RFD Today April 18, 2025

Monthly check-in with licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown.  Illinois Corn Marketing Board member Terry Smith provides an update.  Andrea Duncan with Carlinville Tourism gives us a history lesson on the Macoupin County Courthouse.  Learning about Pivot Energy with Nate Mendez, Illinois territory manager.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses a number of issues, including Family Farm Preservation Act and trade.   Catching up with Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher.  Sherrard FFA President Levi Schurr promotes a Livestock Fitting Clinic.  Pioneer agronomist Jason McVicker provides an update along the I-80 corridor in northern Illinois. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely takes a deep dive into the "2025 Tax Debate". A chat with Cook County Farm Bureau leadership--President Janet McCabe and Vice President Gerry Kopping. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recaps spring weather thus far and discusses the outlook for the remainder of April and all of May.   

Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team members Alex Paul and Janella Neary highlight the strength of 4-H across the state.   Joel Barickman provides a CropWatcher report from Livingston County.  Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs historian David Engelbrecht talks the importance of county fairs in Illinois.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.   

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities provides his latest "Seven with Kevin" segment.  An update from American Farmland Trust.A local effort in Golconda to refurbish an 1887 building into a community center.  We meet Jersey-Greene County Farm Bureau Manager Macey Wellhausen.

We visit with western Illinois native Jon DeClerck. He is being honored by the Texas Tech Department of Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame, earning the Graduate of Distinction with Advanced Degree Award.Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo promotes the Market Maker local foods directory.  Bryan Thomas, Specialty Crops Portfolio Manager at Bayer Crop Science discusses grain sorghum products.

District 3 FCAE Program Advisor Allie Bode provides an Illinois ag education update. Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs with some reminders for Financial Literacy Month.  Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council discusses steps in changing your self-care routine. A Pioneer agronomy segment from southern Illinois with Jeremiah Jones. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow recaps his 29th Illinois Ag Legislative Day.CropWatcher Ken Taake provides an update from Pulaski County in southern Illinois. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg discusses Nutrient Stewardship Field Days and pollinator grants.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks more rain in the forecast for the remainder of April. 

Monthly visit with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.Update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for April, Isabella Bunting from Dwight Township High School.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.