Over the last few decades, financing the family farm has shifted. Farm policies and farm management begin with the idea of a farm as the central business unit of a farm household. This is an excellent place to begin. But … Continue reading →
The local high school Christmas Concert was this week. It was packed. Hours of practice by the students, hours of extracurricular energy from teachers and staff, mountains of volunteer hours from students and parents, and 90 minutes direct joy from … Continue reading →
I have benefitted from a rich tradition of military service. In 1979, I was part of an exchange work-study program on a potato and hog farm in southern Germany. Working outside of my home environment in the Midwest United States … Continue reading →
My dad, Speed Jenner, was born in 1923, 101 years ago. It is election day, and Dad spent many years as an election judge in our tiny community in Southern Illinois. He was a great American. He set the ‘bar’ … Continue reading →
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that used cars are losing value faster than they have been. The term negative equity was discussed. In the article, car owners were required to settle their loan prior to the full term, … Continue reading →
Last week, USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) posted this chart on used oil as feedstocks in biodiesel production. This USDA chart indicated that we are pulling undervalued fats, oils, and greases into higher valued uses as transportation fuel. This promotes … Continue reading →
The Bond County Fair happens the first weekend in August each year. A summer highlight is the Junior Livestock Sale. Once 4-H livestock projects have been completed, the show animals are auctioned off. This year’s sale was last night, 8/5/24. … Continue reading →
One factor that allowed me to step up into higher education after several decades of intentionally avoiding a teaching career, was Seth Godin’s book, “What to do when it is your turn (and it is always your turn).” We are … Continue reading →
All of the ‘local market’ references in the Greenville, Illinois Independence Day post have evolved from guiding farmers and agribusinesses for decades on moving bulky, undervalued manure and biomass residues. The farther they travel, the less reusable value they have. … Continue reading →
Homebase for Biomass Rules, LLC is Greenville, IL, population, 7,000. I have lived in rural communities across the US, in Europe, and in Asia. When I was young each place was just somewhere to live. Over the years, I began … Continue reading →
