Spring 2019 was tough for planting crops, so McHenry County farm John Bartman decided to try something new. “I started researching (lavender) and really thought it would be a good fit on our farm.” While he already grows vegetables and row crops, he thought it would be a good idea to add lavender to the list to better diversify crop production. Bartman believes it will be two years until the crop establishes. He hopes to meet someone who enjoys making lotions and bouquets to offer more options for consumers. He also said he would enjoy having a pick-your-own operation on

The Ag Department shocked traders and farmers June 30 when it pegged corn plantings this season at 91.7 million acres, more than 5 million acres above the average trade guess. “The corn acreage number was a bit of a shock, but I personally don’t believe that number is correct,” said Todd Hubbs, University of Illinois ag economist. “We could have seen the base of corn acres expand. Prevent plant acres could be incorporated in that.” USDA begins the next round of quantifying what exactly got planted in recent months when it resurveys farmers this month to readjust planted acreage estimates

An alligator is living in a lagoon in one of Chicago’s busiest city parks — and officials are working early Wednesday to remove the creature, police said. The gator — estimated to be between 4 and 5 feet long — was first spotted at the Humboldt Park Lagoon on the city’s West Side early Tuesday by visitors who spotted the reptile’s head poking out of the water. Department officials confirmed later Tuesday while working with state reptile specialists that the animal was indeed in the lagoon and would be “humanely trapped” before being sent to a zoo to be evaluated.

A smartphone app is offering rural residents and farmers a unique way to access mental health care and therapy. The app, SilverCloud, debuted in January 2017. SilverCloud connects adults in the OSF Healthcare service area with a system where they can access mental health help and therapy on their own time, in their own homes or offices. “A farmer isn’t worried about going to talk to a doctor about blood pressure, but he might be worried about going to talk to someone about a down mood or the anxiety he’s feeling. SilverCloud gives them the opportunity to have a virtual

U.S. and Chinese trade officials held a “constructive” phone conversation on Tuesday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said, marking a new round of talks after the world’s two largest economies agreed to a truce in a year-long trade war. Kudlow said the talks “went well” and were constructive. He said the two sides were talking about a face-to-face meeting but warned that there was not a magic way to reach what has so far been an elusive deal. (Reuters)

Southern Illinois University (SIU) researchers recently updated farmers on nutrient management and water quality studies, highlighting impacts of excessive rain and flooding. SIU College of Agricultural Sciences sponsored the Field Day on Universities Farm along with the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) and Illinois Farm Bureau. (FarmWeekNow)