http://farmprogress.com/blogsRss.aspx?b=4The latest headlines and articles.(c) 2013, iNet Solutions Group. All rights reserved.5A look at the stories we never tell, and the stories that just take awhile to make it to print.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-farming-hard-makes-great-7121Mon, 06 May 2013 01:00:00 GMTSay you get yourself in a bind. Say you need to find a way out. How does a farm kid solve a problem like that? Read on!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-problem-solving-101-farm-kids-7096Thu, 02 May 2013 01:00:00 GMTThree times in and out of the house for a computer update or three times to town for the wrong part? http://farmprogress.com/blogs-flash-drives-parts-runs-7083Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:00:00 GMTAnti-GMO accusations keep flying, despite science and often, common sense. Does it make it ok if they say, "farmers just don't know any better?"http://farmprogress.com/blogs-gmo-farmers-are-stupid-7062Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:00:00 GMTEight inches of rain in a single night, and suddenly the drops we couldn't buy last summer are flooding fields, farms, towns and homes.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-rain-couldnt-buy-last-year-7054Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:00:00 GMTA short dittie about why communicating the plan is nearly as important as the plan itself.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-words-live-least-manage-7021Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:00:00 GMTBaseball and farming: they are maybe not so different.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-hard-great-6994Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMTCornell researchers find that consumers believe organic food has fewer calories and are willing to pay nearly 25% more for it. Lesson: read the label.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-organic-health-halo-real-people-6965Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMTSome Ag Day celebrating in D.C., and a week that ended with the Women in Agriculture Conference. Not a bad week. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-ag-day-thats-right-6922Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMTIt's been a year since my mother died; sometimes it feels like yesterday and at the same time, like 10 years ago. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-anniversaries-memories-6868Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:00:00 GMTA trip to the University of Illinois yielded good conversations, good information and great advice.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-how-succeed-college-6855Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:00:00 GMTI grew up going to 4-H meetings in the living room of one of this year's Master Farmers. Here's what this farm kid noticed.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-hey-i-know-master-farmer-6835Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMTCalves are born backwards and kids get in the wrong place at the wrong times. This is the stuff of farm life.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-wait-why-black-eye-6825Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:00:00 GMTExploreACES kicks off at the University of Illinois in one week, and I'll be there with my young high school friends. Really, we can't wait.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-u-i-visit-t-minus-week-counting-6814Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:00:00 GMTIllinois Farm Families has selected 20 Chicago moms for their new class of Field Moms. This weekend: their first field trip.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-field-moms-hog-farm-5174Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:00:00 GMTWhat happens when the laundry piles, the children need and you know not how to balance farm and husband and life? http://farmprogress.com/blogs-letter-young-farmwife-5080Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:00:00 GMTA tale of a forgetfulness and small town love. And the Mt. Carroll Mobil station.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-never-leave-home-without-5082Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:00 GMT"So God Made a Farmer" certainly caught our attention. Here's why what you've heard may not be true, and what two farm broadcasters had to do with it.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-forests-trees-paul-harvey-5047Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMTHogs, dairy and beef cattle numbers may be down, but their value isn't. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-cows-count-more-ways-4996Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:00:00 GMTThere's a new calf on the farm, and we're looking back - way back - at show heifers, first calves and cowgirl excitement.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-little-cowgirl-expands-herd-4995Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:00:00 GMTFarming is hard but we don't need to be martyrs about it, especially to our new online friends.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-farming-martyrs-need-apply-4967Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMTBritish anti-biotechnology activist renounces his ways; former colleagues embrace their dogma and label him sell-out.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-biotechnology-amish-big-ol-mea-culpa-4076Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:00:00 GMTHere, a look back at the 10 blogs you read most in 2012. Was it organic? HSUS? Pink slime? Read on!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-generation-presents-top-10-2012-3989Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:00:00 GMTForget the mice, there's a whole lot stirring in the Spangler house today! http://farmprogress.com/blogs-twas-night-before-christmas-3975Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:00:00 GMTThe beauty of Christmas is an odd juxtaposition to the sadness such a momentous occasion often carries. Where does grief fit at Christmastime?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-joy-suffering-elephants-3962Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:00:00 GMTLooking for a few good books for the children on your Christmas list? Try some farm books! And we promise: no farmers in straw hats or bib overalls here.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-christmas-idea-farm-books-kids-3921Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMTA weekend in Chicago gives us much to think about and much to be thankful for: food, friends and farming.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-farm-bureau-takes-windy-city-3911Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:26:00 GMTDay 30: We're just so darn excited about what's next…technology, information, application, tools and more.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-future-3898Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 29: No, the Spangler farm hasn't gone organic, but we have friends who have! Here's why they do what they do.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-organic-3893Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 28: A look at what we spray on our fields and why, and why it actually has a purpose.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-chemicals-3886Wed, 28 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 27: The very word "sustainability" makes me crazy, even while the premise itself does not.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-sustainability-3883Tue, 27 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 26: Commercial and seedstock, backgrounding and finishing, grass fed and grain fed. Wait. What?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-cattle-3877Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 24: Why family means something more on the farm. