The prize package consists of four Best of Show passes good for Lee County Fair gate and grandstand admission on one day of your choice and four vouchers to one of the fair’s food vendors.

Local youths ages 10 to 14 are invited to explore the exciting world of engineering and creativity at an upcoming hands-on workshop where participants will build their own DIY hydraulic hand using everyday household materials.

Youth in the Sauk Valley will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors and learn about the natural world this summer through Junior Master Naturalist Camp, offered by University of Illinois Extension in partnership with local nature centers.

A Dixon farm sanctuary wants to expand onto a 72.45-acre property next to it, but that property is owned by Dixon Public Schools and administrators say it’s not for sale.

Stark and Tazewell counties had the state’s top average corn and soybean yields, respectively, in 2025.

The Dixon Ag FFA Alumni and Support Group is expressing gratitude to several agricultural partners for their contributions that support the Dixon ag plots.

Dawn Rath of Mount Carroll achieved 40 years of continued service with the USDA-Farm Service Agency on March 15 in Mount Carroll.

National Land Institute’s Legacy Tree Program announces the May Tree of the Month is a tulip tree located on private property in Sterling. It is 65 feet tall, has an average crown spread of 85 feet and a circumference of 18.25 feet.

During the century’s first three decades, American businesses fought to reign supreme on the farm by developing a reliable, affordable tractor.

Farmland prices are expected to decrease from 1% to 5% this year, according to Illinois professional farm managers.

Lease agreements shifted toward more traditional crop-share agreements in 2026.

The farmers market will be open from 7-11 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October.

Hundreds of potential buyers – mostly farmers – wound their way through the mud on Saturday, April 4, 2026, to buy or sell tractors, wagons, planters and other ag-related items at the Hazelhurst Spring Consignment Sale.

The Gathering of the Green attracted hundreds of John Deere collectors and enthusiasts from numerous states and several countries for the four-day event that featured workshops, tours and a vendor area packed with treasures.

The top five highest yielding counties in Illinois were Macon, Carroll, Edgar, Ogle and Schuyler.

Five Illinois producers, including one from Dixon, were honored Thursday as 2026 Master Farmers at Prairie Farmer magazine’s annual event in Bloomington.

An acreage swing toward more soybeans and less corn in the upcoming growing season is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Local youths interested in rabbits and small animal care are invited to participate in an upcoming 4-H rabbit workshop. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 18 in the Rabbit Barn at the Lee County Fairgrounds.