RFD Today October 20, 2026

University of Illinois Extension Community Economic Development Educator John Shadowens discusses the challenges of independent grocers around the state. USDA Under Secretary of Marketing & Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins talks National Firewood Month.DTN agriculture meteorologist John Baranick provides November and winter weather outlooks.    

Don Schaefer, President and CEO of Mid-West Truckers Association details the importance of determining "running cost per mile" for truck owners.  Previewing the National FFA Convention with Owen Kocher from the Olney FFA Chapter, a national finalist in Employment Skills.Joe Camp at CommStock Investments previews a new market week.  

Dale Himstedt & Jamie Sample detail an effort called "Grain for the Cure" in Christian County.  Learning about Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions from Kyle King, Head of Digital Farming for BASF.IHSA Friday Friday Friday features Shawn Skinner, head football coach at St. Joseph Ogden High School plus Pigskin Pickins' with Jim, DeLoss & Rita.  

Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. Morgan Cauble, Midwest Watershed Specialist for American Farmland Trust provides program updates.Meeting Wayne and White County Farm Bureau Manager Doug Anderson.Sean Welch, Associate Director of Student Recognition for Illinois Association FFA details Illinois' presence at the National FFA Convention later this month.  

Illinois State Police Public Information Officer Ryan Wagand discusses a myriad of traffic safety issues. Matt Raben, Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board highlights the significance of the proposed expansion at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at SIUE. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel provides more insight on the federal and state executive orders involving dyed diesel fuel.  

Previewing Illinois' presence at the National FFA Convention later this month Sean Welch, Associate Director of Student Recognition at Illinois Association FFA."Tomorrow's Leaders Today" segment includes details of the 2027 Young Leader Conference with Parry Harlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator.  Ryan Murphy, Vice President of Marketing & Communication for Prairie Farms Dairy promotes holiday season products.  Meteorologist Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather talks October weather conditions.  

Highlighting the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for October, Macie Willis from Greenview High School in Menard County.  Nora Beeler from the St. Isidore FFA Chapter discusses her preparation for Creed Speaking at the National FFA Convention. Joe Camp at CommStock Investments previews a new market week. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow discusse executive orders issued this week by President Trump and Governor Pritzker involving dyed diesel fuel use.  Dan Skinner with IDNR talks archery deer hunting season.  IHSA IHSA IHSA Friday features Kevin Lowe, Class of 1971 at Pittsfield High School, part of the teams that won 64 games in a row from 1966 to 1973, still the state's longest high school football winning streak.  Week 8 Pigskin Pickins' with Jim, Rita and DeLoss.  

Matthew Deihl from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum highlights the "Picturing Lincoln" project.  Monthly visit with Lisa Ellis from Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance.Jennifer Russell, Executive Director of the Illinois Lyme Association talks Asian longhorned tick and Alpha-gal syndrome.  

Discussing state and federal legislative priorities with Illinois Soybean Association Director of Government Affairs and Strategy KJ Johnson. Monthly visit with Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems.  University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks fall weed management.