Share rural roads safely during spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. – After a cold, wet spring Illinois farmers are racing to get their crops in the field. As large farm equipment moves along country roads, both farmers and those driving a vehicle should adopt a "safety first" attitude.  The 2022 spring planting season is...

Dudley Smith Farm Field Day highlights regenerative ag practices
URBANA, Ill. – Transformative changes have helped agriculturalists feed a growing human population more efficiently and effectively than prior generations while advancing stewardship and sustainability of the land, water, and air needed for life. The world’s population is estimated to...

Mental health matters, learn how to respond when someone needs aid
ARTHUR, Ill. – Mental health and substance use issues are common. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. From 1999 to 2016, 630,000 people died from drug overdose according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....

Magnolia blooms, beetles are nature’s spring flower odd couple
URBANA, Ill. – Every spring, magnolia trees across the Midwestern landscape offer some of the most spectacular flowering displays of any woody plant. These beautiful ornamental trees, native to Asia, are some of the first landscape plants in our area to deliver such a showy display; truly one of...

Farmers battle clock, weeds in spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. – With a warm, dry stretch of weather, Illinois farmers are racing to get corn and soybean crops planted. University of Illinois Extension Weed Scientist Aaron Hager spoke with Media Communications Specialist...

Illinois teen leaders ready to tackle healthy living issues
Bethesda, MD. – Teen health leaders from across the country gathered at the National 4-H Summit for Healthy Living April 21-24 to focus on learning about and solving healthy living issues...

Competition takes youth into the great outdoors
  Urbana, Ill. – Youth from across Illinois headed into the great outdoors to participate in the statewide 4-H Hooks Us Together Virtual Fishing Crappie Challenge in April. While competition is the focus, participating youth take away much more from the experience. “...

Grow curly willows for an artistic twist in the landscape, winter flower arrangements
URBANA, Ill. – Willow trees are most well known for their long, draping branches that give them a refined and graceful appearance. That is unless it is a corkscrew willow. The unique branching and twisting features of the Salix genus curly willow not only adds visual interest...

Youth demonstrate equine knowledge in hippology contest
Urbana, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension 4-H’s educational programs enhance members’ knowledge...

Youth gain confidence, courage in horse speaking contest
Urbana, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension 4-H Horse Speaking contest helps youth gain self-confidence, courage and persuasiveness; share ideas with others; and develop the ability to speak in public to inform others about horse-related subjects and the 4-H Horse project. This year’s...

Youth test their equine knowledge and skills in state contest
Urbana, Ill. – In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educational programs enhance members’ knowledge...

Youth in public speaking contest learn skills that last a lifetime
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Youth from across the state recently came together to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State Public Speaking Contest held...

Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – You may not know what an invasive species is, but you've likely heard about them and the price tags they can carry. The estimated cost of managing the damages caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer or Asian carp is $120 billion annually in the U.S. ...

Wheat tour highlights yields, disease strategies
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Wheat variety and seed treatment trials will highlight the 2022 Southern Illinois Wheat Tour sponsored by the Illinois Wheat Association. The May 24 tour will give Illinois wheat growers an opportunity to tour wheat fields and estimate yields for the 2021/22...

Researchers call on backyard scientists to help save pollinators
URBANA, Ill. – Fluttering quietly and steadily from flower to bloom, butterflies, bees and other pollinators do the hard background work of fertilizing flowering plants, fruits and crops. But these unsung heroes are in danger. Studies have shown an estimated 40% of insect species, including the...

Bat box design, placement matter for energy balance in endangered bats
URBANA, Ill. – Imagine if you had to catch every bite of your dinner with your mouth, while flying, in the dark. You’d be exhausted, and probably pretty hungry. Though some bats go for sedentary insects, most catch their food on the wing every single night. Let that sink in. Because they...

Master Naturalists advocate for diversity in ecosystems and volunteer program
URBANA, Ill. – Diverse ecosystems are healthy ecosystems. Wildlife, plants, and fungi are naturally interconnected and rely on each other. The same is true of those who advocate for the environment – diversity makes them stronger.The University of Illinois Extension...

Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
URBANA, Ill. – Avian flu cases are on the rise in the Midwest. From canceled poultry shows to advising homeowners to remove bird feeders, Illinois is urging those who come into contact with birds to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a...

Scale up your garden’s health with fish emulsion fertilizer
URBANA, Ill. – Over the years, there has been a growing demand for organic-based fertilizers to use in the garden and landscaping. There are of course ways to manufacture these organic fertilizers, but what if we could use a byproduct of the manufacture of a different product? It is an efficient...

I-Rural: Helping communities meet increased demand for rural tourism
URBANA, Ill. – Tourism is a multibillion-dollar industry in Illinois. Now, rural Illinois communities are getting help to reimagine the potential for tourism growth and sustainability. Pandemic restrictions generated renewed interest in rural outdoor activities....