Shike wins national title, Unity's FFA teams make their mark

Olivia Shike poses with her gold medal at the 2021 National Agriscience Fair. Photo courtesy Rich McCabe
Unity FFA member Olivia Shike won the national title in the Animal Systems division at the 2021 National Agriscience Fair in Indianapolis.

The fair was held in conjunction with the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in October. The annual Agriscience Fair encourages the use of scientific principles and emerging technologies by students to investigate complex issues related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The competition starts at the local level and progresses to the state and ultimately to the national level each year.

Shike's project, which studied the effects of trace mineral injections on the conception rates of cows, also included submitting a 14-page research paper and creating a display detailing her research. "She started her agriscience fair project in the fall of 2020 and has progressed through the local and state judging rounds," according to Unity High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor Rich McCabe. One of three finalists at the national level, her research project was chosen as the best, beating out student researchers from South Dakota and Wyoming.

Shike, a sophomore who also runs cross country for the Rockets, was named National Agriscience National winner in Divison 3.

"Olivia was obviously excited to be named the national champion for her agriscience fair project," McCabe said.

Unity's FFA program's Farm Agribusiness and Management team also earned recognition at the national competition. Phillip Hartke, Delaney Kamradt, and Emma Felsman earned Gold Awards and Destiny Williamson earned a Silver Award. As a team, the group representing Unity finished in 8th place overall nationally.

Unity FFA Agribusiness team. Photo courtesy Rich McCabe

The National FFA Farm Agribusiness and Management Career Development Event (CDE) tests the ability of student FFA members to analyze farm and ranch management that challenge modern-day operations by using sound economic principles and agribusiness concepts. In addition to undergoing a problem-solving test, students must answer questions specific to economic principles in farm management.

"The Farm and Agribusiness Management team had to study through the summer and take a very detailed test for over three hours reading a variety of financial statements," McCabe explained.

Unity's Horse Evaluation team also placed at the national event.

"The horse evaluation team members qualified last fall and have been working on and off ever since," McCabe said. "The horse evaluation competition involves delivering a set of oral reasons for their placing to a judge. Some of the members of our team are very shy and I am proud of them for stepping out of their comfort zone."

Olivia Shike, Emma Aders, and Rachel Aders received Gold Awards for their effort, and Marie Baxley brought home a Silver Award from the National FFA Horse Evaluation CDE.

The Unity Horse Evaluation Team ... Photo courtesy Rich McCabe

The horse evaluation event tests each student's ability to select and evaluate horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. Students look at eight selection classes, four performance classes, four sets of oral reasons, and two sets from each evaluation class. Teams also work together to give a presentation to defend their decisions before a panel of expert judges.

"I am extremely proud of the students' accomplishments," McCabe said. "The farm and agribusiness management and horse evaluation teams were thrilled to be named as gold teams.

"This is the first time any of them has participated in a national contest, and they didn't know what to expect. We would have loved to be in the top four and receive the results during the on-stage recognition, but placing gold is the next best opportunity."

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Farmers say Illinois' John Deere right to repair suit is 'common sense'

Photo: Insa Osterhagen/Pixabay
by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

Many states have considered so-called "right to repair" legislation, but only Colorado has passed a law specifically related to farm equipment.

CHICAGO - Some Illinois farmers say a lawsuit against equipment manufacturing titan John Deere is long overdue, and they hope the outcome is not more laws but rather, the right to repair their own equipment.

The Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General from Illinois and Minnesota have sued Deere for monopoly practices they allege unfairly drive up costs and resolution times for fixing farm equipment.

Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, said manufacturers use intellectual property as an excuse to not share the details of their equipment technology.

"If folks could imagine being told by the manufacturer of their car, their minivan or their pickup truck that they, number one, cannot repair it on their own -- that they have to take it into the dealer and get the dealer equipment every single time and get those repairs made -- that would be outrageous," Larew contended.

As a company, John Deere said it has taken a number of steps to support customers' ability to maintain their machines and called the lawsuit "baseless."

Many states have considered so-called "right to repair" legislation, but only Colorado has passed a law specifically related to farm equipment. Larew noted manufacturers have long used promises or nonbinding agreements with equipment dealers to maintain their autonomy.

"In those agreements, it actually prevents farmers from fighting for their right to repair, and in exchange for that they promise to do better and to grant some additional access," Larew explained. "But I think as farmers, we see this really as pretty straightforward, common sense, and we need this issue completely resolved."

