It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for agriculture, on top of some very big challenges. Farm Bureau helped farmers and ranchers across the country navigate the roller coaster ride.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program aimed at helping American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.

A new initiative designed to bridge the gap between farmers and partner companies who need their input will be rolled out in early 2026.

The Illinois Milk Producers Association recently recognized Amy Hildebrandt and Tony, Walt and Bobby Graves for their leadership, stewardship and excellence in the dairy industry during the organization’s 2025 annual awards program.

Precision Conservation Management has announced a new supply chain partnership with Kraft Heinz that will support Illinois farmers who implement in-field conservation practices like cover crops, reduced tillage and nitrogen fertilizer reductions.

Mark Bunselmeyer was elected president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association for 2025-2026 at its annual re-organizational meeting.

Several individuals and a family were honored for their contributions in promoting and supporting corn farmers during the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s annual meeting.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association announced that Laura Lant, an agronomist at Midwest Grass & Forage in Macomb, received the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award at the organization’s annual meeting.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association and Precision Conservation Management presented the 2026 Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award to Whalen Farms.

A school principal and two teachers were honored by the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program for their efforts.

The Precision Conservation Management program is wrapping up its 10th year of providing free technical assistance to identify solutions for the environment and farmers’ bottom lines.

Having a well-written farm lease is vital in today’s farm rental marketplace.

After college, Marcus Maier got a full-time job, but he still had the notion of joining the Army in the back of his mind.

Two farms were honored with the inaugural Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing Stewardship Award, presented by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.

Working with consumers who want to learn more about how their food is produced sparked Dan Sanderson to write a book about his regenerative farming practices.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is accepting nominations for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards.

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom is a go-to resource for teachers wanting to help students grow connections to agriculture.

McDonald’s said it plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on cattle ranches.

With the shutdown of the government, there is uncertainty in knowing when we will receive our cost-share funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is now accepting applications.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has released a new “How-To” Video Series designed to give livestock producers quick, practical tools to improve grazing systems and pasture management.

Work at a new research farm dedicated to advancing the Illinois Soybean Association’s farmer-focused efforts was featured at a media event.

The oak forest, meadows, wetlands and prairie at The Blue Farm offer opportunities for guests to learn how to forage for food, attend a class or participate in a group retreat.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that helps landowners fix natural resource concerns on their land.

The Conservation Technology Information Center launched Conservation Connector — a free platform that links producers to conservation incentives and local assistance.

The United Soybean Board tightened its budget belt for the new fiscal year by prioritizing high-impact projects with better return on investment for farmers.

We went from moist to popcorn-fart dry. However, my warm-season annuals loved it. They just kept on growing.

I think we can all agree that the goal of improving health outcomes is a worthy goal — and it is supported by America’s farmers and ranchers.

The Make American Healthy Again Commission released is policy recommendation aimed at addressing chronic childhood disease.

Concerns expressed by agriculture groups when the preliminary Make Our Children Healthy Again draft was issued in May were quelled with the final strategy.

Dan Sanderson is the recipient of the 2025 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.

After years of rising input costs and volatile markets, Illinois farmers finally have updated farm policy that reflects their needs in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” landmark legislation that delivers real, meaningful wins for Illinois farmers.

Eliot Clay didn’t know it in his youth but his later career as an advocate for conservation was in his DNA.

Why wouldn’t you want to farm the land in a way that builds soil biodiversity, delivers a return on investment and restores wildlife habitat?

Numerous organizations sharing common goals aimed at protecting soil health and water quality joined in a “Cultivate Connections” luncheon during Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair.

The Lake County Fair hosted its inaugural 4-H Urban Ag Expo, highlighting the talents of 11 young people who participated in the county’s new urban agriculture program.

A diverse cover crop mix helps build soil organic matter, increase soil water-holding capacity and infiltration, and improve nutrient use efficiency.

The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a Women in Ag meeting — Specialty Crop Production and Our Soils.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition will host two upcoming Grazing Schools, with events scheduled this September in Cambridge and Waltonville.

Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the state’s Department of Natural Resources with a variety of special displays and activities Aug. 7-17.

Indiana farmers planted an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers, according to a recent conservation survey from Indiana Conservation Partnership.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council pulled together experienced farmers to volunteer in a program called Farm Advisors. These farmers want to share with others what has — and hasn’t — worked on their farms.

August recess is a prime time for Farm Bureau’s grassroots members to make their voices heard and share their stories.

A Wisconsin dairy farmer alleged in a federal lawsuit that the Trump administration is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by continuing programs that favor minorities.

Illinois Farm Bureau is hosting Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this summer for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

Agriculture leaders voiced support for the massive spending and tax package bill that includes significant new farm program funding.

As another large dust storm impacted Illinois, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle and stay in the field rather than across roadways.

The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts is sounding the alarm as the fiscal year 2026 state budget continues to underfund the state’s 97 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Despite all his accolades and achievements, Dwight D. Eisenhower remained modest and plainspoken.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has worked successfully through the tension of whether it would still have grant funds for events after the days of DOGE.