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-family-3876Sun, 25 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 24: A look at why dogs are so very special to farm families.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-dogs-3873Sat, 24 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 23: A celebration of snow, fun, modification and a little danger thrown in. Also, why we do this crazy stuff.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-big-fun-3872Fri, 23 Nov 2012 03:00:00 GMTDay 22: Why the farm nurtures relationships, and especially across the generations.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-relationship-3871Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 21: Why bottle calves are good for farm kids, and other tales from the barn.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-bottle-calves-3870Wed, 21 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 20: Antibiotic use in livestock has a real purpose, and a lot of it has to do with the animal's welfare. Bet you won't hear that from HSUS.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-antibiotics-3863Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 19: Watch our corn poppin' up in rows, and other tales from the planter.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-straight-rows-3832Mon, 19 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 18: Why our kids love the farm life, and why that makes us happy, happy, happy.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-kid-love-3812Sun, 18 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 17: Why we really, really love farming, and why we need to stop and remember.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-love-3811Sat, 17 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 16: Farmers have good reason for all those bins on the prairie: grain storage pays off.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-store-grain-3831Fri, 16 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTWe've talked media, marketing, healthy choices, and antibiotics. Now? Genetically modified food.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-live-food-dialogues-panel-3-3847Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:05:00 GMTUSFRA announces finalists in their spokesperson for agriculture contest. (And one is from Illinois!)http://farmprogress.com/blogs-faces-farming-finalists-announced-3846Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:35:00 GMTThe second live blog, this time as Panel 2 commences discussing antibiotics and food.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-live-food-dialogues-panel-2-3845Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:56:00 GMTA live look at the news, quotes, observations and more from the USFRA's first panel: Media, Marketing & Healthy Choices.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-live-food-dialogues-panel-1-3843Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMTDay 15: What happens when farmers get together and engage food influencers.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-dialogue-3828Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 14: 'Cause sometimes, you've just gotta get away.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-leave-farm-3809Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 13: Why farmers show livestock, and other tales from the show ring.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-show-ring-3830Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 12: Why we're willing to learn and spend more on technology that (theoretically) makes our business run smoothly and (definitely) makes us safer.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-technology-3821Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 11: It's the end, the reward, the reaping of what we've sown.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-harvest-3807Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 10: What's worth preserving? Friends, fun, work, and friendly competition. And friends.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-county-fairs-3798Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 9: What's BST? What's rBST? What's the difference? Who cares?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-milk-3808Fri, 09 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 8: Why the weather rules our life, and a look at the farm checks we write.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-weather-3797Thu, 08 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 7: Why you should worry more about the baked potato than the steak. But really, you don't need to worry about either one.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-hormones-3796Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 6: Why livestock husbandry has a past, and why that makes it great.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-long-haul-3795Tue, 06 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 5: What's up with Indian suicides, French rats, evil Monsanto and the Third World? Let's just take a look.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-biotechnology-again-3789Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 4: Why we rest on Sunday, and other news from the farm.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-church-3781Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 3: Why we stop. Take a break. Enjoy each other. Then hurry back to work.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-harvest-eats-3780Sat, 03 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 2: Why we plant genetically modified seeds on our farm. Part 1.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-biotechnology-3779Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTDay 1: Why our kids work on the farm, and why that's not child labor.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-prairie-farm-working-kids-3774Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMTEverything you ever wanted to know about farms, farming and agriculture, designed to share with your non-farm friends. For 30 days!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-kickoff-30-days-prairie-farm-3768Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMTAmid research on what consumers think about food and agriculture, a "real life" friend was made.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-organic-conventional-food-friends-3763Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:00:00 GMTUniversity of Illinois food scientists sheds light on motives and process in producing a Dr. Oz show on GMOs. No surprise, large agendas at play.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-gmos-dr-oz-real-scientists-3725Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMTAre you in? Join me in blogging your own "30 Days" of an agricultural topic. Farm blogs are fun!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-two-weeks-till-30-days-3726Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMTThe someone I love is 40 today. What does it all mean? 40 reasons to celebrate, of course!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-40-year-old-farmer-3705Fri, 12 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMTWhat can a group of farm boys do when they put their efforts together? Take a look. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-house-36-men-144-days-3698Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMTRegulating the meat, milk and calories of a kid's meals for 25% of their weekly meals will not affect obesity rates. But it will make kids hungry.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-weighing-school-lunches-3682Fri, 05 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMTIt's the plight of young life on the farm: let's get this crummy crop year over with but could we please make those little farm kids stop growing?