Nick Westgerdes, AFM

05/26/2026

It's starting to get dry throughout portions of the state line. Most planting activity is complete which means we'd welcome rain once again. If dryness persists, we might have a slow start to the 2026 growing season.

**Flash Drought Likely In June**

The European model ensemble run this morning shows well below normal rainfall across the Midwest through the next 30 days with the jet stream holding steady across the southeast.

05/13/2026

Follow along as I head into the city for a meeting of The Chicago Farmers. Great job this week by Alec Bean who presented on the Soil Tax Guys and also Bill Bodine with the Illinois Farm Bureau who presented on Solar and Wind projects throughout the state.

05/05/2026

🐝🦋🐦🌾The native prairie behind the office is benefiting from all the spring rainfall. We'll check back in later this summer when everything is in bloom. We're passionate about nature, conservation and sustainability at New Roots Farm Brokerage. Illinois Audubon Society Monarch Watch

04/27/2026

It was my pleasure to serve as a judge for the 2026 NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Ag Business Contest. Students came from across the country to compete at Illinois State University. Thanks again for the invite and hospitality Maria Boerngen!

04/22/2026

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! A phenomenal reminder for all of us to plant a tree, pick up litter, reduce, reuse and recycle. Agriculture plays a big role in the future health of our planet.

I'm proud of the ways that farmers, landowners and their managers have increased their emphasis on sustainable and conservation minded cropping methods. It's important that we all do our individual part to protect the planet for future generations!

04/22/2026

Another amazing evening at Diamond G Ranch! Always a good time watching the riders compete.

04/17/2026

⛈️ Illinois & Wisconsin Drought Outlook: Planting 2026
In the past two weeks, portions of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin have received anywhere from 2 - 10 inches of rainfall!

Amazing what a difference a few weeks can make. Since I last reported a drought outlook, nearly all dry conditions in Wisconsin have been eliminated and in Illinois, the dry stress is now limited to a much smaller area.

More heavy rain is expected this afternoon for much of the region, then we'll need things to start to dry out some in order to get planters rolling in the fields.

04/15/2026

⚡️⛈️⚡️Mother Nature providing some fireworks this evening! This was just before sunset looking towards Freeport from Rochelle. More rain to further charge the soil ahead of spring planting! Brant Miller Meteorologist Morgan Kolkmeyer