Brad Zimmerman’s father, Phil, was an early adopter of no-till and always looking for ways to improve his farm. He is now carrying on the idea of looking outside the box with an even more holistic approach to crop production that focuses on plant and soil health.

Once we got going, spring went really quick. We had a window there from mid-April to the end of April where a lot of guys went and then the last 10 days has just been hammer down and get her done.

Growing your own produce can be done in a water-wise way. Here are tips from experts on how to get started.

Rural Investment to Protect our Environment welcomed the Illinois Soybean Association to its Steering Committee.

Farming is a gamble every year when challenged by the weather and the cost of crop inputs, so there is no thought of gambling the future of the farm away at the casino.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition and the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will host the 2026 Heart of America Grazing Conference on July 15–16 in Effingham.

Illinois Farm Bureau will host 14 Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this summer for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

In May, grass is growing fast, and it’s easy to get ahead of yourself and move too quickly. Instead of sticking to a pre-set plan, watch what the plants are doing.

Mark Read has been involved in his community in a variety of roles over the years, and after retiring from farming, he was able to expand his volunteer work to well beyond north-central Illinois.

As we see more solar fields dotting our rural landscape, it’s understandable to question if this is the best use of our productive Illinois land.

Farmers are entering the critical spring planting season under a cloud of uncertainty as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupts global trade, causing fertilizer and diesel costs to spike.

When Jay Whalen was hired as a seed specialist 17 years ago, he began using his farm for testing the company’s various products.

Dallas Conrad is building a legacy for the next generation on his central Indiana farm with the help of Meristem Crop Performance.

In 1920, Daniel Chapman’s great-grandpa Ritchie started farming the land using horses. Since then, each generation of the family has worked to leave a legacy for the next.

Planting corn and soybeans on Bell Family Farms has started for the 2026 growing season.

A garden is a structure, and like any structure, it requires a good foundation. That’s where soil health comes in.

With prices for many things creeping up this year, gardeners shopping for supplies might be looking to tighten their tool belts.

Farmland prices are expected to decrease from 1% to 5% this year, according to Illinois professional farm managers.

The 2026 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day will be held July 16, hosted by Purdue University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Purdue Extension.

For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the backbone of rural communities and a driving force in our nation’s economy.

A “From Field Tile to Tap” tour demonstrated what farmers can do on their farms to protect drinking water sources downstream.

With field preparation starting and planting fast approaching, it is important to know your soil moisture status, says Jim Henry.

Precision Conservation Management has been selected as a recipient of funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Partners Program, part of $8.7 million awarded nationwide to support on-the-ground conservation efforts.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is relaunching the Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience, or I-COVER, Program to promote the early establishment of cover crops using new techniques or technology.

It is important to take time to evaluate field conditions early in the spring, especially the soil moisture status, says Jim Henry.

Greg and Janis Thoren are the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.

As days lengthen and soil temperatures begin inching upward, cool-season forages slowly wake from dormancy.

Minerals are essential for normal function of sheep and deficiencies in any of them can negatively impact health and performance.

The Morrow Plots, famed in song and story, represent the oldest continuously running agricultural experiment in North America.

When we drone seeded clover on the wheat last February it had just a little green, but I was hoping it would soon look better and it does.

As growers prepare for the upcoming growing season against a backdrop of volatility, like shifting markets, unpredictable weather and accelerating technology, they’ll be faced with higher-stakes decisions and less room for error.

The September-seeded rye really greened up with the rain and temperatures, so some grazing may be taking place soon.

After a wet start to March, Indiana fields are soaked.

Indiana farmers can apply for free soil sampling through a statewide program aimed at improving nutrient management and water quality.

Maximizing ROI isn’t just about how much you apply — it’s about understanding the science behind nutrient efficiency from application to uptake.

Illinois Farm Bureau will host five Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this spring for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

As president of Illinois Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson aims to provide impactful advocacy for farmers in the state.

The Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources program is designed to be free, straightforward, voluntary and locally relevant.

When you understand how to optimize your crop nutrition inputs, you can improve your returns without necessarily increasing your costs.

It doesn’t get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden.

The blue jacket isn’t just something I talk about. It’s something I’ve lived.

AgriNews and Beck’s are proud to announce the Poynter Family of Putnam County as the 2026 Indiana Farm Family of the Year.

Regenerative agriculture is about mimicking nature’s principles, designs and patterns.

University of Illinois Extension’s online-only Crop Management Conference allows more time to plan and strategize with the resources most beneficial to today’s farms from the comfort of home.

Farmers, advisers and conservation professionals looking to sharpen their skills and further Illinois’ stewardship practices are encouraged to apply for the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s Soil Health Leadership Program which is accepting applications through March 1.

The Illinois Agri-Women organization has awarded four scholarships for females studying agriculture.

Committed to protecting Illinois’ resources and the environment through farmer-led, locally-developed programs, Illinois Farm Bureau is awarding a record 34 grants for nutrient stewardship and pollinator projects to county Farm Bureaus across the state.

The Illinois Soybean Association announced Kris Reynolds as the recipient of the 2026 Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed a memorandum to establish priorities for this year’s research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Using feedback from a farmer survey, the Illinois Soybean Association is investing checkoff funds toward research to address those concerns.