Food & Farming

The farm bureau said renovations will take place over the next three years. Funding will go toward upgrades, maintenance and new improvements to keep the fairgrounds in good condition.

For those looking to continue their family legacy, there is a hefty estate tax associated with taking over the business and the land. But there’s also a sense of some in the older generation not wanting to pass the torch, and because of improved equipment quality, they don’t have to just yet.

The exemption rate for the estate tax of family farm operations was set at $4 million in 2013. The McLean County Farm Bureau said $6 million is a fair rate to account for inflation, but the Family Farm Preservation Act has struggled to make it through the Illinois legislature.

The exhibit area closed for renovations in January. It will officially reopen on Thursday, April 9, featuring pretend play and education on agriculture, farming and the sources of food in Central Illinois.

With advocates estimating that as much as 95% of food consumed in Illinois is imported, a state program aims to support the local supply chain.

Higher costs and lower prices are squeezing farmers out of profitability. That’s led many to file for bankruptcy as a last resort to find aid.

Chapters of FFA, once called Future Farmers of America, are becoming more common in city schools. Program advisors say students are learning skills that can help them work in a wide range of industries — from biotech to cosmetology.

Though McLean County is not currently considering any proposals for large-scale AI data centers, the county board will consider a zoning amendment at its next meeting to clarify language and application requirements for any future proposal.

OSHA said Alliance Grain Co. violated safety standards by not properly guarding a sump hole, contributing to a seasonal laborer becoming injured. Alliance has not yet responded to the penalties, which total $276,407. The company said it's reviewing the citations.

The Trump administration's federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock. It's creating longer wait times for farmers seeking federal services and programs, people working in agriculture say.

A Lexington area farmer says Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the Trump administration's tariff policies will provide long-term benefit but more short-term uncertainty.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood has concerns about tariffs, but not enough to break with President Trump in a largely symbolic House vote against them.