Former GROWMARK President John Reifsteck was named recipient of the 2025 Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his lifetime of leadership and service to the agriculture industry.

Mark Gebhards, retired Illinois Farm Bureau executive director of governmental affairs and commodities division and chief strategy officer and adviser to the IFB president, was honored with the IFB 2025 Eagle Award for Excellence.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee elected Garrett Williams of Richland County as its 2026 chair and Michael Bernhard of Kendall-Grundy as vice chair.

When food prices rise, many people assume that eating well is the first thing that has to go. But some of the most nourishing foods in the grocery store are also the least expensive and they’ve been quietly holding the line for years.

The concept of using the immune system to treat cancer is old, but the ability to do so has dramatically improved in the past few years.

The Lunar New Year, as observed in East Asian cultures, occurs on the first day of the first lunar month, not on a calendar date. It is celebrated in China, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and many other countries.

The National Council on Aging has created BenefitsCheckUp.org, which is a one-stop shop for finding help programs. There are 2,000 of them in their database, and it's free to use.

Some cancers can spread to the lungs. While the appearance of nodules on a CT scan in a person with no known cancer would be unusual, if the CT scan in four weeks shows that the nodules are enlarging, then this would be concerning.

Medicare is a pot of gold for scammers. There is a lot of money to be made by those who successfully commit fraud against seniors. You, however, can stop them in their tracks by not falling for the scams.

What cities come to mind when you think of glassmaking? Venice, Italy? Waterford, Ireland? Sandwich, Massachusetts? How about Millville, New Jersey?

I took this picture of the sunrise on Christmas Eve morning. I have shared it with several people — and many of them have said it’s one of the most beautiful sunrises they have ever seen, and I agree. I think God is an amazing artist.

Today’s dry-off challenges look different than those of the past. More cows are entering the dry period at higher production levels — a sign of progress, but one that brings added considerations for cow comfort and mastitis risk.

The Illinois Milk Producers Association recently recognized Amy Hildebrandt and Tony, Walt and Bobby Graves for their leadership, stewardship and excellence in the dairy industry during the organization’s 2025 annual awards program.

Farmers say they are grateful to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

Clean water is essential for every farmer and rancher; we depend on it every day. That’s why we’re encouraged to see the new proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

People don’t buy into what you do or how you do it. They buy into why you do it.

The Illinois Beef Association hosted a Cattlemen’s Gala celebration to raise money and mark the 10th anniversary of the Illinois Beef Foundation.

A documentary called “The Beck Family: A Home-Grown Legacy” has officially premiered and is available to watch for free online.

For over three decades, David Loos was on the frontlines advocating for the develop and expansion of the ethanol industry in Illinois.

The holidays aren’t always an easy time of year. For those experiencing grief, it can be a lonely, painful time.

When Stacy Howard started in the business over 40 years ago, the integration of electronic controls and automation, allowing for precise monitoring and adjustments during the grain drying process, was in its infancy.

The Unzicker family’s move into the forklift business four decades ago began by happenstance.

The long days, unpredictable weather, volatile markets and rising input costs rarely factor into conversations at the grocery store or the checkout line.

It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for agriculture, on top of some very big challenges. Farm Bureau helped farmers and ranchers across the country navigate the roller coaster ride.

It’s not that scammers are getting smarter, but they have a new tool now: artificial intelligence. For our own protection, we need to learn about AI and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

People with Lynch syndrome are at an increased risk for a variety of cancers, especially of the colon, but also other parts of the gastrointestinal tract — stomach, small intestine, pancreas and bile duct.

Sometimes, people like to think of the past as a steady, stable time where tradition ruled the day. Ironically, learning about antiques can prove that notion wrong; and some of the best lessons can come from 19th-century furniture.

Illinois Farmers Union on Jan. 27 will hold its annual meeting where family farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather for a day of educational programming and policy discussion.

In addition to growing food organically, Marty Travis works with numerous Illinois farmers to provide marketing and distribution services that connect them to numerous buyers.

Whiskey Acres Distilling Company, where the corn is grown, harvested and distilled on-site, once again earned top honors at the Heartland Whiskey Competition as Best-in-State for Illinois.

Illinois Soybean Association is excited to celebrate outstanding individuals in agriculture through its annual Achievement Awards.

Farmer Tyler Everett had the ultimate “seat at the table” with President Donald Trump.

At the 2025 Indiana Ag Gathering held at the French Lick Springs Resort, the Indiana Farm Bureau delegate body reelected INFB Vice President Kendell Culp of Jasper County.

“The Pie that Molly Grew” is the 2026 Book of the Year for Indiana Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program.

Baby New Year can grow up fast. The baby pictured here is already shaving.

The sinus of your heart has nothing to do with your nose as you might guess; it’s a structure in the right atrium where blood flows into the heart from the venae cavae.

Before you start taking supplements, talk to your doctor.

Expanding demand to bring profitability back to corn farmers while being “at the table” working with legislators remains top priorities for the National Corn Growers Association.

They say you never know what you have until it’s gone. I agree. My years as the resident barn owl at Wonderland Farms have taught me that many take what they have for granted.

There’s something magical about Christmas on the farm. The stars in the sky reflecting off of a snowy field, the quiet hum of a heater in the barn office and that sense of peace that comes from being surrounded by open space and loved ones.

This Christmas column, first published in 1994, remains the most-requested column ever written by Alan Guebert. Maybe that’s because its lesson is both timely and timeless or perhaps it’s just a warm tale well told.

Honeycomb is gloriously simple, ridiculously inexpensive and one of the most impressive homemade holiday gifts you can whip up with nothing more than sugar, baking soda and 10 brave minutes.

With Christmas just around the corner, Ken Ropp and his staff were busy filling numerous cheese orders for delivery or shipping.

If people invested even a fraction of the money they pour into massive animal “rights” organizations into helping children in this country, the impact could be nothing short of transformative.

The way Beck’s Hybrids approaches its business and makes decisions is different than publicly traded companies.

Jim Henry expects $12 billion relief package to make an immediate impact by providing a lifeline for farmers who work to ensure a healthy, safe and abundant food supply.

What can we learn from this year to help us in the next one?

Holiday entertaining does not have to feel like auditioning for a cooking competition.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a common problem and may be associated with panic attacks and sometimes depression, as well.

When it comes to contemporary glass, the highest prices usually go to sculptural, avant-garde pieces made with unconventional techniques. Simpler, more traditional pieces can be bargains.