Local Ag News

Calling all alumni of Aledo, Westmer and Mercer County FFA programs. A group called Mercer County FFA Alumni and Supporters is being organized. 1996 Westmer grad Mat Willits is involved with the effort. Willits says [FULL STORY]

A local supporter of the Mercer County Fair plays a big role in the planning and administration of the Farm Progress Show. Matt Jungmann serves as the show’s events director. Jungmann and his wife reside [FULL STORY]

Mercer County always well represented at the Illinois State Fair and 2022 is no different. Mercer County High School grad and former FFA chapter president Sheridan Hank has had success in the show ring, participating [FULL STORY]

The Throwdown A Western Illinois Showdown is Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville. Twelve Western Illinois county 4H grand champions (including from Mercer County) in both market and breeding stock [FULL STORY]

Still plenty of time to support the weekly Aledo Main Street Farmers Market at Central Park. Aledo Main Street manager Lindsey Dunn says information on being a weekly vendor is also available at aledomainstreet.com. She [FULL STORY]

Another successful Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction. Friday night’s event grossed $43,500, which breaks down to $890 per exhibitor. Macy DeBlock showed the grand champion market lamb at last week’s Mercer County Fair. This marked [FULL STORY]

Year 29 for the Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction. It’s been a good run says organizer Mike Peterson. The youth livestock auction is Friday at 6 p.m. at the swine barn.

The West Central FFA Alumni Chapter hosting a tractor pull in Oquawka this weekend. The event is Saturday at 5 p.m. says alumni chapter president and 2013 West Central grad Zane Torrance. Proceeds benefit scholarships [FULL STORY]

Mercer County consumers now have access to an online farmers market. Mike Barnhouse with Broken Shovel Farms is involved with the effort. More information is available at mcfarmersmarket.com.