Parts of the state received 2 inches or more of rain over the weekend. And more is on the way, according to Freese-Notis Weather Meteorologist Dan Hicks. “It looks like we’ll have off and on chances returning Wednesday through Saturday,” he said. “Over the next five to seven days, rainfall amounts should probably average near to above normal across the state.”   Read more

Communities in 13 Illinois counties impacted by the outbreak of severe storms in early spring will be eligible for financial assistance. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the U.S. Small Business Administration-approved disaster declarations, which will allow residents, condo homeowners and business owners in the covered counties to apply for low-interest loans for storm damage not covered by insurance.   Read more

Hear the latest research and learn the benefits of pennycress during a May 25 field day at Western Illinois University’s agriculture field laboratory in Macomb. The event is free to the public and no registration is required.   Read more

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is accepting applications to fund projects aimed at creating supply chain resiliency by boosting processing and distribution capacity across local and regional food systems.   Read more

FarmWeek CropWatcher David Schaal was dealing with an abundance of dry and cool weather, but Sunday night’s storm dropped 2 inches of rain. “We were needing some rain. Maybe not this much,” he said. Listen to this update on planting and crop emergence from Fayette County. LISTEN HERE

“Any time you see a situation that improves what you’re doing, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” he said. And that’s what he’s been doing since renting his home farm in 1946. Shirley, 99, discusses his farming career in this week’s View from the Cab.   Read more