Farming

A Chicago-based group with ties to central Illinois established to promote “regenerative” organic agriculture has issued a new study showing a link between regenerative farming, soil health and human health.

A bill awaiting Governor JB Pritzker's signature will set statewide standards for wind and solar farm siting.

Heartland Community College has approved a new certification program for cannabis production and delivery.

A growing number of investors and venture capital groups are putting their money into what the John Deere Company is calling the next giant leap in agricultural technology-- fully autonomous tractors and tillage equipment.

Sales are so good at many locations that at least one area “you-cut” tree farm had sold its entire inventory of harvestable trees by Saturday, December 10.

Taking advantage of a green but growing industry, community colleges across Illinois are rolling out cannabis education programs that can lead to good-paying jobs at marijuana dispensaries.

Scientists at the Peoria Ag Lab have been working to develop a healthier alternative to butter. They want to replace saturated fats with plant-based and other natural oils that mimic the taste and texture of butter.

In Illinois, the average price for a Thanksgiving meal for 10 is expected to jump 13% this year, to $65.53, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Thanksgiving Cost Survey.

The reasons Illinois specialty farmers are slow to embrace hops production include a high risk for crop failure — no federal crop insurance is offered to cover hops production in Illinois — and an underdeveloped statewide market for their harvested crop.

"What we typically find in a drier year ... we typically have really nice pumpkins," said Rader Family Farm's Adam Rader.