Last September my wife moved to my farm, and she has a complaint about farm life; it is too damn windy. Is she exaggerating or has it been windier than normal this year? I tried to tell her that Illinois is known as a prairie state, where the lack of Read more…
Another summer is upon us; so, begins the challenge of living and farming with nature. This will be the first summer of living with my wife, Cora, on the farm. Mother Nature and wildlife has already thrown us many curve balls. My desire to provide wildlife habitat a home and Read more…
By the time you read this, the planting season for Will County farmers will be winding down. Farmers have planted their crops a lot differently in the 6 decades since I was born. I witnessed two antiques of the industry planting on opposite sides of the road recently. To the Read more…
Are you a cat or a dog person? I have started planting and not only am I hoping to raise a good crop of corn and soybeans, but I am also considering raising cats as livestock. I also have a bone to pick with Elon Musk and electric vehicles. Last Read more…
Is anyone anxious to kick off the growing season of 2025? What does Mother Nature have in store for us; will we become flooded like the Ohio Valley or dry like the Plains? After the freeze of winter retreats and the ground thaws; the soils in most fields, yards and Read more…
Very soon it will be another crop year and another adventure for farmers in Will County. I suspect that most of us will welcome seeing old-man-winter in our rear-view mirror. How many more false springs will we see before true warmth arrives and our growing season begins? False spring is Read more…
Do you like rice? Do you discard food items too quickly? Are you convinced that food prices are too high? Well, let’s digest this topic as we celebrate National Agriculture Week. I still remember my first breakfast with my wife at a Cracker Barrel restaurant about 4 years ago. The Read more…
Do you like oatmeal or cake? Once again the bird flu is wreaking havoc on poultry producers. Consumers are feeling the pinch of a shortened supply of shell eggs, and subsequently the increase in price at the grocery stores. Here are a few facts about eggs. Egg consumption has been Read more…
Would you purposely destroy paradise? Does your conscience bother you if you do something wrong unintentionally, or intentionally? I was driving home from Chicago today lamenting about how to write part 2 of my article about moving to Hawaii. The motorist in front of me gave me inspiration, and evidence Read more…
How many farmers start contemplating their retirement when they are approaching Medicare age? That is my issue now, especially since my wife continues to fantasize about moving to Hawaii. It is probably responsible to do some research before moving. For the second time in 3 years, we visited Hawaii during Read more…