Illinois Department of Agriculture

10/06/2026

There is no single story of Illinois agriculture.

Hispanic and Latino farmers, agricultural workers, food entrepreneurs and business owners are part of the people and communities helping Illinois agriculture thrive.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re taking time to recognize those contributions and celebrate the people behind Illinois agriculture.

This week, we were also lucky to welcome international buyers from Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Honduras on a Grain Tour this is intended to develop relationships that will lead to an increase in export sales of Illinois agricultural products.

Agriculture grows because people do.

10/05/2026

Chicago, get ready to taste Illinois! The Illinois Product Expo is coming to Chicago October 16 and 17 at the UIS Forum.

✨ What to Expect:

🛍️ More than 70 Illinois vendors
🍴 Product samples throughout the Expo
🤝 Meet Illinois producers and makers
🆕 Discover new and unique Illinois products
❤️ Reconnect with your favorite Illinois brands
🛒 Shop products made and produced right here in Illinois
🌽 Experience the incredible variety of Illinois-grown and Illinois-made products

Whether you're looking for your next favorite snack, discovering a new Illinois brand, or stocking up on products you already love, there's something for everyone at the Illinois Product Expo – Chicago!

📍 UIC Forum – Chicago
📅 October 16–17, 2026

Come hungry, bring your shopping list, and get ready to Taste Illinois. Shop Illinois. Support Illinois.

10/03/2026

🌾 Did you know?

Grain bins can become dangerous in seconds. Flowing grain can act like quicksand, and a person can become trapped before they have time to react.

A few extra minutes of preparation can make all the difference. Make grain bin safety part of every harvest plan.

10/02/2026

What in season in Illinois in October? 🎃

Apples, Bell Peppers, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Grapes, Greens, Herbs, Horseradish, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Peas, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips

10/01/2026

Meet Luis, the newest member of the IDOA team!

As our new DEIA Outreach Coordinator/Recruiting Manager, Luis will be hitting the road this fall to connect with students, job seekers and professionals across Illinois and share opportunities to build a career with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

His first month is already packed! You can meet Luis at:
📍 Oct. 5 — WIU Agriculture Career Fair | Macomb
📍 Oct. 6 — State of Illinois Agency Career Fair | Mattoon
📍 Oct. 8 — EIU Fall Internship & Job Fair | Charleston
📍 Oct. 13 — Roosevelt University Fall Industry-Wide Internship & Career Fair | Chicago
📍 Oct. 15 — CMS Davie School Inn | Anna
📍 Oct. 21 — KnoXpo 2026 | Galesburg
📍 Oct. 26 — IDES Springfield Job Fair | Springfield
📍 Oct. 29 — John Wood Community College Ag Career Fair | Baylis
📍 Nov. 5 — Native American Job Fair | Springfield
📍 Nov. 18 — Highland College | Freeport

Whether you're looking for your first job, an internship or your next career move, stop by and say hello to Luis. He'd love to tell you more about what it's like to build a career with IDOA!

Follow IDOA for more career opportunities and events.

09/30/2026

⚠️ Before heading down the road during harvest, take a walk around your equipment.

Check your:
• Headlights
• Flashing lights
• Warning lights
• Reflectors
• SMV emblem

Dust, mud and field debris can make warning devices difficult to see. A few minutes of checking equipment before hitting the road can help make sure other drivers can see you, too.

Be seen. Be alert. Be safe.

09/30/2026

🏇 The 2026 Fall Classic is coming to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds!

Join us Wednesday, October 7, with post time at 12 p.m. for a full day of Illinois horse racing featuring:
🐎 10 Thoroughbred races with $120,000 in total purses
🐎 4 Quarterhorse races with $30,000 in total purses

Owners: Call-in entries will be accepted Saturday, October 3, from 8–11 a.m. at 618-542-1515. Entries must include the required Jockey Club ID or AQHA registration information.

📍 Du Quoin State Fairgrounds
📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ Post Time: 12 p.m.
🌧️ Rain Date: Thursday, October 8

All race conditions and races are subject to change.

09/29/2026

Now THAT'S a bountiful harvest! 🌱🥕🍅 Community gardens are a wonderful reminder of what can happen when people come together, get their hands in the soil and grow something meaningful. Here’s to a harvest worth celebrating!

🌾 Congratulations, The Enos Park Neighborhood Garden!

We're so excited to announce that for the first time ever, we have harvested a literal ton of produce from our garden! Yes, 2000 pounds of harvest!

We appreciate all of the volunteers who have worked in the garden this year to achieve this. Our garden thrives because of the community support we receive.

The harvest went first to our volunteers, many of whom struggle with food insecurity. We also donated to Kumler Outreach Ministries Food Pantry in our neighborhood, plus held a Free Farmers Market on site from June through August for direct distribution to our community.

While I'm not driven to increase our numbers every year, I am pleased to accomplish this!

09/28/2026

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the Latino farmers who are putting down roots and growing agricultural dreams right here in Illinois.

ABC7 Chicago recently shared the story of Osiel Rodriguez and Adalberto Sanchez, who traded city life in Elgin for an 11-acre farm near Hampshire. Their farm is a place to grow crops, raise animals and pass a love of the land on to the next generation.

Their story is part of a growing agricultural community — the 2022 USDA Census counted 129 Latino-owned farms across Chicago’s five collar counties, including 68 in McHenry County.

From generations-old traditions to new farming dreams, Illinois agriculture is strengthened by the people who bring their heritage, hard work and passion for the land with them.

Read their story from ABC7 Chicago:

A dream rooted in Mexico is taking shape on an Illinois farm. The owners shared their story with ABC7 this Hispanic Heritage Month as the number of Latino-owned farms continues to rise across Chicago's collar counties.

09/25/2026

Harvest season is busy enough without a field fire adding to the workload.

Before heading into the field each day, take a few minutes to check equipment for built-up crop residue, dust and debris. Pay close attention to hot engine components, damaged wiring and leaking fluids, where a small problem can quickly become a fire.

A little prevention can go a long way during harvest.