Take steps to reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals
URBANA, Ill. — PFAS are chemicals commonly found in consumer goods that are making their way into drinking water supplies where they are a risk to human health, but there are steps people can take to protect themselves.PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of more than 15...
Illinois 4-H teams shine at National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships
Grand Island, Neb – The National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, held from June 23-28, 2024, saw over 700 4-H teenage youth from more than 40 states gather to compete in various shooting sports disciplines, including shotgun, archery, rifle, and pistol, in an Olympic-...
To survive the summer heat, choose plants built for the sizzle
URBANA, Ill. — Summer can be a scorcher, but by selecting the right plants, a landscape can still look sultry all summer long.Both trialed and native plants can tolerate the heat. Trial plants are evaluated throughout the season for heat tolerance and can be planted in the ground or...
Youth master essential skills through livestock judging competition
Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2024 State Livestock Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus Jun. 17. Instead of leading animals, these young members were acting as judge, evaluating groupings of cattle, hogs, and sheep against a...
AgrAbility provides more resources, expands chronic disease webinar series through summer
URBANA, Ill. — Experiencing symptoms from chronic disease is a daily and often private occurrence for many. Illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, liver disease, bipolar disorder, or other chronic long-term conditions can cause symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety,...
Take care of your trees with summer Forestry Stewardship Series
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois has 4.8 million acres of tree-covered land. From shading homes and feeding wildlife to producing oxygen and filtering water, trees do a lot of heavy lifting. Give them a hand by discovering innovative, research-based management options in the summer Forestry...
Emerald ash borer continues spread through Illinois; Extension can help manage
URBANA, Ill. — While much of Illinois has been focused on the emergence of periodical cicadas in the summer of 2024, another insect is buzzing about that is more than a nuisance; it’s a threat to ash trees everywhere. In June, the...
Provide resources to pollinators in any space with container gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Supporting pollinators has become increasingly important as concerns over pollinator population decline are more evident. The good news is that even small spaces can provide resources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Container gardens are one solution for...
Specialist and migratory birds at greater risk under climate change
URBANA, Ill. — Following decades of decline, even fewer birds will darken North American skies by the end of the century, according to a new analysis by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Their...
Gardening for a hummingbird's travels
URBANA, Ill. — Hummingbirds are unlike any other bird. Spanning the Americas with over 330 species, hummingbirds belong to Trochilidae, the second-largest bird family in the world. However, only the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) inhabits the Midwest....
Extension leverages neuromarketing to boost awareness of HPV vaccine in Hispanic communities
URBANA, Ill. — Vaccines are a crucial line of defense in our fight against infectious diseases, acting as a protective barrier for communities. Yet, even with their demonstrated success, false information and doubts have created an unsettling resistance among some individuals. This hesitancy,...
Learn how to help others during an emergency with Mental Health First Aid training
URBANA, Ill. — One in five Americans has a mental illness, and depression and anxiety increased following the pandemic. Still, many are reluctant to seek help due to stigma or don't know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can...
Growing Extension forestry team speaks for the trees
URBANA, Ill. — Oaks, elms, hickories, and other trees cover Illinois in a tapestry of forests and woodlands that shade homes and parks, shelter and feed wildlife, produce oxygen, and stabilize soil. Trees once covered more than a third of Illinois, but now that number is halved and disease,...
Illinois youth live their “bass” life in summer tournament
Urbana, IL – Youth from across Illinois headed into the great outdoors to participate in the statewide 4-H Hooks Us Together Virtual Fishing Bass Challenge in May. While competition is the focus, participating youth take away much more from the experience. The intention of this...
Consider adding periodical cicadas to summer list of favorite ice cream toppings
URBANA, Ill. — “That’s surprisingly delicious!” This is maybe not the phrase first expected to be heard when trying a once-in-a-lifetime lunch menu of cicada pesto pizza, cicada tempura bites with lime aioli, and, for dessert, cicada ice cream sundaes.This spring, a team of...
Keep agriculture safety a priority with tips from Cultivating Caution webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Taking the extra time to plan safety precautions into daily routines can save a life when accidents occur, and they will. The agriculture industry is filled with risk, injury, and danger at about every turn. Cultivating Caution is a monthly webinar series that explores...
4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello earns spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Summer Camps 2024
MONTICELLO, Ill. — 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello has recently been included in Newsweek's list of America's Best Summer Camps 2024, earning a full 5-star rating. This recognition is especially meaningful as the camp celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer, marking decades of dedication to...
Illinois AgrAbility provides assistive technology to farmers statewide
URBANA, Ill. — Stepping in to assist farmers through research, conversation, knowledge, and assistance devices is how Illinois AgrAbility continues to work alongside farmers across the state of Illinois. Together, the two work together to...
