One example: The price of oranges and the price of orange juice have both steadily increased in recent years due to declining production in Florida caused by large hurricanes.
CHICAGO - Consumers are unhappy with increasing food prices and blame inflation. In reality, natural disasters have a direct link to grocery costs, with no end in sight.
Climate change affects Illinois farms, especially drought. The weather extremes lower their livestock's productivity, raising the price of dairy and meat products.
Michael Stromberg, spokesperson for Trace One, a food and beverage regulatory compliance company, said the effects of floods, hurricanes, drought and extreme heat have a nationwide and global impact.
Photo: Hans/Pixabay
"The price of oranges and the price of orange juice have both steadily increased in recent years due to declining production in Florida caused by large hurricanes," Stromberg outlined. "Grain prices are through the roof in critical agriculture regions like the Midwest. It starts with drought. It affects a huge portion of agriculture in that region that has an aftereffect at the grocery store in terms of your grocery prices."
Illinois ranked 10th in the Trace One study of all 50 states where natural disasters have the biggest impact on the nation's food supply. Losses were mostly due to drought in Henry, Sangamon, Lee, Logan, Bureau and Mason counties.
Stromberg argued innovation is needed to solve these dilemmas. One solution is to develop and
distribute climate-resilient crops capable of withstanding extreme droughts and floods. Other strategies are to implement effective water resource management systems and invest in flood control measures alongside restoring natural buffers. Wetlands and watersheds will act as sponges to help mitigate the dangers of excessive rainfall. He added more answers can take on a scientific tone.
"Farmers can use newer precision agriculture technologies like IOT sensors, drones, advanced analytics that can allow farmers to better monitor weather patterns, things like soil health and their water usage, which can optimize resources better," Stromberg explained.
He urged the public to vote for policies prioritizing renewable energy, water conservation and sustainable agriculture to drive "incremental improvement," and for the public to reduce their food waste. Another Trace One study found Illinoisans lost slightly more than $1,900 per household, or $766 per person from food waste last year.
Five years after the first news of COVID, recent reports of an obscure respiratory virus in China may understandably raise concerns.
Chinese authorities first issued warnings about human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in 2023, but media reports indicate cases may be increasing again during China’s winter season.
Photo: Luisella Planeta/from Pixabay
For most people, hMPV will cause symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. In rare cases, hMPV can lead to severe infections. But it isn’t likely to cause the next pandemic.
What is hMPV?
hMPV was first discovered in 2001 by scientists from the Netherlands in a group of children where tests for other known respiratory viruses were negative.
But it was probably around long before that. Testing of samples from the 1950s demonstrated antibodies against this virus, suggesting infections have been common for at least several decades. Studies since have found hMPV in almost all regions in the world.
Australian data prior to the COVID pandemic found hMPV to be the third most common virus detected in adults and children with respiratory infections. In adults, the two most common were influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), while in children they were RSV and parainfluenza.
Like influenza, hMPV is a more significant illness for younger and older people.
Studies suggest most children are exposed early in life, with the majority of children by age five having antibodies indicating prior infection. In general, this reduces the severity of subsequent infections for older children and adults.
In young children, hMPV most commonly causes infections of the upper respiratory tract, with symptoms including runny nose, sore throat, fever as well as ear infections. These symptoms usually resolve over a few days to a week in children, and 1–2 weeks in adults.
Although most infections with hMPV are relatively mild, it can cause more severe disease in people with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease. Complications can include pneumonia, with shortness of breath, fever and wheezing. hMPV can also worsen pre-existing lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema. Additionally, infection can be serious in people with weakened immune systems, particularly those who have had bone marrow or lung transplants.
But the generally mild nature of the illness, the widespread detection of antibodies reflecting broad population exposure and immunity, combined with a lack of any known major pandemics in the past due to hMPV, suggests there’s no cause for alarm.
Are there any vaccines or treatments?
It is presumed that hMPV is transmitted by contact with respiratory secretions, either through the air or on contaminated surfaces. Therefore, personal hygiene measures and avoiding close contact with other people while unwell should reduce the risk of transmission.
