Illinois is well represented among the 55 students selected to receive $2,000 scholarships through the GROWMARK Foundation for the fall 2026 semester.

Syngenta’s new Durastak Traits of Tomorrow Scholarship program is accepting applications through June 15.

Exceptional FFA members from across the state who have developed extensive Supervised Agricultural Experience projects will be highlighted during the 98th annual Illinois FFA State Convention, set for June 9-11.

These five students have been selected district winners for the Star in Agribusiness award after an extensive process of evaluating the students and their record books.

The winner of the Star in Agricultural Placement award will be announced during the Wednesday afternoon session of the Illinois FFA State Convention starting at 2 p.m.

Three district winners for the Star in Agriscience award will be honored on the stage of the Illinois FFA State Convention.

It is now time to celebrate the accomplishments from this past year at the 98th Illinois FFA State Convention. However, this event would not have been possible without the months' worth of preparation completed by the state officer team.

Illinois FFA state proficiency winners are selected based on members’ outstanding skills in recordkeeping, leadership and scholastic achievement.

Recognizing tremendous need in their communities, Illinois FFA chapters and Collegiate Farm Bureaus proudly raised a total of 68,577.85 pounds of food, volunteered 13,142.16 hours and donated $76,645.23 during the 2025-2026 Harvest for All campaign.

Deidra Roell is a fifth-generation grain farmer in Washington County in southern Indiana.

Teens and young adults will test their knowledge of regenerative agriculture at a contest held during this summer’s Heart of American Grazing Conference in Effingham.

4-H members can learn about artificial intelligence through a tool created by Purdue Extension called “AI or Me?”

An after-school program is teaching students about the versatility and nutritional value of pork.

Once sheared and the fleece is flipped over to reveal the underside, the true color shows through. This is especially true with the light gray Shetlands in the flock.

Farming is a gamble every year when challenged by the weather and the cost of crop inputs, so there is no thought of gambling the future of the farm away at the casino.

From conferences to convention to contests, this month the Illinois FFA major state officers have been busy traveling all across the state and even into Iowa.

The younger professionals entering ag marketing today bring a different kind of energy.

Many seniors feel vulnerable when it comes to technology and do not know how to protect themselves when using the internet.

Inside a greenhouse filled with herbs and vegetables, adults with intellectual disabilities are learning job skills and growing confidence through a program called Watch Us Farm.

“Giving back to the community” isn’t just a cliché. It’s a lifestyle for folks like Matt Rush and his family.

When Alexandra Merritt saw the need for more food bank access, she took action.

Watching high school students become successful in their careers has been a highlight for Joe Steffen as the agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Newark Community High School.

At a time when many high school students are generations removed from farm life, Indian Creek Ag Teacher Joe Dunn is showing them the importance of agriculture.

The Brookfield Aces 4-H club is like a large family where members are encouraged to help each other with their projects, community service activities and fundraisers.

Heroes don’t wear capes. They’re paged at 3 a.m. to fight a fire, the next day they’re advocating for ag on Capitol Hill and the following day pitching in for the local FFA.

Tyler Main took a temporary westward detour after graduating from Illinois State University 10 years ago this month.

Big changes will be happening over the summer for the agricultural rooms at Heyworth High School.

Top-performing and innovative FFA section presidents and 4-H members cultivated necessary leadership and professional skills during the Youth Education in Agriculture Committee’s recently held Premier 20 Leadership Conference.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition, a global leader in microbial solutions for animal health and performance, announced the opening of applications for its 12th annual Lallemand Scholarship Program.

The U.S. House passed a new farm bill after the agriculture industry has operated for the past eight years under the previous legislation that included three extensions.

Illinois Farm Bureau has named Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau as the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Illinois Farm Bureau has named Wes Bland, of Eldred, the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter President for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Indiana Farm Bureau awarded five scholarships to incoming or current college students pursuing careers in agriculture.

As the 59th World Dairy Expo approaches, coordinators are searching for college students passionate about the dairy industry to be part of the 2026 media team.

Indiana Pork partnered with the National Pork Producers Council to host a LEADR — Leadership, Education, Advocacy Development and Resources — training at Purdue University.

Thirteen Illinois Farm Bureau members and agricultural professionals graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills.

Northwest Indiana youth in grades 3-12 are invited to explore the exciting world of urban agriculture and local food systems through the 2026 4-H Urban Agriculture Youth Program, hosted by Purdue Extension Lake County.

From charter signings to banquets and everything in between, the Illinois FFA major state officers this past month have participated in a wide variety of events across the state, along with extensive convention preparation.

Demonstrating its commitment to rural vitality, Compeer Financial has committed more than $1.4 million to 14 foundations across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin through its Rural Collaboration Project.

A team of Purdue University students won a $20,000 grand prize at the Student Soybean Innovation Competition for creating a soy-based adhesive tape.

A team of Purdue University students won first place in the food track of the 2026 Student Soybean Innovation Competition.

For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the backbone of rural communities and a driving force in our nation’s economy.

Indiana Pork is investing in the future of the food and agriculture industry by sponsoring a hands-on meat fabrication and sausage-making labs at Ivy Tech Community College and Central Nine Career Center.

University of Illinois Extension staff gathered in the State Capitol to showcase how Extension and Illinois 4-H strengthen communities statewide and to call for an increased state investment at its inaugural Extension Day at the Capitol.

It is important for everyone to do things that fill up their mind, body and spirit.

For the past decade, farm profits have been highly volatile, making farm business planning difficult.

Charlie Meier is quick to point out that had it not been for his involvement with FFA and 4-H as a youngster, he would not be a state representative.

Johnson County 4-H is recognizing service members this spring by featuring 4-H alumni on active duty in the U.S. military.

Indiana Dairy Producers named its 2026 award winners at its recent annual meeting.

Compeer Financial selected 35 high school seniors from Illinois to each receive a scholarship worth $2,000 toward the pursuit of a degree related to agriculture.