In the midst of fruit trees and evergreens, several ponds and corn stalks, Keith Jackson’s 60-acre piece of land is devoid of urbanization. And by signing a lease agreement with the state of Ohio, Jackson is doing all he can to ensure that housing subdivisions and commercial developments never take root on this farm.

Farmhands at Natick Community Organic Farm in South Natick, Mass., have spent the week doing everything possible to save their tomato crop from late blight, the same fungus believed to have caused the horrific Irish potato famine in the 1840s.

State legislatures throughout the country are grappling with chemical drift from farm fields and the conflict between the rights and pressures of farming and the rights and health of rural residents.

Tim Cooke leased a half-acre of private land to plant his garden, from which he hopes to harvest 15,000 pounds of organically grown tomatoes to sell to local restaurants, markets and other farmers.

The deluge of rain this season has been deadly for local produce — mainly corn, berries, squash and hay — washing away vital nutrients and business for regional farmers.

Frank Caruso, plant pathologist for the UMass Cranberry Station research center in Wareham, Mass., says the cool and damp weather could cause problems for the potato, tomato and strawberry crops.

With restaurants and stores scrambling to meet the public’s demand for local produce, it couldn’t be a better time to be an organic farmer.

The threat of a swine-flu outbreak — and daily precautions needed to prevent it — should never be far from a hog producer’s mind, says third-generation farmer Dereke Dunkirk. His family has 4,500 animals on their farm near Morrisonville, about 40 miles southeast of Springfield.

Tom Cauley has jumped out to a lead in the race for Hinsdale Village President with all three Cook County precincts reporting as of 8:45 p.m.

Ethanol producers have a tall order in front of them in 2009: They have to produce more ethanol despite a rise in economic pressures and a drop in demand. “It’s likely to be a tough year. Markets are not in good shape,” said Ron Miller, CEO of Pekin-based Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings Inc.

Global positioning satellites and other tools help make farming more efficient and cost-effective.

Huntley police said they found the bodies Wednesday afternoon of two people shot to death  in the home of the 11000 block of Janice Dr. in Huntley.

Milk it while you can. Price tags on everything from french onion dip to sour cream are falling. And though a drop for a nutritional staple like milk points to major economic trouble, consumers nonetheless are reaping the benefits of the plunge in dairy prices.

Marlington High School future farmers drove their tractors to school this morning. It’s  part of FFA week.

As you scan Steve Mayes' honey-making operation in Mackinaw, with its large industrial pot and plastic teddy bear containers ready to be filled, you wouldn't know his industry was in trouble.