Built by a Chicago grain merchant, this historic site and non-profit arts park now hosts a farmers market, fast proving the place to be each Sunday in the Chicago suburbs. Volunteer Sharon LeCoque, and farmers and market vendors Mike Biver with Terra Vitae Farms, and Colin Raclawski with Von Bergen's Country Market, share what it's all about.

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Civil War-Era Mansion Hosts New Farmers Market

With harvest in full-swing, Marty and Andy Dole take you to one of their farm fields and inside their combine as they harvest this year's crops. Marty shares what's taking place, and Andy how he has built an audience for his farming adventures online.

A Trippy YouTube Farmer

More Illinois farmers have started selling products they raise and grow directly to you, many right from their Illinois farms. Hear from three that do so, Wanda Farm, Hephzibah Farms, Inc., and Cody’s Farm & Orchard, and about an event that allowed visitors to learn about what they, and several other Illinois farmers have to offer directly to you.

Buy Direct From Farms

To clean or not to clean, should you soil test, how to put tree leaves to work for you and more. Hear from Jan Phipps, Partners gardening writer, and Duane Friend, a University of Illinois Environment & Energy Stewardship Extension Educator, on what you might consider to keep your gardens and lawns growing and flourishing in the future.

Pros Tackle Fall Garden To-Dos

Take a deeper dive into the cost and availability of what's in our current and future salad bowls. Bob Young, president of Agricultural Prospects and former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau sorts it out, and Jamie Johansson, California farmer and president of the California Farm Bureau who has details on the drought and wildfires impacting what some call our nation's salad bowl.

What's Going On In Our Salad Bowl

In addition to harvesting crops, these Illinois farmers have a wedding and new child arrival plans this fall. Iroquois County farmer Krista Lottinville and Gallatin County farmer Blake Luckett share details on this year's crops and how they'll juggle family and other changes on their farms.

Marriage, Children on Harvest To-Do List

In Part II of a two-part series on autumn adventures in Illinois, find out what’s new with fall-favorite chrysanthemums, how to care for them, keep them coming back, Mumfest and more with farmers Greg and Mariah Anderson.

Mad About Mums & More

In Part I of a two-part series on autumn adventures in Illinois, learn what's new on this Illinois apple orchard and some others this fall. Raoul, Jodie and Brandon Bergersen, a family-run orchard growing apples and several different fruits.

Plan Now for Autumn Adventures

Small, medium, large, whatever the size of animals, significant demand exists for doctors of veterinary medicine or DVMs. Dr. James Lowe, an educator, adviser, researcher, farmer and associate professor at the University of Illinois (U of I), Sydney Leib, a second-year student in the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Chelsea Ballinger, a vet-med school graduate who has established a mobile veterinary practice all share what it takes, costs, and more.

Big Demand for Veterinarians

What’s your favorite fair food? Three of the largest fairs in Illinois have returned this year, and offer the conventional, unusual and healthy options. Hear from Partners Prairie State Perspective author Joanie Stiers on her family’s take, and from Raghela Scavuzzo, executive director of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, on how this group offers fresh, locally-grown food and more at the Illinois State Fair.

Fair Food Frenzy

What EF means when it comes to tornadoes, longer seasons, what’s a snow drought; in part II of our two-part series on weather and climate, National Weather Service-Chicago Meteorologist Rafal Ogorek, and State Climatologist Trent Ford discuss our roller-coaster weather year thus far, the numbers they collect and look at and weather and climate research taking place.

Wild, Whacky, Wondrous

The National Weather Service (NWS) plans some changes when it comes to weather advisories. An assessment of what climate change means to Illinois recently received an update. In the first of a two-part series, find out what both mean to you, with NWS Meteorologist Rafal Ogorek, and Illinois State Climatologist, Trent Ford, Ph.D.

Changes Coming for Weather Advisories

Opportunities abound to explore the heritage behind the food we and the farms that grew and grow it. In this episode, learn about the American Farm Heritage Museum and the historic Marbold Farmstead, both in Illinois with regular hours and special events.

If These Places Could Speak

What's in season, and what are some great ways to prepare fresh Illinois-grown fruits and vegetables? University of Illinois Extension Educator Elizabeth Wahle, Ph.D., shares what's coming from the fields, and Partners food writer Jodie Shield shares four quick ways to put them to work.

From Farms, Markets, Gardens to Tables

As we enter peak fresh fruits and vegetables season, how can we be ensured what we select, prepare and eat remains clean and safe to eat? Raghela Scavuzzo, Associate Director of Food Systems Development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Brenda Foos, director of the federal USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Services Monitoring Programs Division, share what’s taking place to ensure food safety and offer tips on common sense food preparation practices.

Keeping It Clean and Safe

Interested in learning more about Illinois farm, family and food related places, events and issues? The state’s largest organization of farmers, Illinois Farm Bureau, provides an in-depth look at these topics through this informative podcast.

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