Casey’s is supporting 4-H youth programs this fall and will match guest donations up to $150,000.

Illinois Agri-Women has established the Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America event and awards.

International trade, national barrow competition and local 4-H and FFA activities have kept Dan Parker on the run since he met with AgriNews a month ago.

Agricultural students at Illinois Valley Community College will have the opportunity to study in the new Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center.

The dairy checkoff has introduced Smart Swaps, a dairy-focused initiative designed to help schools meet evolving nutrition standards and student expectations.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association announced a new livestock apprenticeship program that has recently been registered with the U.S. Department of Labor with the help of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

After enjoying the Labor Day weekend, the Illinois FFA major state officers were back at it with chapter visit rehearsals to help get them better prepared for going on the road.

Milk was named the official beverage of high school athletics in Indiana by American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. and the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

Reed Farms will host the state and national corn husking contests this October.

The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture will host the 30th annual Agricultural Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct.1 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has opened applications for spring 2026 semester internships in the association’s Colorado headquarters and D.C. office.

This year I had the crazy idea that a duck would be a nice addition to the farm. Well, in the end I ended up with six ducks.

Illinois Farm Bureau recently selected three students for the Illinois Veterinary Student Loan Program, which aims to support the next generation of veterinarians focusing on caring for food animals.

Western Illinois University Professor Emeritus Andy Baker was recognized with the honorary American FFA Degree, a national award given to individuals or organizations for exceptional services to agricultural education or the FFA.

Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s a busy season on the farm and in Farm Bureau. Harvest is well underway, Congress is heading back into session, and Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy is shaping up for the new year.

Dairy Management Inc. is accepting entries for its 2026 New Product Competition, inviting undergraduate and graduate students across the United States to develop innovative dairy-based products that meet today’s consumer demands for bone and muscle health and weight management.

Brazilian beef imports are accelerating the ongoing contraction of the U.S. cattle industry by displacing domestic cattle producers, their cattle and domestic feedlots — and this is weakening America’s ability to be self-reliant in beef production.

Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, which will be held for the first time in downtown Nashville.

Graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal science are encouraged to apply for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program.

There’s something deeply gratifying about reporting on 4-H and FFA members who are raising animals, showing livestock and learning responsibility through hands-on work.

I’m hustling to keep up with the grass growth and mow under the fence to keep the volts up and my high school help went back to school.

Nathaniel will be marketing his first-ever pastured organic broiler crop as his entrepreneurial debut.

Our county fair is underway and my granddaughter has three of her Shetlands at the 4-H and junior shows.

The Parkers wrapped up a successful weekend at the Illinois State Fair livestock show and returned to their farm with ribbons in hand.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the Sale of Champions at the 2025 Illinois State Fair — the premier auction showcasing the top livestock exhibited by Illinois 4-H youth.

Sixty-five young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” during the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

Greg Peterson is in his fourth decade as “Machinery Pete” — and, no, he hasn’t seen it all.

Farm Rescue and FFA will be the beneficiaries as part of a larger auction during the Farm Progress Show.

Champions were crowned in the Supreme Drive at the Indiana State Fair.

The Lake County Fair hosted its inaugural 4-H Urban Ag Expo, highlighting the talents of 11 young people who participated in the county’s new urban agriculture program.

With one of his final gifts, the late farmer Gene Daiber is planting seeds for the next generation of agriculture leaders in the St. Louis metro area.

From the moment the team was elected on June 12, everything changed in the everyday lives of the six new Illinois FFA major state officers.

Visitors at the Half Century of Progress will have a chance to bid on three Stor-Loc toolboxes and support the future of agriculture at the same time.

After undergoing a rigorous judging process, 20 farmers were identified as the Illinois Soybean Association’s third class of Illinois 20 Under 40 farmers.

University of Illinois alumnus Eric Hodel didn’t begin his career expecting to lead one of the nation’s largest faith-based food banks.

Many of us grew up in homes where words like “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” were as routine as brushing your teeth. These were not just phrases. They were signs of character.

The herd at the University of Illinois dairy farm provides animals for research projects, as well as an opportunity for students to learn about dairy herd management.

All the feed for the University of Illinois farms — including poultry, beef, dairy and swine — are formulated at the Feed Technology Center.

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the return of its annual College Aggies Online scholarship program.

As the Indiana State Fair approaches, Jeanette Merritt is preparing for two of her favorite weeks of the year.

Incorporating cover crops into their regenerative farming system has been a learning process for the Riskedal family this spring.

We should be back in the sheep barn this year with some lambs my granddaughter is bringing for the 4-H show.

There will be at least three more pasture walks put on by the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition coming up.

William Henert spends a significant amount of his time during this period of the growing season spraying crop protection products on the corn, soybean and seed corn crops on the northern Illinois farm.

This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 243 veterinary shortage areas across 46 states — the highest number recorded.

Imagination and growth fuel farming. Farmers and ranchers survey fields, flocks, herds and orchards, imagining the possibilities.

CattleCon 2026 is heading Feb. 3-5 to the heart of downtown Nashville, and it’s time to get involved in the largest cattle industry event of the year.

Dan Parker and family had a full schedule since AgriNews’ last visit in late May, including the FFA convention and the opening of fair season.

Midwest Dairy announced that five students will receive $1,000 over the 2025-2026 academic school year to study agriculture education, dairy science, applied sciences and animal science, starting this fall at the college or university of their choice.

A wise-old rancher told me last year, “I can lead you to knowledge, but I can’t make you think.”