With low commodity prices, high input costs, weather, taxes, personnel and other concerns, farmers and ranchers face a myriad of stresses in their lives – and free resources are available to help get through those tough times.

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, will be a day with many farms to stroll around throughout Ogle County, with farmers showing their farms, practices, products and antiques to help educate visitors on food sources and the life of a hard day's work.

The pastor at a rural Sterling church is seeking to make its annual Farm Heritage Show just like how the church acts as a beacon of light to the community: helping those in need become mentally healthy and hungry.

Vendors sell their wares from 3-6 p.m. Thursdays in the Pavilion.

A “mutton busting” gave kids a chance to try to ride a sheep, and a clown and trick horse rider also entertained the crowd.

Antique farm equipment in a rainbow of colors from original rust to shiny yellow and green filled the show grounds from July 25-27, 2025, on the Bos Brothers Historical Farm, located on Springhill Road south of Erie.

The Youth In Ag Foundation presentation of scholarships and the Brownfield Ag awards will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. The auction starts at 7 p.m. in the Carroll County Fairgrounds' Poultry Barn.

Read the transcript from our Talk-Line interview featuring Lee County Extension 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, Katie Baker

The TALK-LINE interview for May 19 featured the Lee County Extension 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, Katie Baker