Russ Hiatt of Hiatt Farmland Service in Champaign says that could leave the farmland market “in a holding pattern.” Hiatt has seen these types of cycles before during his 42-year career in farm management, and shares his 2023 outlook.   Read more

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood discusses policies like the License Act and the Drive Safe Act that streamline the driver education process and gives young drivers the ability to cross state lines. He also discusses how ag and transportation can be represented in the farm bill and other policies impacting ag. Listen to his interview with RFD’s Jim Taylor from the Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show.

Farmers, gardeners, government officials, schools and others in urban areas planning ag projects and innovative production can apply for a USDA grant until March 27. Projects may target food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers and plan development related to zoning and other urban production needs.     Read more

 The organization brought back a farmer panel at the Illinois Dairy Summit to give farmers a way to connect with experts and each other and learn about changes they can make that will directly impact profitability. On the policy side, IMPA says dietary guidelines and farm bill discussions will also be a focus this year.     Read more

  After filling a record 139 teacher openings last year, school districts across the state have plans to open, reopen or extend agriculture education programs. Advisers with Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education detailed several district’s plans to grow, but noted more teacher openings still exist. Read more The new year is bringing new opportunities for students at Crete-Monee High School. Ninth through 11th graders can enroll in agriculture courses this fall and join FFA, which hasn’t been offered since the 1970s. Ben Deutsche, a junior, said he’s been trying to bring back ag and FFA for almost two years. “To

Decatur schools are addressing ag workforce challenges with a 22,000-square-foot Dwayne Andreas Ag Academy FFA Ag Education Center and Illinois Agri-Food Alliance is launching a new initiative, Agnitor, which offers career chats with industry professionals. Learn how these offerings are growing urban students’ interested in ag careers.   Read more