Illinois’ average rainfall was about an inch wetter than normal for last week, says Mark Schleusener, state statistician for the USDA in Illinois. He says the rains were not unwelcome.… MORE
Category Archives: Agribusiness
An Illinois manufacturer is helping out around the state
Workers at a Springfield nursing home will be sporting John Deere products now… MORE
First week of June was good for farmers
The first week of June was a good one in the fields, says the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.… MORE
Compared to last year crop progress is great
Illinois crops are coming along – USDA state statistician Mark Schleusener says the progress is close to normal, but fantastic compared to the late, wet 2019.… MORE
A wet start to planting but not like last year
Central Illinois was too wet for much planting last week, according to the latest USDA crop report.… MORE
State’s planting season off to a good start
The state’s two major cash crops have begun 2020 on a strong note.… MORE
Illinois agriculture will feel impact of crisis
The worldwide coronavirus crisis will have an impact on Illinois agriculture.… MORE
IDPH: Fourth person tests positive for coronavirus
The Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health Monday announced that a fourth Illinois resident has tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus.… MORE
From boom to uncertainty, a volatile decade for Illinois farmers
Looking back over the last decade in Illinois agriculture, Illinois Farm Bureau Senior Economist and Policy Analyst Michael Doherty said it started with a bang but has since deflated. … MORE
LaHood attends signing of ‘Phase One’ trade deal with China
The U.S. and China on Wednesday signed a “Phase One” trade deal that includes pledges from Beijing to more than double its purchases from American farmers in the first year.… MORE
Blogs
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…
Everyone counts and you could make the difference
By Mike Matejka How many federal dollars will there be for road repairs? To feed hungry families? How many Illinois representatives will there be in Congress? Are Illinois communities going to get their fair share? There’s only one way to ensure our community gets treated properly – answer the census. The every ten year U.S. census,…
Reactions to the “A Community in Conflict” exhibit
By Mike Matejka Every community has its home-town pride; Bloomington-Normal is proud to claim Steak n’ Shake and MASH TV star McLean Stevenson. We’ve also had a moment of contention and conflict. Sometimes these are uplifting stories of human progress. At other times, they cause us to shake our heads and wonder why. The McLean…