The virus is a distant cousin of RSV for which immunisation products have recently become available, including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. This has led to the hope that similar products may be developed for hMPV, and Moderna has recently started trials into a mRNA hMPV vaccine.
There are no treatments that have been clearly demonstrated to be effective. But for severely unwell patients certain antivirals may offer some benefit.
Why are we hearing so many reports of respiratory viruses now?
Since the COVID pandemic, the pattern of many respiratory infections has changed. For example, in Australia, influenza seasons have started earlier (peaking in June–July rather than August–September).
Many countries, including Australia, are reporting an increased number of cases of whooping cough (pertussis).
In China, there have been reports of increased cases of mycoplasma, a bacterial cause of pneumonia, as well as influenza and hMPV.
There are many factors that may have impacted the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens. These include the interruption to respiratory virus transmission due to public health measures taken during the COVID pandemic, environmental factors such as climate change, and for some diseases, post-pandemic changes in vaccine coverage. It may also be the usual variation we see with respiratory infections – for example, pertussis outbreaks are known to occur every 3–4 years.
For hMPV in Australia, we don’t yet have stable surveillance systems to form a good picture of what a “usual” hMPV season looks like. So with international reports of outbreaks, it will be important to monitor the available data for hMPV and other respiratory viruses to inform local public health policy.
Infants and toddlers are at the greatest risk of suffering from an hMPV infection, a seasonal virus in the news identified more than two decades ago. While generally harsh the first time, symptoms are usually mild with subsequent reinfections.
(SNS) - A recent outbreak of hMPV in China in the current news cycle around the world because the China government is taking the rapid spread seriously, taking a preventive stance, asking citizens to wash their hands frequently, masking up, and pushing early testing.
Is there a reason to worry?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), "In adults of all ages, HMPV is a common infection, and, although often asymptomatic, it can result in serious infection that requires hospitalization."
Exactly who is at high risk of suffering from complications
Young Children: Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to serious respiratory conditions, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Older Adults: Individuals aged 65 or above, as well as those with chronic health concerns such as asthma or COPD, are more likely to have complications.
Pregnant Women: HMPV during pregnancy can result in respiratory issues, which may endanger both the mother and infants' health.
Immunocompromised Individuals: Those with weakened immune systems, whether due to medical conditions or treatments like chemotherapy, are at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
What is hMPV?
hMPV was first discovered in 2001 by scientists from the Netherlands in a group of children where tests for other known respiratory viruses were negative. It is in the same category of viral infections as the Pneumoviridae family and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
It is believed the virus originated in birds before adapting to infect humans. Genetic studies indicate it likely circulated among humans for decades before it was identified by scientists.
According to the CDC, hMPV is a virus that can cause upper and lower respiratory infections. Because we spend more time indoors during colder months, hMPV is more likely to circulate during the winter and spring months when other similar diseases, such as RSV and the flu, are prevalent.
The American Lung Association says that hMPV is most commonly spread from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected. Shaking hands, hugging or kissing as well as coming in contact with viral material from coughing and sneezing or touching objects such as toys or doorknobs are the usual methods of infection.
Resembling other respiratory illnesses, diagnosis and treatment can be assessed via three methods. There is a PCR test, much like the now standard COVID-19 test, available for doctors. The hMPV is a molecular test that detects the virus' genetic material with high accuracy and is regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis. Doctors can also use a Rapid Antigen Test. While providing faster results, they are less sensitive in detecting the virus compared to PCR tests.
The final method is the more evasive Bronchoscopy, which looks for changes in the lung tissue. A bronchoscopy is a standard procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs, trachea, and bronchi using a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope. The procedure is commonly used to diagnose and treat a variety of lung conditions.
hMPV usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold that lasts roughly 2-5 days and goes away. Most children who get infected with hMPV are age 5 or younger. According to Cleveland Clinic, you can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection. Severe symptoms and complications affect a small number of children (5-16%) who may develop a lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia. The majority of the infections occurred in children under the age of 14,
Once infected, patients will develop varying levels of immunity to subsequent exposures according to Cleveland Clinic. "You can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection."
