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Opinion

Solar power helps keep Illinois farms alive

Solar power helps keep Illinois farms alive

  • By Terry Rasmussen, Jubilee Creek Farm

Whether you’re an individual or a business, you need to constantly evolve.

Carrying hope into the growing season

Carrying hope into the growing season

    We’re living in the season of hope. Welcome to spring!

    A history of outhouses — it’s where everyone went

    A history of outhouses — it’s where everyone went

      There are few memories of long-ago farm days that bring as many reactions as recollections of old outhouses. One mention of the little building out back brings both smiles and turned up noses.

      Human intervention sought in age of AI

      Human intervention sought in age of AI

        I have a confession to make: I do not follow social media, but I do some doomscrolling.

        Hands-on learning in life, land

        Hands-on learning in life, land

          My parents were the best educators in life lessons, whether it was in 4-H, religion, on the farm or with family. We always knew where we stood and we always had a stellar example to follow.

          Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

          Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

          • By Arvid Huisman

          As I have grown older, I have witnessed an increasing frequency of funerals. 

          Economic toll most acute in rural America

          Economic toll most acute in rural America

            DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. economy has continued to perform reasonably well despite a growing constellation of warning signs. However, surging energy costs and extreme volatility in oil markets resulting from the ongoing Middle East conflict could shift the trajectory of the U.S. economy for t…

            25 years of observations on technology

            25 years of observations on technology

              I marvel at the ability of artificial intelligence to express coherent summaries of content. The world's storehouse of knowledge is indeed at our fingertips. 

              Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

              Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

              • By Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois

              ‘The more birthdays you have…’

              ‘The more birthdays you have…’

                Years ago a somewhat wise person told me the more birthdays you have, the longer you live. This came to mind recently when I celebrated another birthday.

                When discussion becomes negotiation

                When discussion becomes negotiation

                  Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

                  When discussion becomes negotiation

                  When discussion becomes negotiation

                    Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

                    Love of farming comes with pain

                    Love of farming comes with pain

                      Author’s note: Over the past 14 years since retirement, I consciously removed myself from the front lines on helping rural families with their life challenges — especially in the realm of economic crisis, which some farmers are now facing again.

                      To see a person with a disability as more

                      To see a person with a disability as more

                        As a society, we are too often preoccupied with the superficial. Good looks and athletic ability too often carry more weight than a pleasant personality, a caring heart and mental acuity.

                        When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                        When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                          As I continue to plod my way through winter, I’ve been mindful in trying to follow my own recommendations when it comes to managing mental health.

                          Leaders react to tariff decision

                          Leaders react to tariff decision

                          • By Tom Barton, Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau

                          Farmers and business leaders say the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs Feb. 20 underscores the need for stability in trade policy, while also amplifying concerns about the economic strain tariffs have placed on agriculture and manufacturing…

                          Winning the culture war at home

                          Winning the culture war at home

                            I am 85 years old. I’ve been around the block for a while.

                            Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                            Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                              Back in 1935 when Fats Waller recorded “I’m Going to Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter” he had no idea that the written letter — a common means of communication for centuries — would be an endangered art form 90 years later.

                              Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                              Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                                I think it was the winter of 1977-78, one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. I still remember the “treat” of being snowed in on a Thursday and Friday, so we kids had a four-day weekend.

                                Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                  Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                                  Strengthening family bonds in life’s second half

                                  Strengthening family bonds in life’s second half

                                    We just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary by taking a four-day cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel, Mexico. On a cruise ship, we had a captive audience, prepared meals, lots of entertainment venues and fun activities for every age group.

                                    Old perspectives for the new year

                                      Today was a hard day. Even though we are in a new calendar year, for some folks it may not be easy to start fresh. We are supposed have “resolutions” and a positive outlook for the new year.

                                      Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                      Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                        Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                                        Growing older? Continue to make memories

                                        Growing older? Continue to make memories

                                          Editor’s note: This was originally published July 29, 2010.

                                          Wrapping up the year with ritual, reflection

                                          Wrapping up the year with ritual, reflection

                                            Today is the winter solstice. Upon waking, Rudi, my German Shepherd, and I went outside and were treated to a spectacular eastern sky backlit with delicious orange cream, pink and lilac colors. It was an intense visual treat.

                                            More Opinion

                                            Editorials

                                            UW thinks big about pedestrian mall — the city of Madison should, too

                                            UW thinks big about pedestrian mall — the city of Madison should, too

                                            STATE JOURNAL VIEW:

                                            Make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                            Make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                            OUR VIEW: Madison should make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                            GOP for weed? Medical marijuana deserves swift passage

                                            GOP for weed? Medical marijuana deserves swift passage

                                            STATE JOURNAL VIEW: Republican bill allowing doctor-prescribed cannabis doesn't go far enough but represents progress and compassion

                                            Those 'Alcatraz' jail cells really need to go

                                            Those 'Alcatraz' jail cells really need to go

                                            STATE JOURNAL VIEW: Dane County leaders have dithered long enough on plans for better jail in Madison

                                            Columnists

                                            Human intervention sought in age of AI

                                            Human intervention sought in age of AI

                                            I have a confession to make: I do not follow social media, but I do some doomscrolling.

                                            Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                                            Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                                            Editor’s note: This was originally published May 30, 2005.

                                            Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                            Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                            Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                                            ‘Jeepers!’ When words become obsolete

                                            ‘Jeepers!’ When words become obsolete

                                            Jeepers Creepers, where’d ya get those peepers?” Now there’s a phrase you probably haven’t heard for a while. Perhaps you’ve never heard it. The line is from a song recorded by Louis Armstrong in the late 1930s.

                                            Letters to the Editor

                                            Letter to the Editor: Supreme Court acknowledges “buyer’s rights”

                                            The U.S. Supreme Court got something right (for a change) when they ruled that California can refuse to buy pork from another state if such pork is not raised to their demands.

                                            GOP strings together bad week — Alison Lindsay Mares

                                            GOP strings together bad week — Alison Lindsay Mares

                                            The State Journal on March 15 reported that legislative Republicans tried to introduce a bill that would give women even fewer rights and freedoms on abortion than they had before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

                                            Letter to the Editor

                                            There’s a great economics lesson to be learned in the front page article, “For Sale, U.S. crops find buyers despite fewer deals.” (February 11, 2023)

                                            Republicans push a race to the bottom -- Randy Schramm

                                            Republicans push a race to the bottom -- Randy Schramm

                                            Republicans are working hard to make Wisconsin like Mississippi -- one of the worst educated and poorest state in the nation.

                                            Curated Commerce

                                            Best Greens Powders for 2025: A Nutritionist’s Top 5

                                            Best Greens Powders for 2025: A Nutritionist’s Top 5

                                            Affiliate. We asked a nutritionist to share their top 5 greens powder picks to boost your daily nutrient intake and support overall health.

                                            9 Considerations Before Bringing a Pet Home In 2025

                                            9 Considerations Before Bringing a Pet Home In 2025

                                            Affiliate. Find out what you should consider when bringing home a new pet for the holidays. 

                                            8 best CBD gummies for relaxation and wellness

                                            8 best CBD gummies for relaxation and wellness

                                            Affiliate. Take a closer look at some of the top CBD gummy options on the market.

                                            Healthy Supplements for Dogs from St. Louis-based Native Pet!

                                            Healthy Supplements for Dogs from St. Louis-based Native Pet!

                                            Affiliate. Learn about Native Pet and their variety of healthy, natural supplements for pets.

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