Blogs

Using tile drainage as a crop management tool

September 25, 2026

Central Illinois and the Midwest region more broadly is responsible for growing much of the key crops that drive the U.S. agricultural economy. Whether it is corn grown for animal feed or soybeans grown for biofuels, the high quality of farmland in this region is perhaps the most important factor...

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Setting sun and clouds behind a combine in a farm field during harvest.

Farm Estate Planning Series: How Well Do You Really Know Your Family?

September 21, 2026

Farm Coach

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal or tax advice.Family dynamics are complex. Different family members see the same reality through different lenses. The Farm Estate Planning Series is designed to help families navigate the...

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Household hazardous material collection events scheduled for fall 2026

September 14, 2026

Pesticide News

Now is the time to get rid of any old or unwanted pesticides in your chemical storage area. The Illinois EPA one-day household hazardous waste collection schedule for this fall has been released to the public. Please note, all one-day collections require pre-registration. All events are open to all...

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Maximizing cover crop benefits through proper management

September 9, 2026

Farm Focus

Crop producers in central Illinois have a wide range of management decisions to make throughout the year. This leads to a series of often difficult decisions to make before, during, and after the growing season. What type of tillage is needed? How much fertilizer should be applied? When is the...

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A farm with buildings surrounded by crop fields.

Tracking farmland and farm real estate values in Illinois

August 26, 2026

Farm Focus

Farmland is often the largest asset on a farm's balance sheet, making changes in land values important to farmers, landowners, lenders, and rural communities. Land values can affect farm wealth, borrowing capacity, rental negotiations, estate planning decisions, and the cost of expanding an...

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A combine moves across a dusty harvested field with clouds & setting sun in background.

Farm Estate Planning Series: Are Your Heirs Ready for the Changes Your Death Will Cause?

August 21, 2026

Farm Coach

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal or tax advice.Thinking about retiring from farming? Maybe you are brainstorming how the operation will transition when you are gone due to illness, injury, or death. Managing a farm in a fast...

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Pictures of the two handbook covers described in the article

Newly revised pest management handbooks now available

August 11, 2026

Pesticide News

You have been patiently asking for them for a while now. The long-awaited revision of two pest management handbooks has finally happened! University of Illinois Extension specialists have been working hard to update these popular reference guides and we are excited to make them available. ...

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A large farming harvest operating is taking place in an agricultural field with clouds & blue sky in background.

Farm Estate Planning Series: The First Place to Start

August 6, 2026

Farm Coach

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal or tax advice.This article will help you organize your farm into a document from which you will create an estate plan, so your advisors understand exactly what you own and how the operation...

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The Illinois Lawn Care Application Notice Act, communication is key

August 6, 2026

Pesticide News

As a landscape professional, communicating with your clients is vital. A solid relationship built on trust can yield continuous business. Communication with clients should be informative and timely. That investment of time spent with them is valuable because you can gather their needs or wants and...

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Distant view of a country road with a barn on the left, power lines on the right and a blue sky with some clouds in the background.

Farm Estate Planning Series: You Need a Solid Farm Estate Plan

August 5, 2026

Farm Coach

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal or tax advice.In the past decade, more attention has been given to estate planning for family farm businesses, as the average age of commercial farmers in Illinois is 60-plus, and most...

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