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Agribusiness

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Planting is once again at a standstill in East Central Illinois as thunderstorms dropped 1.5 inches of rain early Thursday morning. The spring of 2019 is one of the wettest on record and may be a signal of future years, according to University of Illinois experts.

Tractors pulling planters filled Edgar County and East Central Illinois fields this past weekend before more rains made the a return to the fields impossible by mid-week. Some farmers north and … more

SPECIAL TO THE PRAIRIE PRESS | 5/29/19

Shiloh third grade students are working on a farm-to-table program augmenting the science and math curriculum. They have learned about the importance of soil temperature and other important elements of the plant cycle and recently planted marigolds and zinnias in the school greenhouse. Left to right are: Haylee Buckler, Trace Galyen, Wesley Harbaugh, Robert Kirkman, Zoey West and Allison Behiter.

Oasis in Shiloh’s food desert

HUME – It seems incongruous students attending a small school in the heart of farm country are not aware of the plant cycle or how food gets to the table. “We are in a food desert here,” … more

BY GARY HENRY ghenry@prairiepress.net | 4/29/19

As the new year looms, gardeners are finding late holiday presents in their mailboxes — the 2019 seed catalogs. Although it’s winter, there’s plenty of things to do to prepare for spring and summer.

The garden calls in winter

Those East Central Illinois residents who love to work in the dirt can get a bit depressed and stir crazy in winter. Looking out at the brown fields — or at the horses rolling around in the mud … more

By NANCY ZEMAN nzeman@prairiepress.net | 12/31/18

This Edgar County born and bred polled Dorset ram “Morals,” was named the grand champion ram at the 2018 North American Livestock Show in Louisville in November. The ram was bred by Show Girlz Sheep Co. of Paris, owned by Deb Holmquist. Jim Piller, left, of Piller Dorsets in Mendota, displays a plaque for being awarded the Grand Champion Ram at the National Polled Dorset Show 2018 shown at the North American International Livestock Exposition on Nov. 14 in Louisville, Ky. Holmquist sold the ram before the show with the agreement her company’s name would be announced as part of its name.

Un-baa-lievable victory

Debby Jo Holmquist and her Showgirlz Sheep Company of Paris made history at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., in November. Holmquist’s one-year-old ram … more

By Nancy Zeman nzeman@prairiepress.net | 12/10/18

Making some dough

CHRISMAN – An idea to support a community event has grown into a side business for Deborah Hale.When the Chrisman High School FFA started a farmers market three years ago Hale wanted to help … more

Gary Henry, ghenry@prairiepress.net | 7/2/18

Garden grows family bonds

What began as a small garden for 4-H is now a two-acre plot filled with different varieties of vegetables and herbs after the Darin Kohlmeyer family found a niche to sell fresh produce at the local … more

Suzanne Williams, swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 6/25/18

Spring planting underway

Corn planting progress in the U.S. is nine points behind the five-year average of 14 percent, according to the USDA’s latest crop progress report. Last year, 15 percent of the corn crop had … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 5/1/18

FFA creates foodbank

KANSAS – Kansas High School FFA is not just for students who aspire to be production farmers.The organization is for students who are future leaders wanting to make positive changes, and they … more

Suzanne Williams, swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 2/26/18

It is really dry out there

Drive any rural road in Edgar County and columns of dust are easily spotted where farmers are cutting beans and shelling corn.Harvesting started approximately two weeks ago and farmers are … more

Gary Henry, ghenry@prairiepress.net | 10/2/17

A great Illinois State Fair

Whether it was showing cattle, horses or participating in showmanship competition, it was another great Illinois State Fair for Edgar County participants.Wolf Mound’s Girl on Fire, owned and … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 8/29/17

All hands on deck for annual barbecue

The aroma of 1,400 pounds of pork chops will fill the air at the Edgar County 4-H Fairgrounds this afternoon as the annual 4-H Barbecue is scheduled from 4-7 p.m.According to Brad Cash, who along … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 6/27/17

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