RFD Today February 17, 2025

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow. We visit with Cook County Farm Bureau member Kayla Biegel, who is participating in the Illinois Farm Bureau ALOT program. Highlighting the Joliet Junior College Collegiate Farm Bureau with interviews from Kirstyn Lucht and Sean Morris.  

Celebrating National FFA Week with Illinois FFA State Secretary Owen Torrance. We highlight the Village of Tampico celebrating its Sesquicentennial  this year and also its legacy to President Ronald Reagan with Sean Sandrock from the Reagan Community Center.  We learn about the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program with Tim Marten from Montgomery County.  

Coverage of the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference as we chat with IFB President Brian Duncan, IFB Director of Local Government Brenda Matherly, and Champaign County Farm Bureau Executive Director Kirk Builta. Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Catching up with National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider during National FFA Week.Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely discusses the latest USDA Farm Income Forecast.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks changing weather pattern.  

We celebrate National FFA Week with Mindy Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the Illinois FFA Center. KJ Johnson highlights Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association trainings. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a shortened market week.

We meet farm broadcaster Kailey Foster from RFD Radio Network affiliate WRAM in Monmouth. In memory of late Illinois FFA state officer Jennifer McCaw Zecher, we hear the story of her blue jacket being presented to a local chapter. Also, updates from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel and IFB Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine.   

We highlight next month's Women in Agriculture Conference with keynote speaker Brooke Taylor from The Rural Gone Urban Foundation.  We learn about becoming a lineman with Kevin Place, who serves as Director of Training from Ameren Illinois. 

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses 30-day suspension of poultry exhibition & sale events in response to avian influenza concerns.  Coverage of this week’s Illinois Pork Expo with National Pork Board member Neal Hull.  An Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation update.  David Whittaker from the Illinois State Police talks mock inspections at last week’s Midwest Truck and Trailer Show in the Peoria.  

Rita Frazer speaks with Precision Plantings Jason Webster to get his Top 10 ROI's from the last growing season.  We then get a weather report from Paul Otto, Freese Notis weather.

Coverage from the Midwest Truck & Trailer Show and the WIU Ag Mech Club Show.  We then meet the Actively Engaged Student of the month, Rachel Eckert from Henry Senachwine HS.  Wrap up with a preview of the market week with Joe Camp, Commstock Investments.