RFD Today September 18, 2025

Illinois Farm Bureau in action with Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel, Associate Director Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo, and Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg. Plus, a spotted lanternfly update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes.  

Illlinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan talks farm safety and "Leaders to Washington" program.University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson discusses extending the vegetable gardening season.Christina Shutt highlights the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's 20th anniversary.John Mays tells us about Bug Free Grains.

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse recaps the latest "Leaders to Washington" visit.  Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard and Illinois Specialty Growers Association talks fall agritourism season.  Weather update from DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.  

Monthly update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association. Stephanie Liefer provides a CropWatcher report from Randolph County. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for September Louis Barnes from Pleasant Hill High School in Pike County.  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. Monthly visit with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.Affiliate chat with WRMJ's Ty Taylor.Pgskin Pickins' with DeLoss, Jim, and content coordinator Collin Schopp filling in for Rita.  

Monthly visit with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.Pest update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes.  Illinois Farm Bureau Nurse Practitioner Scholarship recipient Amber Sowers from Jasper County.  Talking agritourism with Regan Joehl at Greene Fields Farm in Greene County. 

Coverage from a visit to the Crete-Monee High School community food plot in Will County. Guests include students Gerard Fleming and Malachi Cliff, University of Illinois College of ACES reps Anthony Studer and Marie Shaffer, Dakari Howard from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Crete-Monee High School ag teacher Rebecca Biernacki.  

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs with monthly update.Gallatin County Fair and All Star Popcorn Day with Mariah Knight.Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses the Electric Service Broadband Deployment and Access Law. Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather talks a warm up in the forecast.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Youth and Collegiate Program Coordinator Taylor Hartke promote Collegiate Farm Bureau kickoffs around the state. Ron Haase provides a Crop Watcher report from Iroquois County.Lance Nacio from Anna Marie Seafood Company in Louisiana on his visit to this year's Farm Progress Show.  Joe Camp from Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

An update on the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2027. IHSA historian Scott Johnson on 125 moments in 125 years of the IHSA, which was founded in 1900.Pigskin Pickins' with DeLoss, Jim and Rita.