4-H members take aim during Summer Sizzle Shoot
HENRY, Ill. – Illinois 4-H members showed focus and a steady hand as they competed for top honors in the annual Summer Sizzle Shoot held June 4 at the Chillicothe Sportsman’s Club. Nearly 75 youth from nine counties participated in the Illinois 4-H shooting sports contest, organized by 4-H...
Ogle County 4-H Achievment Day winners named
OREGON, Ill.- Ogle County 4-H’ers were recognized for excellence in 4-H project work at the recent county 4-H Achievement Celebration. Held November 13 at the Byron Jr High School Theatre, the program featured the presentation of numerous awards, including the “County Project Honor...
Holiday freezer meal fundraiser to benefit Ag in the Classroom program
For Immediate Release
OREGON, Ill. – Ag in the Classroom offers freezer meals for the holiday season. There is still time to order your meal sets by Dec. 1, so don’t let this opportunity pass you up. These would make great gifts for the hard to buy for loved ones on your holiday list or...
2022 4-H Achievement celebration winners
For Immediate Release
OREGON, Ill.- Ogle County’s top 4-H members and clubs were honored for outstanding achievement at a special program held Sunday, November 13, in the Byron Middle School Theatre.
...
Over 250 attend Ag Career Exploration Fair last week
For Immediate Release
OREGON, Ill. – The successful Ag Career Exploration Fair on Nov. 17 allowed high school students to network with colleges and employers in attendance. Colleges shared information on the many majors in agriculture and what it takes to...
Local study highlights connection between grassland birds and grazing land
ELIZABETH, Ill.-Wildlife studies have noted significant declines in midwestern grassland songbirds over the last few decades. The research found the decline correlated with reductions in grazing and hay fields in the region. Research has found that many midwestern grassland birds need grass of...
Holiday favorite gourd is good to go for 2022
Few of us stop to wonder how that slice of pumpkin pie made it onto our plate, but if it weren't for the Illinois pumpkin industry and plant pathologist and Extension specialist Mohammad Babadoost, the classic fall...
Study shows the power of 'thank you' for couples
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Gratitude has been a trendy sentiment in recent years – sparking an industry of journals, knickknacks, and T-shirts touting thankfulness as a positive force in individuals’ lives.
New research suggests that gratitude from one’s partner may be a powerful tool for couples...
Master Naturalists get out in the field to protect Illinois’ natural resources
URBANA, Ill. – On a chilly fall morning, amid a background of trees boasting autumnal colors and birds flying south overhead, Master Naturalists gathered for a day of hands-on learning about Illinois’ natural resources. By wading into cold creeks to survey for mussels, fish, and...
Protect trees from winter’s wrath with a few preventive steps
URBANA, Ill. – Winter is hard on trees. Wind, ice, and cold temperatures can harm trees through sunscald, branch-breaking ice loads, or winter burn on evergreens. Taking preventative measures in the fall can help minimize winter injury to trees in the landscape.
Boxwood, arborvitae, and...
Illinois 4-H staff honored with national service awards
MADISON, Wis. – Three University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development staff recently received national recognition from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP). Amy Henschen, Shelby Carlson, and Myla...
Illinois report says native fish overlooked as invaders in U.S. waters
URBANA, Ill. – Rivers split across mountaintops and other geographic barriers may flow only a few miles from one another, but to the aquatic creatures in those waters, the separation could represent millions of years of evolutionary time. So, when an angler or a curious child moves a fish from...
Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay
URBANA, Ill. – Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. Large predators occasionally pass through Illinois but are not here to stay.
The...
Fundraiser to benefit Ag in the Classroom will make holiday shopping easy
OREGON, Ill. – Do you have someone on your holiday list that is hard to buy for or has everything? Do you want an easy meal for yourself? University of Illinois Extension has the solution for you.
Individually proportioned meals prepared and frozen for convenience. Two sets of the...
Ag Career Exploration Fair is Nov. 17 giving opportunites for college and career
OREGON, Ill. – Agriculture is everywhere, technology is advancing, and research says there is a high demand for graduates with a degree. Are you still wondering if this field of study is right for you? Come to the fair and find answers to your questions. There will be several...
Bats protect young trees from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs
URBANA, Ill. – Bats help keep forests growing. Without bats to hold their populations in check, insects that munch on tree seedlings go wild, doing three to nine times more damage than when bats are on the scene. That’s according to a groundbreaking ...
Agriculture in the Classroom in Ogle and Carroll counties receives grant funding
OREGON, Ill. — The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program remains a trusted resource for Ogle and Carroll County children to learn about agriculture. This week the program received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants to local county coalitions....
Teens take on new challenges as statewide healthy living ambassadors
URBANA, Ill. – Nine Illinois teens stand ready to take on new challenges as they begin their work on the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador (HLA) team.
The HLA team is comprised of 4-H members ages 13-19 who were chosen for their ability to lead, mentor, and teach in order to inspire others...
Extension builds outreach efforts by growing communications leadership team
URBANA, Ill. – For more than 100 years, University of Illinois Extension has translated on-campus research into practical tools and information to help communities across the state solve problems.
To help broaden outreach efforts, Illinois Extension recently welcomed ...