Central Illinois Farm Network

By Kent Casson With warmer temperatures and sunshine returning to Central Illinois, large equipment is filling the roadways for another spring planting season. Here is my semi-annual article on staying safe out in farm country for the next couple of months as farmers work to put the 2026 crop in the ground. Farmers should plan their travel on busy roads, avoiding rush hours and the time before daylight and after dark. The proper reflective Slow Moving Vehicle emblem must be u

In Michigan alongside U.S. Representative Tom Barrett, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the availability of over $275 million in grant funding in FY2026 for the specialty crop industry in the United States through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP). Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, USDA is able to provide $175 million per year for SCRI

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is now accepting applications for one Board Director position. ASA Board Directors may serve a maximum of three, three-year terms. The Board Director currently seated is eligible for two additional terms. ASA Director eligibility requirements indicate that candidates: Must be a member of the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG), an affiliate of the American Soybean Association (Visit www.ilsoygrowers.com to join) Must be a producer of soybeans

By Kent Casson As the old saying goes – you have to make hay while the sun shines. That’s what we did the other day as our planting season got off to a rather quick start. Once we got the bean planter set and a few minor adjustments out of the way, we were off and rolling before some rainy weather set in. As of this writing, we have not put corn in the ground yet, but I’m hoping that will change in the coming days as both planters will be going full force. It always feels goo

Nominate an outstanding farmer under the age of 40 for the Illinois Soybean Association’s fifth class of 20 Under 40 Farmers, a program celebrating the young leaders shaping the future of Illinois agriculture. Open to farmers of all commodities and operation sizes, the Illinois 20 Under 40 Awards recognize those who show up early, stay late and still find time to give back to their farms, their communities and the industry. Nominations must be submitted no later than Sunday

Photo via Vivid Studios The 2026 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Pageant will be held on Monday, June 15, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Any interested young lady at least 16 years old and not older than 21 by January 1, 2027, is eligible to participate. Other requirements are that the individual must either; live in Ford County, currently attend or be a graduate of a Ford County school, or be a participant in Ford County 4-H sponsored activities. An Inf

As a dedicated champion of the McLean County Fair for generations, McLean County Farm Bureau plans to invest $1 million over the next three years in vital improvements, maintenance, and upgrades to the fairgrounds. “We’re proud of our long history of support for the McLean County Fair and the facilities at the fairgrounds,” says Darren Davis, who serves dual roles as the President of both the McLean County Farm Bureau and the McLean County Fair boards. “Investing in our fairg

By Kent Casson I like to compare the growing season to a game broadcast. We are now in the pre-game segment and it could be a long game ahead. Starting lineups feature the farm helpers and equipment used in the field. Next, we analyze the “keys to the farming game.” These would include ways to win out in the field with the proper market strategies and equipment maintenance. Predictions are made during this time too – such as what kind of season we will have. While timeouts ar

The National Center for Beef Excellence (NCBE) announces the hiring of Jake W. Renner as executive director, effective April 1, 2026. Renner brings a background spanning extension, breed association work, and agricultural business development, positioning him to lead the organization’s next phase of growth and industry engagement. The National Center for Beef Excellence is a producer-focused organization that supports breed associations and cattle producers through registry

During the United States Identity Preserved Alliance Annual Meeting in Chicago, three board directors were reelected – Jake Noll with Richland IFC, Chuck Kunisch of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and Curt Petrich with H.C. International – and officers were selected for 2026-27, with Bryan Severs reappointed chair. “I’m excited to lead this organization for another year,” said Severs, who raises soybeans, corn and cattle in Illinois. “The U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance i