Marty Turner on the first day of harvest 2023 for Turner Farms. Photo by Dena Turner

Farming is a good way of life, but a hard way to make a living 

Up before the sun, making sure he knows what everyone else is going to do and what he’s going to do for the day is how Marty Turner starts his day. Running a farm is a good way of life, but a hard way to make a living. 

His family has been farming for many years. It started with his great grandfather. Then later his grandfather moved to Beardstown in the late 1950’s. His father helped his father farm the land along with taking care of cattle. Marty followed in the family business. And that’s what it is now, a business Marty says. Many changes in farming have occurred in the last few decades to make farming more modern and business-like.

Beard Implement Company donates tractor to JWCC

Beard Implement Company has donated $25,000 and the use of a Case IH Farmall Tractor to John Wood Community College’s (JWCC) Agricultural Sciences Complex to support students’ experiential learning and research in West Central Illinois.

The tractor will be used by students and faculty for crop development, research and other projects at JWCC’s Agricultural Education Center near Baylis.

A-C Central FFA from left to right; Back row: Wyatt Ratliff, Ethan Mahoney, Landon Smith, Camden Hays, Connor DeFord, Leland English, Jordan Rebbe, Griffin McClure. Second row : Jarrett Smith, Chase Pratt, Summer Ratliff, Declan Larakers, Cyrus Ratliff, Hunter Roberts, Riley Green, Tucker Jones, Aurora Scheer. Third Row: Caylyn Schmidt, Kaleigh Buhl, Bella Smith, Greta Butler, Erin Wallace, Kate Gutmann, Olivia Hampton, Karissa Thaxton, Mallory Guillou, Abby Taft. Front Row: Advisor Spencer Laughlin, Keagan Dale, Leedah Scheer, Tara Taft, Jayce Privia, Lainey Bartels, Advisor Mason Vincent.

A-C Central FFA

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Triopia FFA from left to right; Front row: George Gallegos, Vivie Littleton, Julia Black, Kenzie Donovan, Kimberly Gallegos, Eve Crawford, Brooklyn Beck - Treasurer, Ticen Crawford - Reporter, Olivia Curry - President, Riley Booth - Secretary, Kaylee Beck - Vice President, Ella Ruppel - Sentinel, Reagan Bunch, Lillie Stucker, Olivia Luttrell, Jocey Waid, and Lexy Heinlein. Second Row: Jackson Gaines, Jace Beck, Jakob Harris, Ava Petefish, Raye Greenstreet, Rilyn Waid, Jealene Clayton, Ali Ballinger, Jeris Wankel, Hannah Pierson, Miley Miller, Joseph Heinlein, Chaz Edwards, Troy Scott, and Evie Martin. Third row: KJ Beck, Brock Wellenkamp, Hunter Wooldridge, Jacob Cook, Sam Miller, Bronc Bogner, Cole Strubbe, Austin VanGundy, Adam Krohe, Brady Seymour, Tripp Thompson, Neveah Beddingfield, Eileen Thurman, Rylee Johnson, and Addison Eyrse. Back row: Wade Swan, Charlie Ham, Joey Mull, Ty Clayton, Gameli White, Mark Greenstreet, Andrew Hobrock, Cooper Parrish, Aiden Crews, Kollin Menge, Mondell Johnson, Kristian Menge, Connor Frisbie, Alex Schild, Adena Thurman, and Lydia Mathis. Not Pictured: Collin Caldwell, Cameron Gaines, Carter Lakamp, Ian Stock, Brock York, Cooper Pahlmann, Austin Strubbe, Ellil Cruz, Bryson Dotzert, Connor Gaines, Rhianna Lovekamp, Ben Dixon, Mika’el Jackson.

Triopia FFA

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WIU Greenhand Conference participants

Virginia FFA

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Farmers and landowners can quickly scout their fields with the use of a drone. Kevin Brooks, U of I Extension educator, writes the first of a series about the use of drones to help increase yields.

Getting a Birds Eye View to Increase Yields – Farm Drones to help manage agriculture

As a teenager, one of my farm duties was cultivating the weeds out of the corn and soybeans. I preferred to drive our bigger tractor because it was easier to handle, but the cultivator was mounted on the back which posed some additional challenges to the job at hand.

Back in those days, GPS was not an option. So I would have to keep an eye on the crop ahead of me and the equipment behind me. If I didn’t stay in the rows, I could tear out the crop. And it only took a few inches off track and I was in trouble. If I ignored the cultivator and it got clogged with bindweed it would rip the plants out of the ground. Both scenarios were ones I tried to avoid.

farm safety

Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season

Harvest season is beginning across the state, and for farmers, this means early mornings, long days, and the potential for exhaustion that can lead to accidents. University of Illinois Extension Specialist and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Assistant Professor Josie Rudolphi says that agricultural workers can prevent fatigue during this busy time of year by eating protein-packed snacks to maintain energy throughout the day. She also recommends drinking plenty of water, not just caffeinated drinks, and whenever possible, taking frequent breaks, naps, or energizing walks.