Winter seed sowing
URBANA, Ill. – Winter-sowing is a cost-effective and low-maintenance way of starting plants for the garden. Creator of the winter-sowing method, Trudi Davidoff puts it in simple terms: starting plants outdoors, in winter.
“Winter-sowing works with nature to prepare seeds for growth...
Explore and assess your seeds this winter
URBANA, Ill. – While there may still be snow on the ground outside, it is never too early to start planning your garden for the spring. Begin by digging through your old seed packet stashes to find those still viable to plant.
Seeds are considered viable when they are capable of...
Growing holly
URBANA, Ill. – Evergreens such as holly, with its bright green leaves and sparkling red berries, add excitement to an otherwise dull winter landscape. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Fishburn provides insights on growing the winter favorite. ...
Overwintering tropical plants
URBANA, Ill. – Tropical plants have gained a lot of popularity in recent years as an easy way to add an attractive look to back patios, decks, and containers. Plants such as mandevilla, alocasia (elephant ear), and hibiscus are sold at garden centers in containers and, while they offer great...
Winter protection of woody ornamentals
URBANA, Ill. – As winter arrives, we all wonder at the temperatures we will have to endure throughout the season. Fortunately, ornamental plants begin preparing for winter early through a process called cold acclimation. The process is signaled by cooling temperatures and shorter day lengths....
Illinois Extension offers programming for coal-dependent communities
URBANA, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension’s Community and Economic Development team is making statewide outreach efforts in offering two local government education webinars that will focus on communities facing coal plant closures, and their economic, as well as environmental, implications...
Farm Bureau salutes outstanding 4-H members
The Youth Education Committee of the Illinois Farm Bureau and its affiliates awarded 10 Illinois 4-H members with its Leadership, Citizenship, and Professionalism Award at a ceremony held Saturday, Oct. 5 in Champaign. In addition to the award, the winners participate in an elite leadership...
These members are experiencing all 4-H offers
Illinois 4-H challenges youth to try new things, experiment in project areas that interest them, and explore opportunities around the state and country. The 4-H Experience Award recognizes youth who excel in that challenge.
“We celebrate youth whose 4-H experiences have expanded outside...
On target, on the range and in life
More than 3,600 4-H members participate in one of the five 4-H shooting sports disciplines. Each fall, the oldest of those members compete in four state contests to determine the state winners and delegates to the National 4-H Shooting Sports...
Illinois earns fifth at national dairy contest
The Illinois 4-H team claimed fifth at the 2019 National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. Nineteen teams competed at the annual contest held during the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
The team took fifth in the live placing division and seventh in oral reasons. In breed division...
4-H hunger summit earns citizenship award
An Illinois Extension 4-H hunger awareness program has earned the top citizenship award for the 12-state North Central region of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. The program will be recognized Nov. 6 at the group’s national meeting in White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia....
Fall House Guests
As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, we often start seeing uninvited insect guests in our homes, according to University of Illinois Extension educator Ken Johnson.
Boxelder bugs are commonly found trying to enter houses, especially if there’s a boxelder tree nearby....
Breaking the fall garden clean-up habit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URBANA, Ill. – Are you ready to change the way you clean up your perennial garden in the fall? Kelly Allsup, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, says changing just a few garden habits can make a huge difference to butterflies, moths, bees, and...
Early fall color
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URBANA, Ill. - Do you have a tree that is displaying fall color early this year? In Illinois, most trees do not begin to change colors for the season until October. Although some early color may be beautiful, this may be a sign of health issues. ...
Produce Safety Alliance - Grower Training Course
Do you have concerns about safety in your produce operation? Are you concerned about compliance with FSMA? Do you want to know more about the difference between FSMA and GAPs? Then the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training might be for you!
On December 18, 2019, from 8:00am...
Marion & Clinton County 4-H members recognized at Superior Young Producer Contests
$15,000 awarded to animal science scholars
Feeding a growing population requires youth who understand all aspects of the agricultural livestock industry. The 4-H Superior Young Producer Award scholarship program, in its 24th year in Illinois, rewards youth who have extended their...
Contest prepares young dairy producers
It may be a contest, but the true benefit of the Illinois 4-H State Dairy Judging Contest is that it teaches youth what it takes to raise profitable dairy production herds.
“It is important for young dairy breeders to understand the functional traits associated with high milk production...
Wollin wins state poultry contest
A Marion County 4-H member led all scores in the Illinois 4-H State Poultry Judging Contest held Aug. 7 in Springfield during the Illinois State Fair. Twenty youth from eight Illinois counties participated for the right to advance to national competition.
Dennis Wollin was the high point...
