I grew up in Kane County, which is the county just to the East of Dekalb county.As a kid it was mostly farm country but now the only thing that most of the farm ground grows in the eastern part of that county is houses and strip malls.  My dad used to work for Dekalb ag during the 80's. 1962 is a bit before my time . We live off of I-80 about 30 miles east of the Mississipi (well, 30 miles as a crow flies) right on the border of Bureau and Henry counties.

Used to go to the sandwich fair when I was in junior high.. .. If I had known than what  I was going to be doing now maybe I would have paid more attention to the exhibits... Mostly I was paying attention to the exhibitors 

Hanta, The first time I got beef from Walmart I was so disgusted with myself and with Walmart that I promised myself I woulld never buy meat from that place again period. It has advanced to groceries and other thigns as well... I understand the desire to make beef more affordable/ less scary for the masses to cook. To me beef is about the easiest thing to cook but I have been cooking since I was 9 so it is not a big deal to me. What I don't think is a good idea is removing the one thing beef really has going for it when compared to the other big proteins and that is FLAVOR.  I am sure there is a large population base that just doesn't care about it or notice the difference but I too share your concern that if we go to far in the direction of "walmart" type beef than we will be in real trouble.....