KHN - When Michael Adams was researching health insurance options in 2023, he had one very specific requirement: coverage for prosthetic limbs.
Adams, 51, lost his right leg to cancer 40 years ago, and he has worn out more legs than he can count. He picked a gold plan on the Colorado health insurance marketplace that covered prosthetics, including microprocessor-controlled knees like the one he has used for many years. That function adds stability and helps prevent falls.
Prosthetic coverage by private health plans varies tremendously. Even though coverage for basic prostheses may be included in a plan, many insurance companies will cap payouts for devices and impose restrictions on the types of devices approved.
Photo: ThisisEngineering/Unsplash
But when his leg needed replacing last January after about five years of everyday use, his new marketplace health plan wouldn’t authorize it. The roughly $50,000 leg with the electronically controlled knee wasn’t medically necessary, the insurer said, even though Colorado law leaves that determination up to the patient’s doctor, and his has prescribed a version of that leg for many years, starting when he had employer-sponsored coverage.
“The electronic prosthetic knee is life-changing,” said Adams, who lives in Lafayette, Colorado, with his wife and two kids. Without it, “it would be like going back to having a wooden leg like I did when I was a kid.” The microprocessor in the knee responds to different surfaces and inclines, stiffening up if it detects movement that indicates its user is falling.
People who need surgery to replace a joint typically don’t encounter similar coverage roadblocks. In 2021, 1.5 million knee or hip joint replacements were performed in United States hospitals and hospital-owned ambulatory facilities, according to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHRQ. The median price for a total hip or knee replacement without complications at top orthopedic hospitals was just over $68,000 in 2020, according to one analysis, though health plans often negotiate lower rates.
To people in the amputee community, the coverage disparity amounts to discrimination.
Fewer than half of people with limb loss have been prescribed a prosthesis
“Insurance covers a knee replacement if it’s covered with skin, but if it’s covered with plastic, it’s not going to cover it,” said Jeffrey Cain, a family physician and former chair of the board of the Amputee Coalition, an advocacy group. Cain wears two prosthetic legs, having lost his after an airplane accident nearly 30 years ago.
AHIP, a trade group for health plans, said health plans generally provide coverage when the prosthetic is determined to be medically necessary, such as to replace a body part or function for walking and day-to-day activity. In practice, though, prosthetic coverage by private health plans varies tremendously, said Ashlie White, chief strategy and programs officer at the Amputee Coalition. Even though coverage for basic prostheses may be included in a plan, “often insurance companies will put caps on the devices and restrictions on the types of devices approved,” White said.
An estimated 2.3 million people are living with limb loss in the U.S., according to an analysis by Avalere, a health care consulting company. That number is expected to as much as double in coming years as people age and a growing number lose limbs to diabetes, trauma, and other medical problems.
Fewer than half of people with limb loss have been prescribed a prosthesis, according to a report by the AHRQ. Plans may deny coverage for prosthetic limbs by claiming they aren’t medically necessary or are experimental devices, even though microprocessor-controlled knees like Adams’ have been in use for decades.
Cain was instrumental in getting passed a 2000 Colorado law that requires insurers to cover prosthetic arms and legs at parity with Medicare, which requires coverage with a 20% coinsurance payment. Since that measure was enacted, about half of states have passed “insurance fairness” laws that require prosthetic coverage on par with other covered medical services in a plan or laws that require coverage of prostheses that enable people to do sports. But these laws apply only to plans regulated by the state. Over half of people with private coverage are in plans not governed by state law.
The Medicare program’s 80% coverage of prosthetic limbs mirrors its coverage for other services. Still, an October report by the Government Accountability Office found that only 30% of beneficiaries who lost a limb in 2016 received a prosthesis in the following three years.
Cost is a factor for many people.
“No matter your coverage, most people have to pay something on that device,” White said. As a result, “many people will be on a payment plan for their device,” she said. Some may take out loans.
Working with her doctor, she has appealed the decision to her insurer and been denied three times.
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed a rule that would prohibit lenders from repossessing medical devices such as wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs if people can’t repay their loans.
“It is a replacement limb,” said White, whose organization has heard of several cases in which lenders have repossessed wheelchairs or prostheses. Repossession is “literally a punishment to the individual.”
Adams ultimately owed a coinsurance payment of about $4,000 for his new leg, which reflected his portion of the insurer’s negotiated rate for the knee and foot portion of the leg but did not include the costly part that fits around his stump, which didn’t need replacing. The insurer approved the prosthetic leg on appeal, claiming it had made an administrative error, Adams said.
“We’re fortunate that we’re able to afford that 20%,” said Adams, who is a self-employed leadership consultant.
Leah Kaplan doesn’t have that financial flexibility. Born without a left hand, she did not have a prosthetic limb until a few years ago.
Growing up, “I didn’t want more reasons to be stared at,” said Kaplan, 32, of her decision not to use a prosthesis. A few years ago, the cycling enthusiast got a prosthetic hand specially designed for use with her bike. That device was covered under the health plan she has through her county government job in Spokane, Washington, helping developmentally disabled people transition from school to work.
But when she tried to get approval for a prosthetic hand to use for everyday activities, her health plan turned her down. The myoelectric hand she requested would respond to electrical impulses in her arm that would move the hand to perform certain actions. Without insurance coverage, the hand would cost her just over $46,000, which she said she can’t afford.
Working with her doctor, she has appealed the decision to her insurer and been denied three times. Kaplan said she’s still not sure exactly what the rationale is, except that the insurer has questioned the medical necessity of the prosthetic hand. The next step is to file an appeal with an independent review organization certified by the state insurance commissioner’s office.
A prosthetic hand is not a luxury device, Kaplan said. The prosthetic clinic has ordered the hand and made the customized socket that will fit around the end of her arm. But until insurance coverage is sorted out, she can’t use it.
At this point she feels defeated. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” Kaplan said.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
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This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Cybercriminals generally hack utilities for one reason: money. They also are deliberately targeting specific businesses, especially those that are civilian but support military installations.
CHICAGO - A former White House cybersecurity expert is warning of potential cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. And in Illinois, security analysts are heeding his message on the dangers.
As former acting principal deputy national cyber director, Jake Braun, executive director at the Harris School of Public Policy's Cyber Policy Initiative at the University of Chicago, said that during his time in the Biden White House, he dealt with escalating cyber threats from China and other nation-states - often targeting utilities.
"They are very deliberately targeting specific water utilities, specific energy operators and so on - that are civilian but support military installations," he said, "so that if we go to war, they've kind of seeded the battlefield, so to speak, with malware."
Of the approximately 50,000 water utilities throughout the United States, Braun said only a few hundred support military operations - and many of the rest are unprotected. Braun noted that he is working with the National Rural Water Association to recruit cybersecurity volunteers to help support local water utilities.
Cybercriminals generally hack utilities for one reason: money. Braun said ransom demands in exchange for the thieves releasing their hold on systems is rising. These schemes start primarily in Russia and other Eastern European countries, but nations such as China are also willing to infiltrate and weaken critical infrastructure.
Braun pointed to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund improvements to these systems.
"And many water utilities aren't even requesting the funds," he said. "So the funds are there, they're available, and water utilities often don't even know they can request the funds for that. And that is true for many other critical infrastructure."
Braun said some water utilities are in such rural areas that they struggle to find cybersecurity experts. He lauded volunteer programs such as the University of Chicago's Project Franklin to fill the gap.
Among the targets of cybersecurity attacks in Illinois 2024 were the Secretary of State's office, three colleges, and three hospitals.
BISMARCK - Gracie Hanner scored a team-high 12 points for Oakwood in the third-place game at the 2024 Blue Devil Classic Basketball Tournament. Her effort with 11 points from teammate Caydence Vermillion, fell short against North Vermillion, resulting in a 41-36 holiday tournament loss on Saturday, December 28.
