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 →
Outer space is now open for business. On February 22, 2024, a private company space vehicle, Intuitive Machines landed on the Moon. The first manned U.S. lunar landing occurred in 1969 and was completely government funded. The 1960s U.S. space … Continue reading →
In the old days, agribusiness referred to a business providing farm inputs. This broadly impacted everything involving goods and services connected to agricultural commodities. Commodities are the raw products from crops and livestock that cannot be differentiated on product quality. … Continue reading →
