USDA Secretary Vilsack visited Kankakee County on Monday on trip to talk about farming and positive practices
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a Kankakee County farm Monday, where he noted that the U.S. has lost about 438,000 farms since 1981. WGEM reports that Vilsack told journalists that USDA has incentivized the market to
Newly proposed legislation would create Illinois state agency to assist farmers struggling with climate issues
Democratic State Rep. Sonya Harper has proposed legislation to better prepare Illinois farmers for any future climate change. The Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office Act would create a state agency to provide technical assistance and financial
USDA Secretary Vilsack issues drought disaster declaration for Fulton, Mason, and Tazewell counties
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a drought disaster declaration for Fulton, Mason, and Tazewell counties for the 2023 Illinois growing season. Under federal law, counties which border those counties are eligible for the same assistance. Ten other
Most of Illinois continues dealing with drought, while dryness lessens in some areas
While much of Illinois remains in drought-like conditions to varying degrees, there are areas of improvement to be found. While more than 66% of the state remains in uncomfortably dry conditions, the extreme drought in parts of
Despite recent rain, study notes that over 80% of Illinois remains in drought conditions
According to the Illinois Drought Monitor managed by the University of Nebraska, 83% of Illinois remains in a condition of moderate or severe drought despite the recent rain. And USDA reports that the weather has taken a
$300 million investment in carbon capture monitoring techniques announced
The U.S. Department of Agriculture this past week announced a $300 million investment to monitor agricultural carbon capture techniques. Democratic Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota and Republican Senator Todd Young from Indiana introduced a bill to study
Illinois drought conditions continue to worsen with not much sign of improvement nearing
Drought conditions across Illinois are at their worst level in more than a decade – with not much sign of improvement in the near future. Now 30% of the state is in a severe drought, including the
Sangamon County joins most of Illinois in experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions
Despite some rain earlier in the week, more than 99% of Illinois is now abnormally dry or under drought conditions – including all of Sangamon County. For the first time this year, most of Sangamon County is
Sangamon County the exception as 98% of Illinois is currently in drought or near-drought conditions
98% of Illinois is now showing drought or near-drought conditions – but Sangamon County remains the exception. The latest drought monitor for Illinois shows more than 50% of the state in a moderate drought, with portions of
Much of Illinois state suffering from drought conditions, Sangamon County yet to feel brunt of climate conditions
Drought conditions are worsening across much of Illinois, but have not yet hit most of Sangamon County. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor finds 75% of the state in drought conditions. The far eastern tip of Sangamon County