The Illinois FFA S.T.A.R. Conferences empower section officer teams through intensive, day-long training where they master their roles, build regional connections and collaborate with the major state officer team.

Students from the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture earned multiple team and individual honors at the 2026 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging Conference.

Strength in collaboration is the foundation for the Illinois Innovation Network, linking 15 hubs throughout the state that drive research in agriculture and other areas.

Corn and soybean planting is complete on Wessels’ Family Farm in DeKalb County in northern Illinois, even though planting started a little later than originally planned.

Orion Samuelson wasn’t my formal mentor, but he didn’t have to be. His work ethic spoke louder than any lesson plan ever could.

Nick Westgerdes, accredited farm manager, licensed real estate broker in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Illinois auctioneer, announced the launch of New Roots Farm Brokerage LLC.

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

Western Illinois University School of Agriculture will host an open house starting at 9 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the University Farm Livestock Center.

Western Illinois University’s Livestock Judging Team earned national recognition this season, placing in the top five at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City and being named the 2026 National Western Stock Show Senior College Champion Team in Denver.

From conferences to company visits, the Illinois FFA major state officers have stayed very busy over the past month.

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

When a Chicago native Andrea Padilla, a senior agriculture major, returned to higher education after a decade-long hiatus, she didn’t expect her path to lead through Western Illinois University’s agricultural research fields — or to a first-place national research award.

Members of the Western Illinois University Professional Agriculture Students earned seven awards at the Fall 2025 PAS Conference.

Brad Dearing checks all the life-lesson boxes from his experiences in military service, decades as a teacher and owning a farm.

Illinois Agri-Women has established the Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America event and awards.

The earliest winter calvers were moved to corn residue closer to his home and, as mentioned last month, half of the stocker steers grazing the sorghum-sudangrass also were shipped out to a Nebraska feedlot.

After enjoying the Labor Day weekend, the Illinois FFA major state officers were back at it with chapter visit rehearsals to help get them better prepared for going on the road.

The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture will host the 30th annual Agricultural Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct.1 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

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.

Western Illinois University Professor Emeritus Andy Baker was recognized with the honorary American FFA Degree, a national award given to individuals or organizations for exceptional services to agricultural education or the FFA.

The new Illinois Soybean Association chair is a firm believer in achieving goals through collaboration.

Questions and concerns about foreign countries owning U.S. land did not start recently nor will they end anytime soon.

The class of 2025 Farm Credit agriculture scholars was recognized during a scholarship luncheon at Carriage House Event Center in Altamont.

Delegates wrote history at the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention with the vote to add a sentinel to the FFA officer team that now includes six members.

Last month I alluded to an announcement concerning our grazing operation here at River Oak for 2025. So, here it is.

Students at Grant Park learned how to “bend don’t break” during a project developed by the Grant Park FFA Chapter that focused on mental health.

Corn and soybeans are planted at the same time on the Henert farm.

The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture hosted its 53rd annual Bull Test Sale at the WIU Livestock Center.

In reviewing my February writing, I realize that quite a few things actually were finished or at least started in the last month — I am pleased to report that!

A collaborative effort between the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Agriculture will offer a unique educational opportunity for conservation planners.

Western Illinois University agriculture students recently showcased their skills and leadership at the Illinois Spring Postsecondary Agricultural Students competition, bringing home multiple top placements and leadership honors.

Agricultural students at Belvidere North High School learn a variety of skills, including how to raise and care for quail and chickens.

Avery Isringhausen knows firsthand how the connections made at the WIU Ag Mech Club Farm Expo can be helpful.

Trenton Taber, a 2015 graduate of Western Illinois University’s Agriculture Education program, has been named the Region 4 Outstanding Agriculture Teacher by the National Association of Agricultural Educator.

New equipment arrived recently at the Western Illinois University farm.

Matthew Montgomery, of Chatham, was named recipient of the 2024 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Award.

Western Illinois University agriculture alumni and students were recognized nationally for their leadership, achievements and dedication to advancing agricultural education at the 2024 National FFA Convention.

The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture recently hosted its annual alumni panel event, providing current students with the valuable opportunity to connect with successful alumni working in the agriculture industry.

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.

Armyworms are appropriately named. They definitely work like an army, moving their line forward as efficiently and rapidly as possible, attempting to overwhelm the enemy and gain territory.

Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 34 General Use Grants, totaling $190,975.

The month of January saw Illinois FFA’s major state officers get right back into the swing of things. January kicked off with the officers spending a week at the Illinois FFA Center in Springfield.

After they’ve strolled through the Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club’s Farm Expo, WIU alumni are invited to attend an event after the show for an update on the alumni program and to honor five distinguished ag department alumni.

When members of Western Illinois University’s Ag Mech Club arrive early on Friday morning to set up the Farm Expo, they won’t just be showing up for a club activity. They’ll be showing up for prospective employers.

Whether it’s caring for expectant sows, introducing Peoria County fourth-graders to baby pigs or steering the Illinois Pork Producers Association as its new president, Cheryl Cowser Walsh approaches each task with a positive mindset.

Joel Gruver, a professor of soil science and sustainable agriculture at Western Illinois University in Macomb, will receive the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa.

The Illinois Soybean Association doubled the number of soybean production research projects approved for fiscal year 2024.

I am a firm believer in lifelong learning. It seems as though that takes a lot of time these days, as I sometimes struggle with the technology advances and everything being “apps.”

Ted Mottaz was fresh out of college and all set for a career in agriculture education, but Uncle Sam had other ideas.

Sow numbers and farrowing intentions may be dropping in the U.S. swine industry, but productivity remains the big question mark for U.S. hog supplies — and prices — moving forward.