The Illinois Advantage
SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 11
Today's smart farming starts not just with precision technology but also with a new approach to financial management.
By Joli A. Hohenstein
As the agricultural finance sector continues to evolve with the needs and demands of farmers, Illinois growers are discovering many sources and tools at their disposal.
By Mace Thornton
Learn the top seven ways financial advisors suggest you update your farm business plan.
By Joli A. Hohenstein
Managed by SIU School of Medicine's Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, the Farm Family Resource Initiative offers vital mental health resources.
By Karen Leavitt Stallman
Once the stuff of movies and fan fiction, robots show incredible potential for practical work and impact on Illinois soybean farms.
By Corey Lacey, Ph.D.
Although it’s generally a growing part of every year’s crop budget, innovation is often an early exit from farmers’ wish lists in years when crop revenue slips and budgets tighten. Here's how to balance tech resources with reality.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Experts share tips for equipment, marketing and sustainability over the long winter months.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Join the ISA Agronomy Team at the Field Advisor Forum—a day dedicated to learning how your checkoff dollars are funding impactful agronomic research in Illinois and providing data-driven solutions for your farm.
By Stephanie Porter
ISA's newly updated Field Advisor platform brings the latest on-farm research together with weekly agronomic insights and news to help your operation improve yield and profitability.
By Jennifer Jones
This opinion piece authored by El Paso farmer, Rob Shaffer, explores our opportunity to build stable, reliable markets for Illinois crops that provide a sustainable return on our investments.
By Rob Shaffer
Get to know the members of the ISA Agronomy Team and how they're working on your behalf.
By Olivia Key
Hit the road with Illinois Field & Bean to check out the local barbecue competition scene.
By Olivia Key
More investment is needed to stabilize funding for soil and water conservation districts that empower Illinois farmers' conservation use, writes ISA Environmental Policy Manager Corey Lacey in this editorial.
By Corey Lacey, Ph.D.
Learn more about ISA's “It’s Sustainably Soy” certification program, which recognizes companies and organizations that incorporate soy-based inputs into their products and projects.
By Olivia Key















