FarmWeekNow

12/24/2025

If you're not one of the roughly 300 Illinois families enjoying a Christmas tree grown at Krone Christmas Tree Farm in Sangamon County, there's always next year to consider purchasing a real tree — especially since the farm is gearing up for an expansion.

The Krones planted 1,000 trees about three years ago to keep up with increasing demand, but it will still be several years before those trees are ready. Fortunately, the Krones' two adult children plan to continue with the farm, which started with a single tree back in 1979.

“In the beginning, it wasn’t for money; it was just to plant trees instead of buying them. But soon friends and family wanted them too,” Randy Krone told FarmWeek.

The little plot of nearly five decades ago is now a multigenerational endeavor — something worth celebrating this Christmas. 🎄

You can read the full FarmWeek features on Krone Christmas Tree Farm at the link below.

12/20/2025

Most of the year, the barn that Tammy Brink's grandfather built is a working barn.

But in December, its purpose shifts.

This year marks the 20th year that the Madison County family has turned the barn into a vintage manger for their annual Christmas in the Barn service.

In this week's episode of Vintage Country, RFD Radio's Rita Frazer talks with Brink about the family farm's heritage and the 1917-era barn that's still standing tall today.

Listen to the full episode at the link in comments.

12/18/2025

Bill Graff, FSA State Executive Director, reminds farmers that December 19 is a key deadline. To qualify for Bridge Assistance Payments, producers must have their FSA-578 Report of Acreage filed and up to date. All acreage reporting must be submitted by Friday at 4:00 p.m.

🎧 Listen to the RFD interview here ⬇️

FSA State Executive Director Bill Graff joins Rita Frazer on RFD Radio for his first appearance since being appointed to the role in May. Graff explains what's new in the

12/17/2025

What's on Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello's wish list for the new year?

He talks about all that and more in the latest episode of Taking Stalk.

Costello joins RFD Radio's Rita Frazer to take a look back at the stories that shaped Illinois agriculture in 2025 — from state fair milestones and infrastructure upgrades to an uptick in wheat acres and expanded meat and poultry inspections.

They also dig into the pressures farmers are facing, the impact of tariffs and why strong trade relationships matter more than ever.

Don't miss a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the wins, the worries and what's ahead for Illinois ag.

https://www.farmweeknow.com/podcasts/

12/15/2025

Congratulations to Reed Weber, a junior from Ridgeview High School, who's been named Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for December!

The McLean County teen is the treasurer of Ridgeview FFA Chapter, serves on the student council, is active in 4-H and helps promote the Cliff Kauffman Memorial Tractor Drive each year in Arthur.

Ultimately, however, his heart is with the family farm.

“My first memories are just going out there, being in the field with my dad from planting and spraying to combining,” Weber said in an interview. “Just being out there in the field is always a good time.”

Read his full story or listen his appearance on RFD Radio at the link in comments.

12/13/2025

Who's got the best high school gym in Illinois?

A new book started with that question as its premise.

In this week's episode of Vintage Country, RFD Radio's Jim Taylor speaks with photojournalist Vincent Johnson, who visited around 200 high school gyms across the state, documenting their histories and their architecture.

"The main thing was, there's always a debate about who's got the best gym in the state. A lot of people will say this, that or the other thing and I was like, 'Oh this should be pretty easy to figure out,'" Johnson tells Taylor. "It got so much more detailed than I ever thought it was going to be."

Listen to the full episode at the link in comments.

12/11/2025

More than 2,000 people turned out Dec. 6-9 for Illinois Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting in Chicago this year — up by more than 200 compared to last year!

Plus, the number of Collegiate Farm Bureau members who attended was double that of last year, around 140 this year. New this year, COUNTRY Financial helped sponsor a new table specifically for them.

From County Awards of Excellence to the winner of the Young Leaders Discussion Meet to $75,000 raised for the IAA Foundation, there was so much to celebrate at this year's Annual Meeting.

Check FarmWeekNow.com or stay tuned for your paper copy on Monday as we wrap up our coverage of !

12/09/2025

Join us in congratulating Bureau County farmer Evan Hultine on being re-elected as vice president of Illinois Farm Bureau. Vice President Hultine has served as Bureau County Farm Bureau president, Young Leader Committee Chair, and IFB vice president since 2023.

https://on.ilfb.org/4ossC31

12/09/2025

Join us in congratulating LaSalle County farmer Philip Nelson on being elected president of Illinois Farm Bureau. President Nelson has previously served as LaSalle County Farm Bureau president, IFB vice president, IFB president and Illinois Director of Agriculture.

https://on.ilfb.org/4ossC31

12/07/2025

Livingston County's Kade Hill is this year's Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Discussion Meet winner.

And victory came despite Hill not being asked a single question on the topic he was most prepared to talk about: Succession planning.

"It was a great discussion, very enjoyable,” Hill told FarmWeek's Phyllis Coulter of the final competition that was narrowed down from 28 competitors at the Illinois Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Read his story at the link in comments.

12/06/2025

After 10 years at the Illinois Farm Bureau boardroom table, District 3 Director Jeff Kirwan is retiring.

The Mercer County farmer may have been soft spoken, but his words often commanded attention.

His expertise and knowledge, especially in areas including crop insurance and the farm bill, will be missed, but not gone from IFB entirely: Kirwan is now heading IFB's first-ever farm bill working group.

The decision to retire, he said, was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family.

“I definitely don’t want to have any regrets,” he said. “ I just want to make memories.”

A new District 3 Director will be elected this weekend.

Read Kirwan's full story at the link in comments.

12/04/2025

While many are looking ahead to Illinois Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting this weekend, Stephen Riskedal is looking back on his year as chair of Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee.

In an article for FarmWeek, Riskedal said his time as Young Leader Chair has reminded him of what it's like to farm alongside his grandpa.

They farm together, but their methods are different.

They've made mistakes, but they've learned from them and have positioned their farm better for the future.

Change hasn't always been easy, but they've trusted the process.

"The past year has been a rewarding experience and gave me better insight into the innerworkings of our organization and its commitment to our members. IFB's focus on farmers, meeting their needs, and setting our organization up for future success is unwavering," Riskedal writes. "I'm proud to be part of Illinois Farm Bureau — and I hope my time as Young Leader Chair made my grandpa proud, too."

Read his full Perspectives piece ahead of Monday's edition of FarmWeek: https://bit.ly/FWNPerspectives