RFD Today December 28

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes talks about her role as a 4H club leader and then segues into a pest update. University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Ken Johnson discusses pumpkin selection.  Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems provides an update. 

Heather Chambers, breast health navigator with OSF Healthcare Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, discusses Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Kevin Daugherty provides an Illinois Ag in the Classroom update. We highlight an expamle of FFA in action with Stewardson-Strasburg ag teacher Jennifer Barker. 

Susan Sams with the Energy Assistance Foundation discusses the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Program that is available in the Ameren Illinois service territory.We meet the president of the Illinois State University Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter, Beth Clark. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick looks at a dry October forecast. 

Melody Rosche Illinois Farm Bureau Local Government Research Specialist & Ryan Tate, IFB Associate Director of Local Government details the IFB Agritourism Zoning Map Project and the launch of the 2024-2025 Rural Development Grant Program.Jimmy Ayers from Sangamon County provides a CropWatcher report.Monica Nyman from the St. Louis District Dairy Council talks youth and teen nutrition.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.An update from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Develpment Raghela Scavuzzo.Lock and Dam discussion with Paul Rohde from the Waterways Council and Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel. DeLoss, Jim, and Rita finish the show with Pigskin Pickins'. 

Tim Killeen, President of the University of Illinois System visits with Illinois farm Bureau President Brian Duncan.  Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown talks mental health issues. Tim Thompson, Vice Chair of Illinois Corn Marketing Board highlights partnerships with groups like the Illinois Farm Bureau & Illinois Livestock Development Group as well as the corn check-off investments that benefit all of Illinois ag.

We learn about EarthOptics from Mike Tweedy.We visit with Aidan White and Carmela Key with the Hinckley-Big Rock FFA Chapter. We get an update from Darin Copeland at Prairie Farms Dairy. 

An update from the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025. We visit with Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association.Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses tropical moisture impacting Illinois later this week.  

Katie Lemenager, Illinois Department of Agriculture International Marketing representative, details the success of the recent International Grain Buying Tour in the state.Larry Hummel from Lee County provides a CropWatcher report.Coverage from last month's Farm Progress Show, featuring Brandon Geiger, a seventh-generation farmer and owner of Geiger Ag at the Corteva Agriscience tent and Bergen Nelson, Go To Market Manager for Combines at John Deere. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.

“Seven with Kevin” featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse talks Farm Bill.Helen VanBeck with American Farmland Trust discusses the “Find Tool" through the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.DeLoss, Jim, and Rita finish the show with Pigskin Pickins’.