Partners

If you’re giving serious thought to purchasing fresh, Illinois-produced meat in bulk, you’ll want to hear from Bethany Petentler, a worker at a western Illinois custom slaughter and meat processor, and University of Illinois meat expert Brandon Klehm. Author Joanie Stiers, who wrote the story in the summer edition of Partners magazine, shares what she learned too.

Meet Partners magazine Prairie State Perspective columnist Joanie Stiers who shares her take on the county 4-H fair experience along with University of Illinois 4-H Director Lisa Diaz, Ph.D, on how county 4-H shows, exhibitions and fairs may change in 2020.

Trying times require creative ways to solve local challenges, especially in recent months. Hear from these county Farm Bureau leaders that outline specific examples of what they’ve been doing to keep food moving where it needs to be, while at the same time, supporting local farmers, businesses and engaging you and other members as we collectively flatten the COVID-19 curve. Guests include Richland County farmer Joel Gardner, Adams County farmer Ben Hugenberg, Carroll County Farm Bureau manager Chas Welch, and Richland County Farm Bureau manager Kenzie Zwilling.

Slim pickings in the meat case or other sections of the grocery have some thinking about raising their own poultry and livestock. Hear from Illinois farmer Joel Reedy, who raises crops and beef, Purdue University food and agricultural economist Jayson Lusk, and University of Illinois Extension educator Teresa Steckler for perspectives on keeping grocery shelves well stocked, what you need to consider if you want to raise your own meat, and how progress is going for Illinois farmers in planting this year’s crops.

A third of Illinoisans lived in rural areas when our last major pandemic hit. Listen to John Gooding, an Illinois farmer, share how his family lost several members to the Spanish Flu a century ago, and to some comparisons and differences explained by Dr. Sana Waqar, M.D., infectious diseases physician with Southern Illinois University Medicine in Springfield.

An Illinois farmer that raises pigs and cattle along with a veteran food and consumer analyst sort out the issues that will determine whether or not we continue to enjoy meat on our plates as usual, or if it might go the way of toilet paper aisle in grocery stores. Polo farmer Brian Duncan, who also serves as vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity, discuss challenges facing livestock farmers, meat processors and other sectors of our food system as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A group of Illinois young farmers and agriculture professionals stepped up and raised funds to help replenish Illinois food banks and pantries. Listen in on Aaron Mitchell, a 28-year old farmer who serves on Illinois Farm Bureau’s (IFB) Young Leader Committee, Steve Ericson, executive director of Feeding Illinois, and Raghela Scavuzzo, IFB’s director of food systems development, as they share thoughts on food availability, efforts to replenish pantry shelves, and the short and long-term future of the food and farming sector as we battle COVID-19.

Find out how some Illinois farmers have changed to meet demand for food while at the same time, ensuring the safety of their workers and the food well all want and eat. Hear from Raghela Scavuzzo, director of food systems development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, Zachary Grant, local food systems and small farms educator with University of Illinois Extension, and Michelle Sirles, whose family operates Rendleman Orchards near Carbondale.

Stay healthy by ensuring these four superfoods, easily grown here in Illinois, are on your menu and in your garden. Partners food writer Jodie Shield, a registered dietitian, reveals what they are – and discusses how she incorporated each in some of her recipes. Partners gardening writer Jan Phipps, a master gardener, shares some dos and don’ts now to get them, and other plants, shrubs and trees in your garden and yard, off to a good start.

This Illinois-based internet technology company recently took a Federal Communications Commission pledge to keep Illinoisans connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to how they are doing it, and what you can do to improve your internet connectivity, with Wisper ISP CEO Nathan Stooke, and Jesse Dunn, Wisper field technician.