Larew added it is a bipartisan issue and is hopeful for a resolution, either through legal or legislative channels. President Donald Trump's new appointee for FTC chair, Andrew Ferguson, has said while he is in favor of right to repair legislation, he does not agree with the decision to file a lawsuit.

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Looking for a family fun activity? Urbana's PostMark set for Saturday fits the bill

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URBANA - 40 North and the Urbana Arts and Culture Program will host the year’s first PostMark Urbana event this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Elm City Roastery, located at 208 W. Main St. in Urbana.

PostMark Urbana is a family-friendly event series that highlights the fun things to do in Urbana through interactive activities, art, and food. PostMark - short for "post market" - is a monthly program designed to promote downtown Urbana as a cultural and shopping destination.

This weekend’s theme focuses on recycled and repurposed art and activities. The Elm City Roastery will serve as the hub for attendees to explore journal-making and vision board design, with materials sourced from Lincoln Square’s IDEA Store. More than 50 pieces of recycled art created by Urbana School District 116 students will also be on display at various participating locations.

40 North will have a table offering PostMark maps and hosting a puzzle exchange. Visitors are encouraged to bring old puzzles and swap them for new ones to enjoy during the winter months.

Other featured events include a free mindfulness session with crystal singing bowls led by instructor Vivianne Velazquez at Gallery Art Bar. The Gilbert Gallery will showcase new works from local artists, and The Enchantment Alley will display a collection of beautifully crafted junk journals.

Additionally, the event will feature a raffle for a $50 gift card. Raffle entries can be submitted at participating PostMark businesses.

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Illinois lawyer says Kilmar Obrego Garcia case is a ‘constitutional crisis’

"The idea that the U.S. government is absolutely flouting our constitutional right to due process is terrifying, ..."

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - An Illinois law professor is weighing in on what she called a "very public and open test of due process" for immigrants being deported from the United States without court hearings.


On Wednesday, a U.S. district judge denied the Justice Department's request to further delay the wrongful deportation case of a Maryland man, Kilmar Obrego Garcia, who was sent to a prison in El Salvador. Both a U.S. District Court and the U.S. Supreme Court have ordered the Trump administration to "facilitate" his return.

Victoria Carmona, clinical professor of immigration law, Chicago-Kent College of Law, said regardless of citizenship status, the lack of due process for one person is a crisis for everyone.

"The idea that the U.S. government is absolutely flouting our constitutional right to due process is terrifying, because if they're going to do it for one person, this is the test case," Carmona explained. "This is to see what can the government get away with and start pushing the odometer further and further away from due process. And it should be scary to everyone."

The government now has until May 5 to report any efforts it is making to comply with the court orders. In the meantime, Gov. JB Pritzker said Illinois is looking into ways to cut any state financial ties to Salvadoran companies in protest of that government's imprisonment of hundreds of deportees taken from the U.S. without court hearings.

Obrego Garcia already had a set of protections which said he could not return to his native country of El Salvador for fear of government persecution. The Justice Department said deporting him was an administrative error, although the Trump administration insists he is affiliated with a gang.

Carmona pointed out both countries' leaders are making the case more difficult to resolve.

"From El Salvador's perspective, I'm sure they're upset because their citizen had essentially claimed protections and saying that the El Salvadoran government would harm him if he returned," Carmona observed. "But this idea that the U.S. has no position to facilitate his return is an absolute lie."

Whatever happens to Obrego Garcia, Carmona added the unprecedented nature of the executive branch ignoring judicial orders has set the U.S. up for a constitutional crisis.

"At this point, I think Congress should be looking at impeachment," Carmona contended. "If Trump is going to clearly violate the Supreme Court orders, the resolution is impeachment."

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Under Trump, how will gun violence prevention fare?

Photo: StockSnap/Pixabay
by Mike Moen
Minnesota News Connection

While the future is uncertain for this White House initiative, Trump has dismantled a new school safety committee that included parents of school shooting victims.

ST. PAUL - President Donald Trump has been busy signing executive orders since his inauguration.

Gun violence prevention advocates in Minnesota hope he isn't aggressive in undoing recent work to keep communities safer.

The White House website for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, created under the Biden administration, recently went dark.

Staffers insist sudden online changes are a formality as they retool under new leadership, hinting that landing pages for key topics will be restored.

But Maggiy Emery, executive director of the group Protect Minnesota, said she doesn't feel reassured much of the office's mission will be maintained.

"We were finally seeing some of those rates of gun violence go down," said Emery, "you know, especially here in Minnesota."

Gun violence deaths in Minnesota were down 5% in 2023, the last year for available numbers.

