A couple hundred couples have been through what's called the Strong Couples Project over the past couple years in an attempt to refresh, renew and reconnect relationships. Two partners who have been through the program, Lauren Olson and Joe Viola of Mansfield, Ill., share how they participated and what they experienced. The project's leader, Allen Barton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist in Human Development & Family Studies, University of Illinois (U of I), and Michele Crawf...
Feb 10, 2023•32 min
Think you can't get fresh greens, fruits, vegetables in Illinois this time of year? Think again. Michael Hatfield, who grows hundreds of pounds of food offers up information on his specialties along with Janie Maxwell, Executive Director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association, who provides details on what you can and where you can find winter freshness in Illinois.
Feb 03, 2023•22 min
Want to know how some food companies decide what to sell and choices we have in stores? Shedding some light on how, where, what and why they source what they offer - is Mikel Hancock, St. Director of Sustainable Food & Agriculture for Walmart, and Rob Meyers, Vice President, Sustainable Agriculture for PepsiCo.
Jan 27, 2023•15 min
For several years, some farmers have been advocating for the ability to fix the increasingly complex equipment they use to grow food, animal feed and fuel. Hear why, what's transpired on the issue and what might be in store in the future on the right to repair issue. Those featured include Richard Guebert Jr., Randolph County farmer and president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Zippy Duvall, Georgia farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and David Gilmore, a senior vice presid...
Jan 20, 2023•16 min
They support farmers in your community and the vibrant Illinois farm and food sector at the local level. Listen to five specific examples of award-winning county Farm Bureau programs and why you might want to get more involved. Guests include Jill Frueh, manager of the Bureau County Farm Bureau, Bailey Conrady, assistant manager of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, Ruth Zeldenrust, Chicago Heights farmer and secretary-treasurer of the Cook County Farm Bureau, Rhodora Collins, agriculture literac...
Jan 13, 2023•25 min
The local foods movement in Illinois continues to evolve, with expanding fruit, vegetable and herb availability and variety, new farmers markets and places to experience Illinois agriculture. Randy Graham, a farmer who runs Curtis Orchard and serves as chairman of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) and Raghela Scavuzzo, ISGA executive director, discuss what's happening in the sector and an opportunity for you, your towns, cities, schools and more to jump on board the local foods m...
Jan 06, 2023•20 min
Come with us to count down the top five Partners podcasts according to downloads of 2022. You just might be surprised to find out what interested most subscribers and listeners. Got an idea for one ini 2023? Send it to us at partners@ilfb.org
Dec 28, 2022•31 min
These two women make ensuring people enjoy and have fun in our state's largest city a priority because it's their job. Joyce Fong and Debbie Sawyer both serve as concierges at major hotels in Chicago and share what you can expect from them and what's worth discovering this time of year and beyond.
Dec 22, 2022•22 min
These two young men heavily influenced by their fathers share what they're making and/or marketing and rather unconventional ideas for holiday gifts. Both featured on the Partners website and in the winter 2022-23 edition of Partners magazine meet and hear Nicholas Burke of Carbon Forge Design in McLeansboro and Kirk Gregory Jr., with COUNTRY Financial in Chicago.
Dec 15, 2022•20 min
They have fun with food in classrooms and share how agriculture could lead to great careers too. Meet Eva Manzke, Interventionist at Walker Elementary School in Bedford Park, the newest Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, along with Katrina Milton, Director of Ag Literacy for the Cook County Farm Bureau.
Dec 09, 2022•15 min
In the 4th part of our 4-part series on local, food-related farms and businesses, discover all you might want to know about saving some money buying meat in bulk. Hear from Brandon Klehm, University of Illinois meat judging coach, Cassie Rae, manager of Farmhouse Meats, and Kristin Huls, beef and dairy farmer.
Dec 01, 2022•23 min
'Tis the season to gather with family, friends - and maybe those you'd rather not be around or just want to enjoy without squabbles, conflicts, disagreements. Allen Barton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Extension Specialist, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discusses low- to moderate-grade conflicts and how you might consider handling them during the holiday season.
Nov 22, 2022•38 min
We all know we're paying more for what's on our holiday tables. Roger Cryan, Chief Economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Veronica Nigh, Senior Economist for AFBF, help sort out who gets what share, prospects for taming costs, and some ways we, and the people who grow our food, are meeting these challenges.
Nov 18, 2022•15 min
Meet Sandy and John Brix, whose dog Bernice serves as more than a typical farm dog. John, a retired veterinarian, and Sandy, who helped manage the veterinary practice, have had a lot of dogs, but share why Bernice made a national list of outstanding farm pooches. Cyndie Shearing, a director of communications for the American Farm Bureau, also shares the "People's Choice Pup" roster for 2022 and how you can see them all and vote for your favorite.
Nov 11, 2022•23 min
They all had the opportunity to do something else than farm, but farming is what they stayed with or came back to do. Ride along with us during harvest, with Earl Williams, who farms near Cherry Valley, Bart Bittner, who farms near Bloomington, and Kim Meier, who farms near the Village of Ridott, as they shed light on the adventures of farming during harvest and more.
