Farm Family Life

Agricultural operations in Illinois have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather, tornadoes and flooding.

As more than 1,000 FFA members and their teachers visited the Statehouse, a longtime advocate for those wearing the blue jackets reminisced about how the organization impacted his life.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will host a seminar to explain how an agricultural conservation easement is the only way to ensure that your farm will never be developed.

On my family’s farm, we achieve Earth Day objectives throughout the year, guided by respect for the blessings natural resources provide. We must conserve and protect natural resources to grow food and sustain our farm for future generations.

Acres of plants including cacti, succulents, bedding plants, perennials and orchids are growing in greenhouses at Altman Plants.

The animals are smelling green grass and are tired of eating their winter vittles. The rye looks great, but the cool temps have slowed its growth enough that I have decided to delay the usual turnout a few days.

As we happily say goodbye to winter’s chill and welcome the warmth of spring, nothing complements the season quite like a bowl of Roasted Carrot and Coconut Soup.

The current political news brings concerning thoughts about the economic future of farming as we are faced with higher interest rates, lower grain prices and import markets at risk due to trade wars and tariffs.

With over 90% of the business wholesale, nearly every day is delivery day for Ken Ropp. “I spend a majority of the time on the road,” said the Ropp Jersey Cheese proprietor.

In Italian traditions, Easter marks the end of Lent with indulgent dishes like the Italian Easter Pie, or pizza rustica. This savory pie, like a deep-dish quiche, combines cured meats and cheeses wrapped in a buttery crust — a true festive treat.

While my husband has been busy putting a new floor in a grain bin and getting the planters ready, I have been working lots of overtime preparing farm and individual tax returns.

Meet Mindy Orschell, AgriNews’ new From the Fields contributor in southern Indiana.

The rural version of the Golden Rule is this: Do unto your neighbors’ farms that you’d have your neighbors to do unto yours.

I talk a lot about the importance of community in this column. As destructive storms moved through the heartland, neighbors came together to help pick up the pieces and support one another in times of need.

Twenty-five Illinois Farm Bureau members recently graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills and to become a voice for Illinois agriculture.

Fifty-six farm families received the Hoosier Homestead Award this year in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

The futures market is reacting as expected with all this tariff news creating plenty of uncertainty which usually trends lower as most players look to eliminate risk.

In the United States, farmers and ranchers rank second among laborers with disabilities due to work-related injuries.

Imagine spending just a few minutes preparing ground beef, stepping away, then returning to find perfectly cooked, flavorful meat ready to use.

The first thought we have about those over 55 communities is, sure, others will be like us, our every need and want will be taken care of. But is that always true?

Ceramics collectors know Newcomb College for its famous pottery. From 1895 to the 1940s, students at the college, which was, at the time, Tulane University’s coordinate women’s college, decorated the ceramics that Newcomb Pottery sold

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is still mostly called “trochanteric bursitis,” despite the fact that the hip bursa really isn’t inflamed.

American Farmland Trust focuses on protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land and promoting sound farming practices.

Farmers and ranchers are committed to stewarding the land and protecting the water we depend on. We know firsthand the importance of clean water: it’s essential to our livelihoods and instrumental in providing a safe and abundant food supply.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition announced the recipients of the 2025 Master Grazier Awards at the ILGLC Annual Grazing Conference in Springfield.

When Ken Ropp returned to the family farm in 2000, milk prices were at a then-all-time high and the prospect of him joining in the family dairy business was bright. Six months later, milk prices were at record lows.

Indiana’s agriculture organizations teamed up to bring the farm to Indianapolis on National Agriculture Day.

Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and garages — your fridge could use a refresh, too. Instead of letting half-used veggies or leftover meat linger, turn them into something delicious with a stir-fry.

The many feet of snow on the ground where I live is an indication of just how far I am from starting a vegetable garden this year. However, it’s not too early to start vegetable seeds indoors.

Solar eclipses have fascinated observers for thousands of years. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle pointed to the round shadows that appear during eclipses as evidence that the Earth is round.

“Floaters” are bits of cellular debris in the vitreous humor, which is the gel-filled space in between the lens and the retina.

Attending the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event at Southern Illinois University provided Suma Dommati the opportunity to continue to build her agricultural network.

More than 2,400 students attended a virtual field trip to a dairy farm during National School Breakfast Week.

Food, feed and fuel production is a global business, but it still all comes down to finding the best solutions for individual farmers on their fields.

Are you ready for a culinary journey to the Middle East? Buckle up, buttercup, and bring your taste buds, because today we’re making Mujadara — a simple, satisfying dish of lentils, rice and caramelized onions that prove frugal can also be fabulous.

Many of us have a bread box in the kitchen. It’s usually a simple, purely utilitarian affair made of metal or plastic; nothing as fancy as a carved panetière like this one that sold for $1,408 at Neal Auction.

Data breaches and financial scams against seniors are at all-time highs. What was bad before is apparently even worse now.

Anesthesia does not cause dementia. However, some people do develop a complication called postoperative delirium.

March is a month that I sometimes struggle with. The weather is starting to warm up, then a cold snap comes through. It is a month of anticipation for the upcoming spring and summer projects.

We continue to have lamb customers since March is Ramadan and they come out before, during and after that holiday, and they all want eggs, too, but our supply was limited until just this week when I was able to get some hens from a fellow emptying his barn.

With new administrations come new leadership, new priorities and new regulatory approaches. The recent transition has highlighted policy changes throughout the federal government, including interior enforcement of existing immigration laws.

I saw robins, snow geese and green grass all in the same frame last week — it must be spring!

At a very young age, sisters Claire and Jemma Dorsey started showing cattle, which has developed into a passion and award-winning endeavor.

Save the date for Ag Day at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, in the Commercial Building, April 4-6.

From issues impacting the farm economy, including record costs for labor, interest and taxes, to trade and biofuels, there a lot of challenges facing farmers today. But there also are opportunities, said Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association.

People with unexpected osteoporosis should be considered for celiac disease testing. Celiac disease is a condition of damage to the small intestine due to gliadin sensitivity.

Glass can be notoriously difficult to identify. Signatures, if there are any, can be faked, molds can be reused, and glassmakers often imitated one another’s decorations. Stiegel-type glass is an excellent example.

Sometimes we just don’t want to face the truth, so we ignore it as long as we can. But eventually it becomes clear: We need to downsize.

In her recent AgriNews piece, Matilda Charles highlights the benefits of AARP membership, but leaves out a crucial fact: AARP’s deep financial ties to UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest health insurer.

Happy National Agriculture Week! As the old saying goes, spring has sprung. The question on the tip of the tongue of many people I’ve spoken with recently is: Do you think we are going to get any more wintry weather?