Several new features are on tap at this year’s Illinois State Fair, ranging from pickleball tournaments to a Dolly Parton reading program.

Illinois State Fair visitors will see updated security measures at all Grandstand entrances this year.

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.

The theme for this year’s fair sets the tone for an unforgettable journey through all that makes the Illinois State Fair a must-see event — livestock competitions, jaw-dropping performances, thrilling carnival rides, delicious food and nonstop entertainment.

Lena Olson’s love for animals is in her DNA.

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.

Along with cattle sales, junior activities and shows, the Illinois Beef Expo included a trade show where numerous companies provided information to cattlemen at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

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

Strong tradition leads to strong results at the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

George Obernagel of Waterloo was the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s top award, The World of Corn.

Growing specialty crops including vegetables, pumpkins, gourds, mums and gladioli have developed into award-winning projects for Ty Steffen.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced record-breaking attendance totals for the 2024 Illinois State Fair. More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, the highest number on record since industry standards were enacted.

Following a successful year at the Illinois State Fair with more than 70,000 people passing through the FFA Barnyard, the major state officers kept in “fair mode” as they traveled to the Du Quoin State Fair.

One of the goals in FFA is to prepare members “for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”

Disaster assistance for producers and training new staff has been among the many focuses of the Farm Service Agency’s Illinois offices over the last several months.

The Illinois Soybean Association is observing its 60th anniversary this year that will culminate with an awards banquet in November.

For Cliff Behrmann, bacon runs in the blood. Behrmann is the owner of Behrmann Meat and Processing, a business started by his maternal grandfather and Behrmann’s father.

An expanded display promoting state parks and recreational sites was featured in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair.

Confetti, traveling and fair food, oh my. Many people joke that my teammates and I are now “owned” by Illinois FFA.

Richard Lyons of Harvel is the recipient of the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.

A Natural Resources Conservation Service display brought the field to the Illinois State Fair. The tabletop display demonstrated the interaction between water and soils with different characteristics and management practices.

Sixty young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of Grand Champion Overall Master Showman during the 2024 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

Building on two consecutive years of record-breaking attendance, the Illinois State Fair will feature several star performers on stage, new and the usual vendors and a free parking promotion.

The newly remodeled Multi-Purpose Arena will host a variety of family-friendly events during the Illinois State Fair.

For the second year in a row, Midwest Dairy is introducing a Flavor of the Fair ice cream treat that can be found at the Dairy Goodness Bar during the Illinois State Fair.

Three central Illinois farm families were honored for their conservation agriculture efforts.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced an intrastate testing requirement for lactating dairy cattle participating in livestock exhibitions in Illinois to minimize the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has released a new master plan for the Illinois State Fairgrounds aimed at maintaining the core functions of the fairgrounds while increasing its year-round events.

The Illinois Soybean Association will observe its 60th anniversary with special events and commemorations throughout the year.

Three superior members of the Illinois Agri-Women were honored with awards during the group’s annual meeting.

For 2024 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans, being onstage at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield wasn’t that much different from being in a livestock show ring.

For Sandy Hoke, county fair queen pageants aren’t just gowns and crowns. “You learn poise. You learn how to write a proper bio for yourself. You learn how to be interviewed. It opens you up for a whole new direction in your life,” she said.

The new farm bill can got kicked down the road last month with a one-year extension of the 2018 law, but Illinois Corn remains diligent in pushing for new legislation sooner rather than later.

Illinois high school football teams have entered the final weeks of playoffs, but one team already has a championship title.

Not only did Oct. 8 mark the final 85 days of 2023, but Prairie Farms Dairy announced that its 85th anniversary celebration will finish strong with a variety of special activities.

The month of August was very busy for this year’s Illinois Association FFA major state officers. The month kicked off with training from Andrew McCrea, a former national officer.

The upcoming implementation of California Proposition 12 on Jan. 1 and its ramifications is among the primary focuses of the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Chances are anyone who has attended a swine show at the Illinois State Fair and other Midwest shows in the last five decades has seen a Miller family member showing their entries.

A visit to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources exhibit at the Illinois State Fair not only educates but also stirs fish stories. The IDNR fisheries exhibit in Conservation World includes a see-through aquarium featuring sport fish from Illinois’ rivers and lakes.

To commemorate the company’s long-term commitment to the state of Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a proclamation naming 2023 as the 85th anniversary of Prairie Farms Dairy.

The road to Illinois FFA Major State Office is not a smooth path and the officers learn quickly that their term is very busy; however, it is among the most fulfilling journeys on which a teenager can embark.

If someone sounds familiar at the Half Century of Progress Show, that will be the voice of Chris Karr. This is the 11th Half Century of Progress that Karr will announce.

Visitors to the Department of Agriculture tent during the first weekend of the Illinois State Fair were treated to the diversity of locally grown food and products.

Visitors to the Illinois State Fair that kicked off this week and runs through Sunday, Aug. 20, will see numerous infrastructure improvements and more on the horizon.

This year’s Illinois State Fair will feature some changes in the typical days some events will be held in addition to new theme and discount days.

After a major infrastructure overhaul, the Multi-Purpose Arena will be open for this year’s Illinois State Fair, scheduled Aug. 10-20.

More than 630,000 fairgoers will have the opportunity to experience dairy in a new, fun way during the Illinois State Fair.

The Illinois State Fair will feature two initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility and inclusivity for those who suffer from sensory processing disorders.

This year’s Illinois State Fair will feature changes in theme-day schedules, as well as a new theme day and discount days.

The successes by farmers and the accomplishments by the state’s Department of Agriculture were highlighted to open the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable.