Local Ag News

The Mercer County Fair is adding a vintage tractor show and parade to this year’s event schedule. The antique tractor parade will take place Friday night in front of the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. Registration [FULL STORY]

Mercer County Fair week is here. The event runs from Tuesday to Saturday at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Aledo. Grandstand entertainment this year includes the Mercer County Fair Queen Pageant on Tuesday, flat track [FULL STORY]

The 2026 Mercer County Fair will include the 33rd year of the Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction next week. Since its inception in 1993, the event has raised more than $1.2 million for local exhibitors. [FULL STORY]

The 2026 Mercer County Fair is two weeks away. The event runs July 7-11 at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Aledo. Grandstand entertainment this year includes the Mercer County Fair Queen Pageant on July 7, [FULL STORY]

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois), a member of the House Ag Committee, says he’s receptive to another aid package for farmers in light of ongoing ag economy challenges. Last December, the Trump administration announced an [FULL STORY]

An agricultural educational camp for local elementary school students is celebrating its 30th year. The 30th annual ACE Camp took place at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Aledo on Tuesday. Nearly 200 second-grade students from [FULL STORY]

ACE Camp is returning for its 30th year next week. On Tuesday, May 5, nearly 200 second-grade students from the Mercer County and Sherrard School districts will take part in the day-long camp that gives [FULL STORY]

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is relaunching the I-COVER Program. The program intends to promote the implementation of cover crops and the adoption of new technologies, says the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Michelle Curby. Curby [FULL STORY]

A Mercer County High School junior has won a district FFA competition. Peyton Knapp was selected as a District FFA Proficiency Winner in Specialty Animal Production. Illinois FFA recognizes students in forty-eight different areas based [FULL STORY]

The Mercer County Farm Bureau is hosting a farm succession planning workshop this week. The event is designed to help farm families build a clear, confident path forward for future generations. Uncommon Farms’ Mike Downey will [FULL STORY]