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Agriculture

Illinois farmers ease critical labor shortages through this agricultural visa program

By GEORGIA EPIPHANIOU
Apr 11, 2026 2:12 pm - A lack of domestic workforce participation in agriculture pushes Illinois farmers to employ foreign workers through the temporary H-2A non-immigrant visa program. Illinois’ employment of farmers through the visa program has grown rapidly, filling 4,488 positions in 2025.
Fertilizer prices jump ahead of planting season, squeezing Illinois farmers

By Bob Okon and Tom C. Doran
Apr 07, 2026 12:34 pm - The war in Iran is raising the price of fertilizer for farmers for the same reason it’s increasing gas prices for everyone. The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route threatened by the conflict, carries nearly half of the world’s urea exports and about 30% of ammonia, both critical for fertilizer production. The impact on fertilizer prices and supplies has set off alarm bells in the world of agriculture and a new focus in news reporting on the economic impact of the war.
Pritzker calls for year-round E15 gasoline in letter to Congress

By George Alexandrakis
Apr 02, 2026 8:36 pm - Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on Congress to allow the permanent year-round use of E15 gasoline, a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline that is cheaper than regular fuel and increases demand for corn.
Worries about global economic pain deepen as the war in Iran drags on

By PAUL WISEMAN
Mar 30, 2026 1:03 pm - U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have driven up prices, darkened the outlook for the world economy, sent global stock markets reeling and forced developing countries to ration fuel and subsidize energy costs to protect their poorest.
COD awarded $650k USDA grant to expand urban agriculture training

By Angela Mennecke, COD News Bureau
Mar 17, 2026 12:07 am - College of DuPage received a $650,000 USDA grant to expand sustainable urban farming training through the COD-FORWARD project, offering stackable certificates, hands-on training, and paid internships.
Illinois Stewardship Alliance urges farmers to apply for infrastructure funding

Submitted by Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Mar 12, 2026 10:48 am - Illinois Stewardship Alliance urges farmers and food businesses to apply for the FY2026 Local Food Infrastructure Grant by March 27, which funds cold storage, processing equipment, and distribution systems
How Illinois lawmakers want to protect waterways in wake of federal threat

by Gabriel Castilho
Mar 10, 2026 1:13 pm - As the Trump administration moves to slash federal protections for waterways and wetlands, Illinois Democratic lawmakers and environmental advocates are racing to finally pass a measure that would enact state safeguards.
‘Our Stories’ film preview honors Latino community’s role in McHenry County agriculture

By Linda Balek, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
Mar 08, 2026 9:18 pm - Raices Latinas is screening a preview of “Nuestras Historias,” a documentary highlighting Latino contributions to McHenry County agriculture, on March 31 at Woodstock Opera House with free admission.
Flower power: Local farmers tap into growing demand for fresh-cut blooms

By Hannah Spangler, FarmWeek
Mar 02, 2026 5:45 pm - When warmer weather returns, people will start heading back to outdoor farmers markets. In addition to fresh meat and produce, bright, colorful cut flowers bundled in bouquets or available for custom arrangements are becoming an eye‑catching addition to the market experience.
McHenry County Agronomy Update spotlights disease pressures and weed resistance

By Michele Aavang, Extension Educator, Unit 3, Lake & McHenry County
Feb 21, 2026 11:34 pm - Extension specialists presented research on the spread of diseases like tar spot, southern rust, and red crown rot, as well as the evolving landscape of herbicide resistance, particularly in waterhemp.

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