The Comets (6-14) were within striking range at the end of the third quarter, 34-31, but could not sustain enough momentum to push past the Falcons in the final quarter.
North Vermillion was paced by Nora Thomann's game-high 13 points. The freshman starter, named to the All-Tournament team, also recorded 14 rebounds and two blocks. Juniors Kera Dunham and Cadence Dunham (5 rebounds, 7 assists) rounded out the team's top three scorers with nine and eight points, respectively. Kera Dunham was also named All-Tournament.
Oakwood received strong defensive efforts from seniors Rylee Wright and Bella Bradford. The duo grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists each.
The Comets look to correct their three-game losing streak on Thursday in a conference road game at Chrisman (2-12) and play their next home contest on January 16 against Georgetown-Ridge Farm (8-5).
The Urbana boys basketball team suffered a 75-44 loss to Trinity Christian Academy (Jackson, TN) on Saturday, December 28.
Down by five after the first quarter, Trinity exploded with a 26-8 run to end the first half up, 45-22. The Lions cruised to victory from that point on.
Senior Brayden Waller led all scorers with 19 points. Gabe Lee finished 17 points, and Kaleb Williams notched 14 for the Trinity Christian (9-5).
The Tigers will attempt to better its 3-5 season record on the road this Friday at Normal Community.
Ready to quit smoking in 2025? Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine.
Photo: Lil Artsy/PEXELS
StatePoint - Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond? Check out these recommendations from the American Medical Association:
Make nutritional tweaks: Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Drink water and choose nutritious, whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry.
Get active: A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the TV remote and going for a walk can improve healthy aging—highlighting the importance of small everyday habits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.
Get up-to-date: Get your vaccines in advance of respiratory virus season—including the annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, as well as pregnant people. People 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months later.
RSV can be dangerous for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 75 and older, and 60 and older at high risk for severe RSV, get vaccinated. Immunizations are also available to protect babies from getting very sick from RSV. This is important because RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide.
If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including GetMyFluShot.org. You can also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick.
Get screened: Make an appointment for preventive care, tests and screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious.
Know your blood pressure numbers: Visit ManageYourBP.org to understand your blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get hypertension under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. If checking your blood pressure at home, visit ValidateBP.org to see if your device has been tested for accuracy.
Learn your type 2 diabetes risk: Take a 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which carries a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.
Drink only in moderation: If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
Quit tobacco and nicotine: Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
Follow dosage instructions: When taking prescription opioids or other medications, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance—a serious public health problem.
Manage stress: Good mental health is part of good overall health. Get sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), exercise and ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.
More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org.
“The best way to address the post-holiday doldrums is to do something good for your health,” said Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “Even small, positive choices you make now can have a big impact on your long-term wellbeing.”
ST. JOSEPH - Kevin Martlage, the president of Nextier Advisors, is set to host a one-day Leadership Summit in St. Joseph on Jan. 22. Designed for both seasoned and emerging leaders, the event promises a full day of professional development, networking, and strategic collaboration with peers from across the region.
The summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering a streamlined schedule that balances intensive learning with respect for attendees’ work-life priorities.
“We designed the summit timeline so that it will allow leaders to attend while also being conscious of the all-important work-life balance,” Martlage said.
A veteran of corporate giants Xerox and FedEx, Martlage brings a wealth of experience in organizational leadership. During his tenure at both companies, he worked alongside top executives and received extensive training in management and leadership strategies. Yet, he acknowledges that his early career approach to leadership lacked alignment with his teams.
“Sure, I would attempt to utilize some of the concepts and theories, but I never seemed to be fully on the same page as those I was leading and those I reported to,” he said.
It was a shift to the nonprofit sector that transformed Martlage’s perspective. As director of certification at the International Society of Arboriculture, he discovered the critical importance of awareness, perception, and alignment in leadership. By tailoring his approach to the unique communication styles and decision-making processes of his team, Martlage fostered a culture of cohesion and high performance.
