The news that the USDA’s declared all of Illinois a disaster area is a relief to many of the state’s farmers.… MORE
Category Archives: Agribusiness
Butter cow unveiled at Illinois State Fair
No matter what other states do, you can count on seeing a cow made out of butter at the Illinois State Fair.… MORE
Fields finally drying out for Illinois farmers
Illinois farmers are finding the weather has stabilized.… MORE
Crop Statistician: May not be too late to have a good 2019
It may not be too late for Illinois farmers to have a good 2019.… MORE
LeRoy job fair planned after shock of plant closing
The City of LeRoy has organized a job fair after one of the city’s largest employers suddenly closed its doors this week.… MORE
Employees Given No Warning Before Plant Closure
When a meeting was called for 7:00 AM, they knew to expect the worst.
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“Shock and sadness” over LeRoy plant closing
The mayor of McLean County’s third largest city urged the public Wednesday night to show caring and compassion for the dozens of people who lost their jobs earlier in the day at the Pioneer Hi-Bred plant.… MORE
New county board member hopes to be “voice for agriculture”
A third generation farmer is the newest member of the McLean County Board.… MORE
Crop report: corn and soybeans have begun reproduction
The headline for this week’s USDA crop report might be “Better Late than Never,” but that phrase could also include a question mark?… MORE
Illinois offering incentive for summer cover crops on farms after flooding
The state of Illinois is willing to pay farmers to plant cover crops on their fields to help them deal with historic flooding. … MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
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…