And the national Brady organization credits the Office of Gun Violence Prevention for supporting the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms in shutting down more than 800 rogue gun dealers in the U.S.

While the future is uncertain for this White House initiative, Trump has dismantled a new school safety committee that included parents of school shooting victims.

Trump administration officials say they want to prioritize national security matters.

But Emery said despite recent progress, gun violence is still a public health crisis in the U.S.

She added that the initiative under President Joe Biden was bringing to light how rural areas affected.

"We know that the Office of Violence Prevention on the federal level was looking at what can we do to reduce rates of gun violence," said Emery, "not only in urban areas, but in rural areas where folks are really the most impacted in Minnesota. You know, guidances and legislation around safe storage is now looking more unlikely."

More than 70% of gun deaths in Minnesota are from suicides, and Emery said most are in rural areas.

If federal solutions fall by the wayside, she said she hopes Minnesota lawmakers pass a state law for safe gun storage this year.

In Trump's first term, bump stocks - the rapid-fire gun accessories - were banned. However, the U.S. Supreme Court later struck down that order.

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Small farms disproportionately impacted by extreme heat according to recent study

Researchers say there's no silver bullet for mitigating the effects of heat stress on herds.

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - A new study shows how extreme weather conditions negatively affect production yields on Midwest dairy farms, with a disproportionate impact on smaller farms.

Researchers at the University of Illinois studied milk production records from nine Midwest dairy farmers. Considering both temperature and humidity when measuring extreme heat, they found farms lose about 1% of milk yield annually because of heat stress, while smaller farms lose closer to 2%.

Marin Skidmore, study co-author, said when cows are in extreme heat, it can cause increased restlessness and risk of infection, and decreased appetite, which reduces milk yield and impacts bottom lines.

"To some extent, it's only 1.6%. But if you're really making every dollar from your paycheck count, because you're living in a time with high costs, then 1.6% of your paycheck being gone in a given year is meaningful," she said.

The study predicts extreme heat days to be much more frequent in years to come and milk yield losses to increase about 30% in the next 25 years.

The Midwest tends to have smaller dairy farms compared with other states, with herds ranging from 100 to 200 cows. Researchers say being able to track and compare daily milk yields across a large region with similar climates has never been done before. Skidmore said their findings suggest that larger herds seem to have some level of protection to extreme heat compared with smaller farms, which start to see impacts of heat stress at lower thresholds.

"And this is additionally concerning in the context that we're studying because we've seen a lot of dairy farm exits over the last decade or two, and many of those are small farms," she added.

While researchers say there's no silver bullet for mitigating the effects of heat stress on herds, recommendations include adjusting feeding and calving timing, and using sprinklers and improved ventilation systems.

Skidmore emphasized the need for additional support for small farms since capital costs can be particularly constraining.

"Having the access to enough capital to make these really big investments is difficult, and grants or loans to help small farms adopt some of these management technologies could be one avenue to help small farms cope with heat stress and keep them competitive," she continued.

Skidmore said more research is also needed to explore other options to best manage extreme heat on dairy farms.

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Unity Rockets extend winning streak, defeat Williamsville 55-52

WILLIAMSVILLE - Like two evenly matched heavyweight prizefighters, Unity and Williamsville slugged it out toe-to-toe for bragging rights in their Illini Prairie/Sangamo Challenge Shootout game on Saturday. Coleton Langendorf scored nine points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Rockets (21-6), representing the IPC, past the Bullets, 55-52.

Unity Athletics Langendorf led his team with 16 points and went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. He was one of three players to finish with double-digits, joined by Brayden Henry and Brady Parr, who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Unity trailed by one point at the end of the first quarter but took a 25-24 lead at halftime.

Carson Doran of the Bullets led all scorers with 23 points. He added nine points in the third quarter to tie the game at 40. The 6-foot-3 senior made all four of his free throws but fouled out in the fourth quarter. With Williamsville's star player sidelined, Unity meticulously outscored the hosts 15-12 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Unity will return to the Rocket Center on Tuesday to host the Vikings from Danville for another non-conference challenge. Langendorf and the Rockets will face a formidable opponent as they aim to extend their 13-game winning streak to 14. The varsity game tips off at 7 p.m.

Unity has three regular-season contests remaining. Their biggest challenge comes on Friday when Matt Franks and the Rockets put their undefeated conference record on the line at St. Joseph-Ogden against the Spartans, who are 5-1 in the IPC and 17-7 overall. After Friday's game, Unity will play their final home game against rival Monticello and finish the schedule with a road game at Oakwood.

