President Joe Biden isn’t taking hamburgers away from Americans as part of his efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions. That’s according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who told journalists Monday that a spate of reports in the media linking Biden’s new climate goals to eating less meat simply aren’t true. (Bloomberg)

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs encourages young photographers to submit photographs for the 2021 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest. (Daily Herald

For both China and the U.S., leading the charge against climate change is a geopolitical opportunity unlike any other. And that’s exactly the problem for those hoping the common threat of global warming will improve U.S.-China relations any time soon. (Time)

Farmers in Iowa and Illinois appear to be taking advantage of much higher soybean prices, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture says both states will plant more soybeans for the 2021 growing season. (Quad-City Times)

As of Sunday, Illinois farmers seeded 23% of this year’s corn crop vs. a 28% five-year average. Illinois farmers also have 18% of their soybeans planted vs. a 6% five-year average. (Successful Farming)

The Biden administration on Monday will announce the launch of a summer food program to feed more than 30 million low-income children. It is the latest push by the White House to address widespread hunger and food insecurity in the U.S., one the agency said it believes is the largest summer food program in the country’s history. (NBC News)