Participants will explore strategies for building trust, managing conflict, and addressing disruptive workplace behaviors—critical skills for leaders striving to cultivate a productive and harmonious work environment.
“I began to focus more on the reactions that I received and the business relationships instead of the output or the goals,” he explained. “I focused on understanding my team and how they liked to interact, receive information, make decisions, and work toward goals, which allowed me to adjust my approach to better support them in their career journey.”
The results, he said, were undeniable: a unified team that achieved milestones once thought out of reach.
Today, Martlage leads Nextier Advisors, a consultancy specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational strategy. Through his work, he has helped dozens of businesses and leaders achieve measurable success, and the upcoming Leadership Summit marks the launch of a new chapter in his mission to empower others.
The summit’s agenda is ambitious. Participants will explore strategies for building trust, managing conflict, and addressing disruptive workplace behaviors—critical skills for leaders striving to cultivate a productive and harmonious work environment.
“We are going to focus on a concept I call Mischief™, which is all about how to identify and address potentially disruptive behaviors in the workplace as you continue to build a cohesive and supportive work environment,” Martlage said.
Attendees will leave the summit armed with practical tools, including a personalized leadership development action plan and frameworks designed to enhance team dynamics.
“My hope with this summit is to provide impactful and affordable training right here in Central Illinois using the key leadership development concepts I provide to my clients across the country,” he said.
Martlage emphasized that the summit’s interactive format will set it apart. Participants can expect group exercises, dynamic discussions, and opportunities to connect with fellow leaders. Coffee and donuts, along with a catered lunch, will be provided, and an optional happy hour from 4 to 5:30 p.m. will offer additional networking opportunities.
The cost of registration is $249 per person, with details and online sign-up available at www.nextieradvisors.com.
For Martlage, the event is more than a workshop—it’s a chance to help leaders unlock their potential and redefine their impact.
“I use the analogy of flashlights and mirrors a lot,” he said. “As a leader and coach, it is my job to help shine the flashlight on areas of opportunity for someone to consider when it comes to the impact they wish to make, while also holding up the mirror so they can reflect on what they may need to adjust or be aware of to help lead their organization and team.”
With a career spanning both corporate and nonprofit sectors, Martlage has provided consulting services to organizations ranging from municipal leadership teams in southern Indiana to boards of directors and executive teams across North America. His guiding principle, he said, is simple: “Awareness grants you choice.”
Whether the summit becomes an annual fixture or inspires new initiatives, Martlage is confident that its impact will resonate long after Jan. 22.
“The success and impact this approach has had on my current and past clients is something that I feel is unique,” he said. “The key to the impact and success the training and information provide my clients is the power of awareness.”
For more information about the upcoming Nextier Advisors Leadership Summit contact Kevin Martlage at kmartlage1@gmail.com
As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect farmers, their advocates say the incoming Trump administration could take steps to reform the nation's industrial agriculture system.
Potential steps include ending foreign farmland ownership, blocking a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule mandating farmers use electronic ID tags on livestock, supporting low-wage farmworkers, and ending lobbying by global food corporations - said Joe Maxwell, chief strategy officer for Farm Action.
Maxwell said West Virginia voters overwhelmingly support reforms to break up major corporations' hold on the nation's food system.
"Eighty-eight percent of rural voters in battleground states during this last election cycle," said Maxwell, "say they would be more favorable toward a candidate who supports cracking down on meat processing monopolies and ensuring local businesses can compete."
Maxwell predicted that food producers will likely be hit harder by President Donald Trump's tariff plan.
The nation's largest food and agriculture legislation, known as the Farm Bill, expired last fall, and lawmakers have yet to agree on a new version.
Maxwell said a new Farm Bill would offer a chance to make major changes to benefit small farmers and consumers, and boost local supply chains.
"We believe with the current environment" said Maxwell, "it is reasonable to have the perfect opportunity to get both parties pushing for antitrust reform and action within the next two years."
According to a Farm Action report, between 2017 and 2022, more than 140,000 farmers nationwide went out of business.
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
by Terri Dee
