Maple syrup season is short and sweet, but easy to learn about thanks to the University of Illinois Extension.
Each January, the land-grant program welcomes hobbyists and those curious about the process to their maple syrup workshop. It is held at the Dixon Spring Ag Center and includes tours, live demonstrations, and an on-site 4-H pancake breakfast.
People get hands-on learning about tree tapping in the late winter.
Each gallon of maple syrup is made up of more than 40 gallons of sap which is boiled, filtered, and then boiled again.
In southern Illinois, the season lasts January through February but varies based on location. It comes to an abrupt end with the arrival of Spring, which leads to chemical changes in the trees making the sap bitter.
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
December 15, 2025 02:02 PM
·
Frigid winter weather and rapid temperature swings have cattle markets watching closely for livestock stress, as analysts say fluctuations pose the greatest risk.
December 15, 2025 12:33 PM
·
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S. Christmas Tree industry and what growers are up against.
December 11, 2025 01:53 PM
·
Sen. Deb Fischer, of Nebraska, mentioned that Congress pushing through year-round E15 sales will do more to help commodity growers than more farm aid, which is currently a reality.
December 09, 2025 03:32 PM
·
Sen. Moran joins us to discuss the farm aid package and the financial reality faced by row crop farmers in his home state of Kansas.
December 09, 2025 02:47 PM
·
Raulston Acres Christmas Tree Farm in Rock Springs, Ga., has been in the same family for three generations.
December 05, 2025 04:59 PM
·
Reed Marcum started hosting a toy drive in 2015. Since then, he has distributed thousands of toys across his home state of Oklahoma and in Texas and Arkansas. Now serving in the Army, Reed’s family and local 4-H chapter are running the event.
December 05, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
December 04, 2025 11:02 AM
·
Buzzard discusses her upcoming appearance on the Dirt Diaries podcast with host Kirbe Schnoor and the importance of sharing authentic stories about agriculture.
December 03, 2025 03:10 PM
·