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Playing a critical role, American farmers are stepping up to help solve global hunger

Farm implement in the early morning field
Noah Buscher/Upsplash
StatePoint Media -- With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain problems stemming from the global pandemic, and the world struggling under escalating inflation and a rapidly changing climate, the global hunger crisis has reached new levels.

Every night, more than 800 million people go to bed hungry, with the number of severely food-insecure people more than doubling from 135 million before COVID-19 to 345 million today, according to the World Food Program. At the same time, American agricultural exports of farm and food products shattered records in 2021 to total $177 billion, according to the USDA, demonstrating the instrumental role American farmers play in the U.S. economy, and in feeding the world.

"It’s more important than ever that the United States continues to lead globally to protect food systems abroad and our citizens at home from supply chain disruptions and rising prices," said Dan Glickman, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. "As we face growing threats and crises on the global stage from wars, drought, climate change and food insecurity, farmers are part of the solution and will play a key role helping to save lives."

This is the driving idea behind a newly-launched initiative: Farmers for Prosperity. This network of agribusiness leaders is committed to U.S. global engagement by harnessing American resources to feed the world. Convened by the USGLC, Farmers for Prosperity will also shine a spotlight on both the role farmers play in solving critical global issues, and on why U.S. global leadership is essential to protect the security, health and economic interests of American families.

The launch of Farmers for Prosperity recently took place at USGLC’s Heartland Summit, hosted in Minnetonka, Minnesota, West Lafayette, Indiana, and Wichita, Kansas. The Summit, an annual event, convenes leaders this year from across the heartland with the aim of unpacking how strategic investments in agriculture, digital technology and global development help create jobs, feed the hungry, reduce poverty and keep America safe. Advocates are highlighting this year’s biggest takeaways:

• When communities are food insecure, it can lead to instability, slowing economic growth, perpetuating conflict, impacting child development and worsening malnutrition. Working with partners around the world, American farmers can help feed the world and save lives.

• U.S. leadership on the global stage is vital to advancing national economic and security interests, and agriculture is a part of that equation. Farmers have unique and important views on what it takes for the United States and the world to prosper, making it important for them to help shape foreign policy by educating policymakers on the challenges on the ground.

• Ensuring that American farmers have access to developing and emerging markets around the world is critical for the domestic economy. U.S. agricultural exports support over 1.3 million jobs on the farm and in related industries such as food processing and transportation.

To watch the 2022 Heartland Summit or learn more about Farmers for Prosperity, visit heartland.usglc.org

"Farmers around the world are not all that different. Together, they grow the food that sustains communities. At a time of global crisis, American farmers can lead the effort to tackle hunger and food insecurity," says Glickman.

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Immigration courts offer many barriers and too few solutions to a complex process

Garcia noted it is a misconception most immigrants speak Spanish. She has heard many other languages, from Arabic to Creole to Mandarin.

courtroom

Photo: Saúl Bucio/Unsplash

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

CHICAGO - As the Trump administration's deportation efforts continue, more people find themselves in immigration court.

Immigration law is complicated, and most immigrants who navigate the court system do so by themselves.

Kelly Garcia, a reporter for Injustice Watch who covers immigration courts in Chicago, said the lack of legal representation and language barriers add to the complexity. Garcia noted almost no one she has encountered in the Chicago court speaks English, yet all the signs and case sheets are in English. Many show up late or miss their hearings because of it.

"If you miss your court hearing, the judge can order your removal," Garcia pointed out. "These barriers have very serious consequences for people - and it's very sad, honestly. It's very sad to witness that."

Garcia noted it is a misconception most immigrants speak Spanish. She has heard many other languages, from Arabic to Creole to Mandarin and said most people do not know they need to request a court interpreter in advance of their hearing or risk having their case delayed. Those who show up late or not at all could be immediately removed from the country.

Research shows those with legal representation fare better in court. But people in immigration court do not have the right to an attorney if they cannot afford one. The burden of proof, to show they were charged incorrectly or request temporary relief through asylum, falls on them.

Groups like the National Immigrant Justice Center and Legal Aid Chicago are on-site to help address some gaps. As the daughter of an immigrant, Garcia emphasized she can relate to the range of emotions she sees in court.

"It just feels very personal to me, because I know how it impacted my mom," Garcia recounted. "I know how hard and difficult that was for her and I also recognize that it's only gotten harder for a lot of people, especially for people who have migrated [from] very dangerous conditions, here."

Garcia added she has seen many people come to the U.S. for reasons beyond their control. She said her time covering the immigration court has prompted her to work on creating an "explainer" story to help answer the many questions she hears from defendants every day.

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