Partners

The National Weather Service (NWS) plans some changes when it comes to weather advisories. An assessment of what climate change means to Illinois recently received an update. In the first of a two-part series, find out what both mean to you, with NWS Meteorologist Rafal Ogorek, and Illinois State Climatologist, Trent Ford, Ph.D.

Opportunities abound to explore the heritage behind the food we and the farms that grew and grow it. In this episode, learn about the American Farm Heritage Museum and the historic Marbold Farmstead, both in Illinois with regular hours and special events.

What's in season, and what are some great ways to prepare fresh Illinois-grown fruits and vegetables? University of Illinois Extension Educator Elizabeth Wahle, Ph.D., shares what's coming from the fields, and Partners food writer Jodie Shield shares four quick ways to put them to work.

As we enter peak fresh fruits and vegetables season, how can we be ensured what we select, prepare and eat remains clean and safe to eat? Raghela Scavuzzo, Associate Director of Food Systems Development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Brenda Foos, director of the federal USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services Monitoring Programs Division, share what’s taking place to ensure food safety and offer tips on common sense food preparation practices.

Take a closer look at what’s driving the supplies and costs of some favorite foods that make up the classic American cookout with Veronica Nigh, acting chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Lynn Martz, a Dekalb County crops and livestock farmer.

Partners gardening writer and master gardener Jan Phipps shares what you might want to watch for and do now to keep you gardens growing and producing. Olga Arias, president of the Rainbow Beach Community Garden, the oldest in the Chicago Park District community garden system, describes how their plots are proceeding, a new Cookfresh® grant recently secured from Cook County Farm Bureau, and what it’s like to garden next to the second largest Great Lake.

One of the first coast-to-coast highways to accommodate automobiles takes a scenic and historic route through Illinois. Kay Shelton Kozak, national president and Illinois chapter state director of the Lincoln Highway Association, shares what you’ll experience on the road across Illinois. Jodie Binkley, co-owner of Harner’s Bakeries and Restaurant, shares why you might want to put one of its locations on your list of places to stop during your Illinois Lincoln Highway adventure.

With three young children and twins on the way, this farm family didn’t quite know what the future held when their barn burned three years ago. Illinois farmers David and Katie Vanderstappen share their story on why they were determined to rebuild and what had to take place to be able to welcome their dairy cows back to the home farm.

Shocked about some of the prices you’re paying? The former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Bob Young, examines what we’re paying now and what we might pay in the weeks and months ahead. He’s joined by farmer Brian Duncan, vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, who provides some perspective on factors impacting what he and other farmers grow and produce for our plates.

Popularity of locally-grown, fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and more trended upward even before the pandemic. Find out how farmer Natasha Lewis has kept up with demand from her family’s Big Rock Organics farm in northeast Illinois, along with Cassie Rae, general manager of Farmhouse Meat Company in western Illinois, who talks how to go whole-hog or whole-cow.