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-time-hurry-slow-down-3671Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:00:00 GMTLooking ahead to November and "30 Days." Will you blog with me?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-30-days-ofagricultural-something-3658Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:28:00 GMTAfter a brush with farm un-safety, my husband is now letting technology work for him. Amen! And cheers for National Farm Safety Week.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-easy-pie-safe-grain-drying-3628Wed, 19 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMTPrairie Farmer is planning a special issue celebrating Illinois agriculture, but we need to hear from you!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-why-love-farming-3608Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:45:00 GMTShare your best harvest story – whether you laughed, cried or both – with Farm Progress and Mycogen, and you could win a Gator. No kidding.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-harveststorywhats-yours-3606Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:30:00 GMTBack again with Swedish photos and a look at their national nature policy. What's it like if anyone can walk on your property at any time?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-sweden-photos-countryside-3596Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMTStanford University study says organic food isn't more nutritious. But what about pesticide risk? And what about risk in general?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-organic-food-measured-risk-3581Wed, 05 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMTThe kids are getting back into the swing of things. The mom? Not so much. Here, a look back at a kindergartener and a letter.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-back-school-real-3572Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:30:00 GMTA look at Swedish farms via photographic lens. And let me tell you, the cows are picturesque. Swedish cows know how to work it.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-sweden-photos-farms-3551Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMTSweden in summertime is a beautiful place. Here's part one of two, sharing a handful of the 800+ photos I took, on the farm and off!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-sweden-photos-part-3533Tue, 21 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMTMy trip among international ag journalists has been beautiful, joyous and eye opening. Here's a bit of what we've picked up!http://farmprogress.com/blogs-10-things-ive-learned-sweden-3519Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:34:00 GMTDay 1 realization: other countries can see farm policy, supply control, banning GMOs and more as right, just as naturally as I do the exact opposite.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-swedish-melting-pot-3510Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:00:00 GMTI'm heading to Sweden to learn about farms and journalism around the world. It's a long way from Marietta, but the opportunity promises much.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-farm-girl-goes-sweden-3504Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:24:00 GMTIt's time to nominate the 2013 Class of Prairie Farmer Master Farmers. I'm betting you know a man or woman who deserves the honor.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-whos-best-farmer-know-3497Wed, 08 Aug 2012 22:05:00 GMTYou can learn a lot from a good judge and a cattle showmanship class.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-lesson-showmanship-3480Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:00:00 GMTThe Spanglers came home from the county fair with a champion showman and a little girl with renewed confidence. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-shes-showmanship-winner-3479Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMTWatch this video: HSUS and friends chip away at brand after brand by linking the brand with animal cruelty. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-hsus-ceos-squeaky-wheels-3450Tue, 24 Jul 2012 09:11:00 GMTFeeling beat by the heat? This little video may just give you something to smile about, especially if you, too, are heading to a fair this week.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-bushel-peck-something-smile-3447Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:00:00 GMTWhat about organic veggies? How science can be pulled out of context, misquoted and shared endlessly - and mindlessly - all across the Internet.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-buy-organic-3440Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:35:00 GMTWhat happens when you name your lambs for seed companies and hit the show circuit? A hint: the competition is fierce.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-meet-burrus-wyffel-3413Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:00:00 GMTDrought hitting hard in southeastern Illinois: farmer hits 60 days without rain, and one wind storm takes out what would've been his best corn crop. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-drought-hits-keep-coming-3403Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:05:00 GMTFarmers may be handling more money, be we aren't making more money. Especially not in a drought year.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-drought-volatility-3394Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:07:00 GMTOur July cover features top young farmers and Master Farmers. Here's what they say about the next 10 years in farming. Hint: Willie Nelson comeshttp://farmprogress.com/blogs-pr-farmer-mailbox-3380Sun, 01 Jul 2012 23:48:00 GMTAs temperatures soar, Illinois corn suffers. I saw a lot of acres this week, and all were rolled tight in self-preservation. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-drought-1988-again-3377Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:49:00 GMTWhen our nephew got married a couple weekends ago, it was a natural fit to grab a few shots on the grain bin. And the tractor. http://farmprogress.com/blogs-wedding-photos-bin-course-3373Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMTAs California gears up to vote on mandatory GM labeling, farmers need to brace themselves to hear a whole lot more about what we thought was old news http://farmprogress.com/blogs-gmos-theyre-still-news-3361Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:15:00 GMTMy nephew married his bride this weekend and drove off in high farm style. John Deere tractor style, to be specific.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-big-tractor-big-day-3344Mon, 18 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMTFind your farming passion and figure out how to get paid to do it, then you'll never work a day. It will be that thing you do, and do so well.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-finding-farm-passion-work-life-3335Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:30:00 GMTOur daughter's first cattle show didn't go exactly as planned, and this Mom learned what it was like to watch it all unfold. From outside the ring.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-white-knuckles-ringside-seat-3325Mon, 11 Jun 2012 04:30:00 GMTThe kids and the cattle are headed out on the first-ever show day for our oldest, and I can't lie: we're all pretty excited about it.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-goin-showin-3321Fri, 08 Jun 2012 06:51:00 GMTCorn and soybeans across Illinois need rain, and barns need relief from raccoons. Are they related?http://farmprogress.com/blogs-corn-beans-wild-kingdom-3291Wed, 30 May 2012 15:56:00 GMTBugs and worms are, indeed, natural on the farm, but that doesn't mean a consumer wants to see them. Or really, even know they exist.http://farmprogress.com/blogs-isnt-organic-food-supposed-natural-3274Fri, 25 May 2012 01:00:00 GMT