Reign of invasive rusty crayfish may be ending; Wisconsin lakes rejoice
URBANA, Ill. – Just how hard should natural resource managers fight invasive species after they establish? A new University of Illinois study suggests some invaders – even highly successful ones – can die...
2022 Field crop disease, insect management report available
URBANA, Ill — Every year, University of Illinois scientists conduct pest and disease surveys in corn and soybean crops across the state, along with in-field tests of insecticides, seed treatments, and more. The 2022 report, now available, describes ongoing Bt-resistance monitoring results; field...
Food brings greater understanding to international cultures
URBANA, Ill – A team of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educators flipped the traditional learning experience with an innovative outreach program that earned the University of Illinois Extension Excellence in Innovation Award.
“Culture, Cuisine, Conversation” is a hands-on self-...
Pursuing excellence: Staff named Extension’s best
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension serves as a statewide network with a presence in every Illinois county, linking communities, businesses, and the public to the intensive research and resources of the university and its partners.
Extension’s 650 staff members live in the...
Help begins at Extension's front door
URBANA, Ill. – Office support staff in local Extension offices connect residents with resources to solve their problems. These staff are often the first people the public meets at the local office and the voice they hear on the phone.
University of Illinois Extension recently...
Innovation drives performance for awardees
URBANA, Ill. – Having access to trusted, validated sources of reliable information and know-how is the driver of economic and societal progress. Such unbiased knowledge is the commodity of University of Illinois Extension.
Extension programs help people and communities solve problems,...
Extension is back to agribusiness with new farm business educator in Central Illinois
HAVANA, Ill. – After an 11-year hiatus, Kevin Brooks returned to University of Illinois Extension in December as the farm business management and marketing educator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. He previously served in this role from 2000 to 2011 in...
Tips for entering the cottage food business
URBANA, Ill. — Last year, the Home-to-Market Act, a set of legislative updates to the Cottage Food Law, came into effect in Illinois. Before this legislation passed, food operators could only sell homemade foods...
Livingston County youth sets exciting goal for helping feed Illinois hungry families
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— Illinois 4-H member Libby Larkin of Livingston County knows that hard work and dedication can make a lasting positive impact in local communities. The senior in high school is ready to take her advocacy work to the next level as she sets a goal to package 100,000 meals for...
Flowers are a forgotten love language
URBANA, Ill. – Love. Amor. Aimer. Liebe. Milovat. A red rose. Six different languages, all expressing the same emotion. Floriography is the forgotten language or secret language of flowers. Throughout history, including the Victorian Era and many cultures including the Persians have used flowers...
Cook County invests in the future of urban agriculture
URBANA, Ill. – From helping backyard gardeners provide locally grown foods to supporting the growing urban agriculture system, new University of Illinois Extension staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of diverse communities.
...
Teens named to take on statewide leadership role
Urbana, Ill. – Seven Illinois teens have a new way to make their voices heard on a statewide platform through the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team.
The team is comprised of 20...
Sow seeds of change, learn how to save garden seeds
URBANA, Ill. – As gardeners dream of spring and flip through catalogs looking for the best seeds, it makes you wonder where they come. Sure, seeds come from the fruit of a plant, but how does it happen? A good challenge for any gardener is to learn how to harvest and save seed.
If you...
From ground to air to space: Tillage estimates get tech boost
URBANA, Ill. – According to national USDA statistics, no-till and conservation tillage are on the rise, with more than three-quarters of corn and soybean farmers opting for the practices to reduce soil erosion, maintain soil structure, and save on fuel. However, these estimates are...
Northwestern Illinois welcomes new county director
URBANA, Ill. – Supported by a background in community health, new County Director Karla Belzer will guide University of Illinois Extension staff in ...
Put Ready…Set…Grow…on Your March Calendars
DIXON, IL---On Saturday, March 18, 2023, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties will be hosting 2023 Ready…Set…Grow… gardening workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Loveland Community Building, 513 W 2nd St., Dixon.
This...
Spend Saturday with a Whiteside County Master Gardener
STERLING, Ill.-Join Whiteside County Master Gardeners and discover the joy of plants. The Saturday with a Master Gardener series will start with the February 11, 2023 program; “I Drank WHAT?” Pick your poison, and get to know the more infamous plants and their toxins.
Plants are a...
Next generation of livestock leaders gain hands-on skills at youth conference
DECATUR, Ill.— The next generation of livestock leaders gained hands-on experience in the livestock field at this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference held Jan. 21-22 at the Decatur Hotel & Conference Center.
Attendees included 100 youth from 50 counties across...
New paper offers best practices for LGBTQ+ field scientists and mentors
URBANA, Ill. – People from marginalized gender and sexual identities can have safer experiences participating in ecological field research when leaders incorporate better field safety protocols and advocate for systemic changes, according to a new paper authored by scientists from Earlham...
