Partners Illinois Farm Bureau

Want to know how some food companies decide what to sell and choices we have in stores? Shedding some light on how, where, what and why they source what they offer - is Mikel Hancock, St. Director of Sustainable Food & Agriculture for Walmart, and Rob Meyers, Vice President, Sustainable Agriculture for PepsiCo.

For several years, some farmers have been advocating for the ability to fix the increasingly complex equipment they use to grow food, animal feed and fuel. Hear why, what's transpired on the issue and what might be in store in the future on the right to repair issue. Those featured include Richard Guebert Jr., Randolph County farmer and president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Zippy Duvall, Georgia farmer and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and David Gilmore, a senior vice president of Illinois-based John Deere.

They support farmers in your community and the vibrant Illinois farm and food sector at the local level. Listen to five specific examples of award-winning county Farm Bureau programs and why you might want to get more involved. Guests include Jill Frueh, manager of the Bureau County Farm Bureau, Bailey Conrady, assistant manager of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, Ruth Zeldenrust, Chicago Heights farmer and secretary-treasurer of the Cook County Farm Bureau, Rhodora Collins, agriculture literacy coordinator for the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and Mike Swartz, manager of the McLean County Farm Bureau.

The local foods movement in Illinois continues to evolve, with expanding fruit, vegetable and herb availability and variety, new farmers markets and places to experience Illinois agriculture. Randy Graham, a farmer who runs Curtis Orchard and serves as chairman of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) and Raghela Scavuzzo, ISGA executive director, discuss what's happening in the sector and an opportunity for you, your towns, cities, schools and more to jump on board the local foods movement.

Come with us to count down the top five Partners podcasts according to downloads of 2022. You just might be surprised to find out what interested most subscribers and listeners. Got an idea for one ini 2023? Send it to us at partners@ilfb.org

These two women make ensuring people enjoy and have fun in our state's largest city a priority because it's their job. Joyce Fong and Debbie Sawyer both serve as concierges at major hotels in Chicago and share what you can expect from them and what's worth discovering this time of year and beyond.