While wet conditions mixed with a cold snap provided tough planting for farmers, recent hot and dry days make the market jittery.… MORE
Category Archives: Ask The Expert: Agriculture
USDA State Statistician: “It’s time to plant crops”
The farmers are taking a look at the possibilities of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. … MORE
PODCAST: Don Meyer, McLean County Ag. History
In his July episode of McLean County Ag History, Don Meyer explains how 88 acres of what was once farmland is tied to local schools, businesses and a wealthy beer baron. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE: … MORE
Ask The Expert: Agriculture Test
If you ate today, thank a farmer.… MORE
Blogs
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…
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,…