Master Gardeners Bring Tomato Workshop to LaSalle County Jail
OTTAWA, Ill. - This summer, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program brought its ‘Tomato Troubles’ workshop to the LaSalle County Jail. With a new garden in its first year, the project has given inmates in the drug treatment program a...
Master Naturalists welcome 18 new environmental steward volunteers
OGLESBY, Ill. – The Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam County Master Naturalists welcomed 18 new volunteers to their ranks on August 1.Helen Mlynarski, Ellen Evancheck, Pete Johnston, Coleen Piggott, Jillian Pender, Hannah Safiran, Cheryl Heitz, Patricia Meagher, Faye Barakat,...
Generations gather in Monticello to celebrate 75 Years of 4-H Memorial Camp
MONTICELLO, Ill. — On Saturday, July 19, alumni, families, supporters, and current and former staff gathered on the grounds of 4-H Memorial Camp, which is located within Allerton Park but independently owned and operated by Illinois 4-H, to commemorate the camp’s 75th anniversary. Since opening...
Master Naturalist joins archaeologists in search for ancient Native American presence in Wedron
OGLESBY, Ill. – Local Master Naturalist volunteer Chris Woeltje recently had the unique opportunity to spend a day in the field with archaeologists from Wisconsin, assisting in the survey of two potential Native American sites at Belrose Farm in Wedron, Illinois. The survey aimed to...
4-H Members Take Aim During Summer Sizzle Shoot
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. – Illinois 4-H members from seven counties gathered to showcase their focus and skill at the annual Summer Sizzle Shoot, held June 7 at the Chillicothe Sportsman’s Club. Eighty-five youth competed in the multi-discipline Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Contest, organized...
Seeds to Harvest Garden Program with Chinn Foundation
MENDOTA, Ill.- Five fifth-grade classes at Northbrook School in Mendota recently participated in Seeds to Harvest, a youth gardening program led by the University of Illinois Extension 4-H and Master Gardeners program. This six-week program introduced students to gardening and plant...
University of Illinois Extension to offer Master Naturalist Volunteer Training this Summer
Do you love spending time outdoors? Do you enjoy sharing your passion for the natural world with those around you? Would you like to help others connect with nature? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should consider becoming a University of Illinois...
Extension Sustainability on the Farm program series cultivates knowledge and inspires action
OGLESBY, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension, serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties, recently concluded its “Sustainability on the Farm” program series, equipping local farmers and landowners with valuable knowledge and practical tools to enhance their agricultural...
Bureau, LaSalle, and Marshall-Putnam 4-H Public Speaking Contest Results
On March 8, 2025, youth from Bureau, LaSalle, and Marshall-Putnam Counties displayed their public speaking skills during the 4-H Public Speaking Contest at Illinois Valley Community College. This contest was a multi-county event where participants brought energy to the stage. All speakers were...
Mastering equine judging: Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest results announced
GALVA, Ill. – Youth from across Illinois demonstrated their equine knowledge at the Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest on Feb. 2 in Galva, Illinois. Participants evaluated six classes of horses, including at least two halter classes, with youth 14 years and older also competing in the...
Illinois Extension Agronomy Summit discusses best management practices for corn and soy
OGLESBY, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension hosted the inaugural Oglesby Agronomy Summit on January 23, 2025 at Illinois Valley Community College. Expanding from one event in northern Illinois last year to six this year, the Agronomy Summits are intended to provide farmers and...
Online weight loss program is effective way to reach rural populations, study shows
URBANA, Ill. — People living in rural areas are at greater risk for obesity than the general population, and they often have limited access to healthy, affordable food, physical activity facilities, public transportation, and healthcare institutions. Weight loss interventions are more successful...
What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health.HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for...
Connect with health information experts in the Springtime Science series
URBANA, Ill. — While technology has revolutionized access to health information, the proliferation of inaccurate and potentially dangerous content online presents a significant public health challenge. It is essential to develop collaborative models that bring together researchers, educators,...