Nov 04, 2022•24 min
Results have been tabulated for favorite farmers markets across the state. Did your favorite make the Top 10 in Illinois list? We share results and hear from two vendors who sell their products at the top two, Mike Biver, Terra Vitae Farms, Woodstock, and Aaron Kinney, Piscasaw Gardens Farm, Harvard, along with managers of the top two markets, Linda Wozniak, Open-Air Farmers Market+ at The Dole, and Kelly Kempf, Woodstock Farmers Market.
Oct 28, 2022•22 min
Some Illinois farms that welcome visitors now include such things as crop mazes and haunted trails. Hear from John Lyons, which features a "Fear on the Farm" trail at Indian Creek Farmstead, and Jess Podany, with Bomke's Patch and it's "Udderly Amazing" corn maze.
Oct 21, 2022•21 min
After a first-year pilot program, the farm to food bank effort continues to expand. Farmers Michelle and Wayne Sirles of Rendleman Orchards share why and how they are participating.
Oct 14, 2022•24 min
Autumn's not only for harvesting but planting as well, in part to protect farmland and water quality, in some cases, from the sky. Hear from Illinois farmer Joe Curless, who also co-owns and operates a flying service, and Laura Christianson, Ph.D., an agricultural and biosystems engineer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Oct 06, 2022•24 min
Creativity flourishes on some Illinois farms with multiple opportunities for fall fun, from live entertainment, to food trucks, to haunted corn mazes added to traditional things like apple and pumpkin picking. In Part II of our II-part series, Jenny & Scott Schroeder with The Peachbarn Winery & Cafe describe what they have to offer in Illinois' Shawnee National Forest, along with Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard at the opposite end of our state.
Sep 30, 2022•23 min
Many Illinois farms and orchards welcome you, and in Part I of a II-part series on places to visit, come with us to a farm that grows pumpkins and another with apples. Carolyn Brummel with The Pumpkin Wagon, and Tammy Camp with Camp's Orchard share what you might expect on your visit.
Sep 23, 2022•25 min
Some Illinois farmers grow mums and know how you can keep them looking great now and maybe have them return for an encore performance next year too. Jenny Matheny, who farms with her family in Fayette County, and Carl Smits, who farms with his family in Cook County, provide all the mumbo-jumbo and more on Illinois-grown mums.
Sep 16, 2022•21 min
Twice a year and sometimes more, you'll likely encounter big farm machinery on our roads. Two Illinois farmers, Renee Deterding, who farms on the Metro East side of St. Louis, and Andy Yarc, who farms in Chicagoland, share what they encounter. Rodney Knittel, Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure, Illinois Farm Bureau, provides additional perspective and tips when you might encounter farmers on the road.
Sep 09, 2022•24 min
Keep those grills going, especially during tailgate season. A pig farmer and grill master, Eric Bradshaw, shares some of his magic with the grill along with Brandon Klehm, University of Illinois meat expert and instructor of it's two-credit "Grilling & BBQ Science" course.
Sep 02, 2022•23 min
Tips and tricks on end of summer meals, things to try in fall along with handy garden tools to use, ways to divide plants and conquer costs. Jodie Shield, registered dietitian and Partners food and recipe writer, along with Jan Phipps, Master Gardener and Partners gardening writer dish with the details.
Aug 26, 2022•29 min
Only 8% of U.S. farmers fall in the age 35 and under category. Meet two from Illinois, Katie King, who farms near New Berlin in Sangamon County, and Joseph Ring, who farms near Oregon in Ogle County.
Aug 19, 2022•20 min
What are the prospects for food supplies here in the U.S. and around the world and what might they cost in the near and distant future? Dive deeper into what we might expect with Brian Duncan, farmer and Vice President of Illinois Farm Bureau, veteran farmers Harry and Dennis Alten, and Mike Doherty, Sr. Economist with Illinois Farm Bureau.
Aug 12, 2022•23 min
Fairs celebrate the bounty from our fields and gardens. The mother of all fairs in Illinois, the state fair, has some new things planned for this year in addition to traditions. Listen in as Rebecca Clark, Manager of the Illinois State Fair, and Raghela Scavuzzo, Executive Director of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association provide all the details for the fair that takes place August 11-21 in Springfield.
Aug 05, 2022•29 min
Anything eating away at your garden, yard or field? Conventionally grown or organic, pesticides remain a reality in modern food production to control pests, diseases and weeds. Take in this thorough discussion on the issue and what you can do to continue to grow yet stay safe. We tap into expertise provided by Zachary Grant, Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension, Chris Novak, President & CEO, CropLife America, and Maria Turner, Integrated Pest Manage...
Jul 29, 2022•32 min
Who loves corn? Hear from a sweet corn farmer about the crop, what you might pay and best ways to prepare sweet corn, and from another farmer who grows it but also the 99% of the other corn in Illinois farmers grow and where all that goes. Norm Diehl farms in Sangamon County, and Marty Marr farms in Logan, Morgan and Sangamon Counties and serves as president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
Jul 22, 2022•21 min
