Holly Spangler

Illinois

Executive Editor at Prairie Farmer

Editor, Prairie Farmer + Executive Editor, Farm Progress. Farmer.

Articles

New features for 20th anniversary in Decatur, Ill.

2 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

What’s the best news for the folks planning the Farm Progress Show every year? “The corn is in the ground, it’s all up, and it looks good!” says Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director, adding that the crop was planted by April 17. “That takes a lot of the load off of us,” Jungmann says. The Farm Progress Show comes back to Decatur in 2025, from Aug. 26-28, and it’s a big year for Decatur and FPS: the 20th anniversary of the first Decatur show.
Farmers navigate trade war impacts on ag exports

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Ava Splear |Holly Spangler

Ask Brady Holst what his top five concerns are for the 2025 crop year, and he’s thoughtful but decisive. “Tariffs would be No. 1,” says the Augusta, Ill., farmer, as his planter rolls across his last field. “The other four? I don’t know, tariffs might be one through five!”Holst may have more insight into tariffs and markets than the average farmer, thanks to his position as market development chair for the Illinois Soybean Association board.
Young vs. old farmers, long-term consequences

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

Talking tariffs and trade wars and the general upsetting of the USDA apple cart, I’ve noticed a trend among farmers. Older farmers? They’re fine with the chaos. They’ve been waiting a long time for someone to really shake things up. They’re sitting comfortably on land they own and figure, “Bring it on and reset everything.”Young farmers? Not so much.
U of I program tackles large-animal vet shortage in Illinois

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

Anyone with livestock in Illinois knows it’s hard to find a large-animal veterinarian these days — and if you have one, he or she is likely stretched thin and looking for all the help they can get. The University of Illinois has announced a new program that it believes will produce more large-animal veterinarians throughout the state.
Handling harassment in agriculture

2 months ago | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

His leg pressed against mine. We were crammed into two seats on a commuter jet between Dallas and Peoria, Ill. It was tight. I didn’t think much of it. I moved my leg, resituated myself. He moved his foot back into his space. Weird. But the guy had to be in his 70s. Maybe he was tired. Sure enough, it looked like he fell asleep. Then his leg leaned into mine again. I moved again, gave his leg a little shove, the kind that could’ve been me accidentally bumping into him. He moved back into his space.
5 things you may not know about carbon farming

2 months ago | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

How does a farm boy from Canada wind up in a room with Pepsi employees explaining how corn grows? ADM’s Graig Whitehead made that exact journey, thanks to carbon. Whitehead is director of biologicals and new technology for ADM Fertilizer, and he’s spent the past several years working with carbon markets. ADM’s carbon program pays farmers who deliver grain premiums for adopting practices that improve their carbon intensity scores.
We crack the code on white vs brown eggs, pasture-raised eggs and more

2 months ago | foodism.to | Katie Bridges |Holly Spangler

Few ingredients are as versatile as the egg. Whether it’s eaten on its own, boiled, poached or scrambled; added as a binding agent in baked goods or burgers; or shaken into a whisky sour, eggs take us from breakfast to dessert to cocktail hour. They also pack a serious nutritional punch. Just one egg contains six grams of protein; it’s rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; and it’s one of the best sources of choline, an essential nutrient that helps keep cells and brains healthy.
Behind the farm show scenes

2 months ago | beefmagazine.com | Holly Spangler

As preparation for the 2023 Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days ramps up, here’s a backstage look and a sneak peek at what you can look forward to. Holly Spangler, Senior Editor, Prairie FarmerJune 8, 2023BIG SHOW: Host farmers are hard at work managing the crops that will be harvested live at the 2023 Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days.
Honorary Master Farmer

Mar 10, 2025 | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

For someone who’s led a major state commodity organization for 32 years, Rodney Weinzierl may be one of the least best-known people in Illinois agriculture. He does his job well: working behind the scenes and pushing farmers forward. “They’re our leaders, and it’s important for them to lead,” explains Weinzierl, executive director of IL Corn. “I’m not a get-out-and-speak and rah-rah person.”Still, he recently found himself in the uncomfortable glare of the spotlight, right on Capitol Hill.
Curious by nature

Mar 6, 2025 | farmprogress.com | Holly Spangler

Quick to smile. Ready to engage. The first to make everyone else in the room comfortable but also the first to ask the hard questions. Early to innovate. Eager to lead. Deeply committed to agriculture. That’s Maple Park, Ill., farmer and 2025 Prairie Farmer Master Farmer Steve Pitstick, according to his friends. Steve would defer and say he’s just done what needed to be done as opportunities came along — and they did.

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Holly Spangler @hollyspangler

14 May 25

RT @farmdocDaily: The 2025 #Illinois #Farmland #Values and Lease Trends report shows a shift toward softening land values and cash rents. @…

Holly Spangler @hollyspangler

24 Apr 25

Pro-tip for fellow rural homeowners: do not under any circumstance buy an LG refrigerator @LGUS. Our 4yo fridge died April 13. Whew - it’s under warranty! Called immediately. Nothing but broken promises+no service for past 9 biz days. Except for the fridge. It’s still broken.

Holly Spangler @hollyspangler

26 Feb 25

That’s my boy! Homegrown Illinois farm kid