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.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
November 21, 2025 07:02 PM
·
Experts say farmers and ethanol producers would benefit from a risk-based ILUC system that protects forests without relying on speculative modeling.
November 20, 2025 04:24 PM
·
Dr. Deb Vnoverbeke, UNL’s Head of Animal Science, joins us with more about the university’s experiential learning programs designed to prepare veterinary students for the future of agriculture.
November 18, 2025 12:37 PM
·
ARC-CO delivers the bulk of 2024 support, offering key margin relief as producers manage tight operating conditions.
November 15, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
November 12, 2025 02:42 PM
·
One Iowa man’s story is a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and home.
November 11, 2025 12:01 PM
·
Congressman Blake Moore of Utah discusses the bill’s potential to promote both economic growth and healthier forests on this week’s Champions of Rural America.
November 07, 2025 01:36 PM
·
Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu (HPAI) cases are rising. In the last week, seven commercial turkey, duck, and egg layer flocks were culled across five Midwest states and California.
November 05, 2025 11:36 AM
·
Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
November 03, 2025 10:20 AM
·
