Master the art of water bath and pressure canning
Home food preservation continues to be extremely popular, whether due to increased food costs, the desire to know what is going into your food, or because it benefits the environment by reducing one’s carbon footprint. There are many ways to preserve food at home, including freezing, drying,...
Illinois study: Systematic review of agricultural injuries can help inform safety measures
URBANA, Ill. — Agricultural occupations are hazardous with one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and fatalities in the U.S. The manual and often strenuous nature of the work, combined with the use of machinery and exposure to environmental hazards create a challenging work...
Cicadas 2024 - a once in a lifetime experience
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Join Illinois Extension and Nicholas Conservatory on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Nicholas Conservatory for a lively program: Cicadas 2024 — A Once in a Lifetime Experience. Learn more about the upcoming May and June appearances of Broods XIII and XIX,...
Local Extension office to host upcoming events
OREGON, Ill. - The local University of Illinois Extension office in Ogle County released upcoming free April events. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these programs, call 815-632-3611 by April 1.
Don't Go It Alone: Improving Your Social...
4-H Carnival winners announced
OREGON, Ill. - The Ogle County 4-H Federation hosted its annual 4-H Penny Carnival at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon on March 2. Penny Carnival is much like a fun fair but features games dreamed up and designed by the 4-H clubs in the county. All twelve of the county's clubs...
Consumers across political spectrum share food pricing frustrations
URBANA, Ill. — In his State of the Union address last week, President Biden touched on a topic close to the hearts of U.S. consumers: food prices. In this election year, we can expect high food costs to come up repeatedly, with candidates from both parties invoking price gouging, shrinkflation,...
Spring into composting by reviving a compost pile after winter
URBANA, Ill. — If you haven’t touched your compost bin or pile all winter, don’t worry, you are not alone. It could be filled with kitchen scraps to the top or left untouched since the fall. Getting a compost pile going again after the long, cold winter can be intimidating, but it is...
New Extension environmental educator takes root in central Illinois
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When it comes to coexisting with nature, the solutions aren’t always straightforward. What do you do if your native plant landscaping attracts a family of groundhogs? How do you work with your neighbors to remove encroaching invasive species? Where can you go in town to find...
4-H Day of Dabbling was a hit
OREGON, Ill. - Over 40 youth participated in the 2024 4-H Day of Dabbling held in Oregon on February 24. This event allowed youth to explore numerous areas of 4-H project work hands-on.
Twelve workshops were offered, and participants could choose three that interest them. Project areas...
NatureFest 2024
GENOA, Ill. - Join us again for a day in the woods. University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, and the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District are having their third annual, free, outdoor NatureFest, on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at Russell Woods...
4-H bowling champions named
OREGON, Ill. - The 2024 Ogle County 4-H Bowling Tournament championship round was held on February 25th at T-Byrd Lanes in Rochelle. Seven qualifying teams bowled to determine the first-place winners in the junior division (ages 6-13) and senior division (ages 14 and up).
The clubs...
Spring back into nature with sustainability tips from Everyday Environment series
URBANA, Ill. — Every spring, nature reminds us of the beauty of the wild spaces that surround us. Wildflowers bloom in the forest understory. Mushrooms pop up overnight in your front yard. The sun sets slowly over a lake. Explore tips to manage the threat of invasive plants, explore the...
Empower caregivers with research-based strategies to improve elder care
URBANA, Ill. — The number of older adults in the U.S. continues to rise, and the need for more caregivers comes with that. This demographic shift underscores the importance of initiatives to support caregivers and provide them with the necessary resources and assistance.
...
Food Preservation Classes Offered
Join University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Diane Reinhold for these food preservation classes being offered virtually via Zoom. There is no fee to register for these classes, but pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to attend. If you would like to...
Explore the 2024 All-America Selection flower and vegetable variety winners
URBANA, Ill. — While the rain, thunderstorms, and snow replenish the soil moisture, winter can still bring the blues. To welcome the spring season, check mailboxes for the new garden catalogs and start spring garden planning. When planning, remember to leave room for the spontaneous buys when...
Gov. Pritzker announces $28.8 million in USDA grants to provide free local food to communities
PEORIA, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker announced $28.8 million in grant funding to provide free locally-produced food to vulnerable communities. The grants are being awarded to organizations in Illinois in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Human...
Researcher calls on Illinois landowners to participate in historic soil analysis
Illinois landowners could be eligible for $5,000 in free soil analyses and consultation with a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team in exchange for participating in a historic project seeking to learn how soils have changed over 120...
Making Homemade Meals in the Microwave
More and more people are dining out less because it is a healthier option and allows you to stretch your food dollars. If you are spending more time in the kitchen and are looking for quick and easy ways to prepare meals but do not have much time to cook, consider microwave cooking. Microwave...
Eggs: From Farm to Fork | Healthy Cooking at Home
Curious about what it takes for an egg to make it from the farm to your kitchen table?
Have you ever wondered about the difference between free-range and free-roaming eggs? If so, then we have the class for you!
Years ago, shopping for eggs was much more straightforward. The...
