Connecting Illinois through statewide broadband access; webinar outlines community solutions
URBANA, Ill. - There's still time to join the discussion of Illinois' broadband expansion efforts. Three sessions remain in the Developing Broadband Leadership webinar series designed...

Know your health insurance options if you lose your job
URBANA, Ill. - With businesses shutting down temporarily or scaling back staff, employees should consider the impact of layoffs on their health insurance coverage before their existing coverage ends to ensure there are no gaps in your coverage. "Health care coverage is critical...

Uncover secrets of the environment
...

Produce farms provided COVID-19 disinfecting guidelines
New FDA food safety guidelines require local farmers to review and adapt their current food safety practices. "There has never been a more important time to review food contact surfaces and high touch surface cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection procedures," says Zach Grant,...

Extend the Beauty and Productivity of Your Garden by Watching Four Seasons Gardening “Special Edition” Free Spring Series
The final installments of the spring series of the University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening Program, which focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production, will be offered the last few weeks of May. To meet the current demand for online...

U of I Extension offers Cooking for One or Two Webinar by Susan Glassman, Nutrition and Wellness Program Educator
Set the table and light a candle for yourself! Single-person households are on the rise and forecast to grow over the next 15 years! The fastest growth in single-person households are citizens between 35 and 55 years of age. Cooking for one or two can be creative and rewarding with or...

4-H Senior Spotlight: Ashleigh Collins of the North Stars in LaSalle County honored
The University of Illinois Extension Bureau, LaSalle and Marshall-Putnam 4-H honor the seniors of 2020.  This week we highlight Ashleigh Collins. Ashleigh Collins is a member of North Stars in...

4-H Senior Spotlight: Molly Boyd of the PC Progressors in Marshall-Putnam County honored
The University of Illinois Extension Bureau, LaSalle and Marshall-Putnam 4-H honor the seniors of 2020.  This first week we highlight Molly Boyd.  Molly Boyd is a member of the PC Progressors, M-P...

COVID-19 data dashboard helping make sense of the crisis
...

4-H offers STEM challenges that can be done from home
ST. CHARLES – Put those building bricks, recyclables and other items lying around the house to good use, get techy on your computer or tablet, or explore your backyard or neighborhood with DuPage, Kane and Kendall County 4-H’s free Stay-at-Home STEM Challenges. “These weekly challenges...

Are murder hornets here in Illinois; not likely
URBANA, Ill. - There has been a recent surge of interest in an invasive insect pest, the Asian Giant Hornet (AGH), or Vespa mandarinia. AGHs are the largest hornets in the world and are identifiable by their size and distinct bright yellow or orange heads. While well known for their large...

University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist’s Corner - May Wildflowers Blooming!
What woodland blooms might I see this May? Whether you find yourself taking a neighborhood stroll or hiking a trail recently opened in your area, you can play your own game of “I Spy Spring” while social distancing. Some of the following wildflower species will be in full bloom along the...

Resiliency resource for struggling Illinois economies
...

Master Gardener Q&A – Readying Your Garden Tools
It’s spring! The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are here to help you with your gardening questions! Lots of us will be home this spring, and what better way to be outside, stay healthy and enjoy the results of your work then to get outside and work on your garden. If you...

4-H Senior Spotlight: Kassidy Brady of the Dimmick Braves in LaSalle County honored
The University of Illinois Extension Bureau, LaSalle and Marshall-Putnam 4-H honor the seniors of 2020.  This week we highlight Kassidy Brady. Kassidy Brady is a member of the Dimmick Braves in...

Zoom safely with these tips from 4-H Tech Changemakers
With more and more people utilizing Zoom to stay connected, Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties’ 4-H Tech Changemakers have compiled a list of safety tips.  Each Tech Changemaker highlights a tip in this video, which is viewable at ...

Farmers struggle with processing plant closures; What COVID-19 means for your dinner table
URBANA, Ill. – Headlines about dairy farms dumping milk and livestock being euthanized are a sharp contrast to empty meat cases. The novel coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the nation’s food supply chain, resulting in increased prices for panicked shoppers and major losses for Illinois farmers...

Respect electricity’s potential wrath
May is Electrical Safety Month SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Along with National Strawberry Month and National Barbecue Month, May heralds in a more serious observance: Electrical Safety Month. Electricity can be extremely dangerous, yet people rarely spend time considering...

U of I Extension offers Diabetes Care, Managing Self-Care During Difficult Times Webinar by the Nutrition and Wellness Program
Managing stress during difficult times is challenging for everyone; however, if you or a loved one has diabetes, it is even more important to be intentional about managing stress. Making healthy food choices, getting adequate physical activity, and understanding how stress affects diabetes are...

Change the way you see salad: meals, sides and desserts
Celebrate National Salad Month with Tips from U of I Extension Whether it’s your main entrée, side dish or even dessert, salads can be an easy, nourishing staple in your household’s meal plan. “For many people, salads may not seem exciting or enticing,” says...