Illinois Department of Agriculture

Illinois farms receive $1.8 million to produce and distribute food across the state

Alex Abbeduto

Grants were awarded to farms across Illinois — including Saint Jacob-based DeMange Family Farms, which will use $106,000 to build an energy-efficient produce packing and storage building.

Gov. JB Pritzker, organizers of the Illinois State Fair and others cut the ribbon at the main gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds last month.<br/>

Economy & Business

Illinois State Fair reports 9-year attendance record after fairground renovations

Andrew Adams

The Illinois State Fair manager credits good weather and recent renovations for this year's record attendance.

For Many Hemp Farmers, The First Year Was As 'Bad As It Can Get'

Dana Cronin

Many farmers are wrapping up a frustrating first year of growing hemp, which was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill . “It’s kind of a good way to start,...

Trees killed by sudden oak death on a hillside in Big Sur, California, in 2006. The pathogen that causes sudden oak death was found on some ornamental plants in Illinois.

Health, Science & Environment

Sudden Oak Death Pathogen Found In Illinois And Missouri

Eric Schmid

Updated at 12:45 p.m. Friday to add that the pathogen has been found in Missouri, as well.A pathogen that’s deadly to some native trees has been found in…

Farm Bill, New Illinois Law, Sets Stage for Illinois Hemp Crop

Sam Dunklau

Amid talk of possibly legalizing marijuana in Illinois in the near future, farmers will soon be able to grow another type of cannabis plant thanks to a...

Economy & Business

Rainy June leaves spotty crops in Illinois

Maria Altman

Some crops in Illinois are under water. Some have yet to be planted.After the wettest June on record, officials in Illinois with the U.S. Department of…