I just returned this week from a trip to New Orleans for our annual Ag Media Summit, which may well be the world's largest gathering of agricultural and livestock journalists and communicators. In short, it's a darn good time, mostly because of the opportunity to catch up with far-flung friends and colleagues. When I left last Saturday, we'd had 10 straight days with temperatures over 95 degrees, and no more than a couple tenths since the last weekend in June. Our corn had done most of its…

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I’ve just wrapped up writing on our November issue, and one of my stories this month centers on Illinois’ deer population and the impact it’s having on producers’ bottom lines. As deer have consumed my thoughts for much of the past few weeks, I recalled another deer story that’s too good not to share.   About this time last year, I was driving down the road with my 5-year-old, Jenna, and 3-year-old, Nathan, in the backseat. As we drove past our neighbors’ place, we noticed a group of people…

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I was reminded again today how profoundly difficult it is to lose someone you love. Today my pastor, Alan Somers, was laid to rest following an eight-year battle with not one, but two types of cancer. To say he fought it hard is a vast understatement.   Pastor Al came to our little church from California, having pastored there for more than two decades. Ours is your old-time country Bible church, the proverbial white steepled church on the hill. Its congregation, now numbering a couple…

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