Prairie Farmer is a weekly newspaper which covers agricultural and rural news in the state of Illinois.

It was first published in 1841 in Chicago, Illinois by John Stephen Wright and was called The Union Agriculturist and Western Prairie Farmer.

"[2][3] Prairie Farmer is owned by Farm Progress, a subsidiary of British publisher Informa.

Upon its formation, Wright (not a farmer himself) proclaimed: Upon you we must rely for the matter that is to make this paper interesting and valuable.

What we wish is this -- as soon as anyone obtains valuable agricultural information, a recipe a plan or any other matter....that he would sit down and communicate it immediately.