State Agriculture Director says weather, immigration arrests and tariffs are causing anxiety on Illinois farms
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II greets visitors to the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, before joining Gov. J.B. Pritzker in unveiling this year's presentation of the butter cow. AP Photo/John O'Connor
As we continue our coverage of the 2025 Illinois State Fair, we discussed the state of agriculture in Illinois. Earlier this week, Reginald Hardwick, Illinois Public Media Director of News and Public Affairs, spoke with Jerry Costello, the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. They spoke about this year's growing season, any affects being felt by cuts to USAID funding and how federal immigration policy is being felt on our fields.
Guest:
Jerry Costello
Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture
