Youth ready to train 6,000 peers in ag innovation
URBANA, Ill. – 4-H youth from six states convened at the 2022 National 4-H Council Ag Innovators Experience on the University of Illinois campus Feb. 4-6. Illinois 4-H staff and University of Illinois...

Plant new fruit, vegetable, and flower varieties with confidence with 2022 All-America Selection Winners
URBANA, Ill. – Another Illinois winter has gone with the promise of spring to soon arrive. Garden catalogs have been arriving for months allowing gardeners to look forward to spring 2022 - the fresh air, energic wildlife, and the gardening. While many have already bought seeds and started to sow...

Prevent avian flu in your small flock
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Youth demonstrate specialized equine knowledge in state contest
GALVA, Ill. – Youth from around the state demonstrated their specialized equine knowledge at the Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest on Feb. 19. In this contest, youth judge six classes of...

Understand the science behind being healthy
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Pelleted seeds improve planting ease, germination rates
URBANA, Ill. – Tiny seeds provide challenges for gardeners trying to evenly space lettuce, onion, carrot, and herb seeds. Pelleted seeds are coated with a biodegradable material and easier to hold and plant. The colorful coating also protects the seed, improving germination rates. Pre-...

Keep jumping worms from damaging lawns, gardens, natural areas
URBANA, Ill. – A new threat is invading Illinois. Jumping worms attack gardens, lawns, and natural areas with devastating results. Illinois Extension forestry research specialist Chris Evans says the worms are voracious eaters that decrease soil quality and reduce organic matter....

Natural world guides archaeologists in their investigation of ancient people
URBANA, Ill. – People have lived in Illinois for over 15,000 years and have used the natural resources the state has to offer in different ways through time. Archaeologists draw on many fields in natural resource sciences to understand the people of the past and how they lived....

Geothermal energy systems capture the power of the sun
URBANA, Ill. – Solar energy is not limited to solar panels. Geothermal energy represents another method of using solar energy to heat water and buildings and to generate electricity. As the sun heats the earth’s surface, geothermal systems harvest this energy in a clean, efficient, and...

Free online webinar introduces Latin naming system for plants
URBANA, Ill. – While common names are easy to remember and helpful in describing plants, they often lead to confusion.  University of Illinois Extension educator...

Performance Tested Bull Sale averages $4,372 on 46 lots
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – For 54 years, the Performance Tested Bull Sale has provided elite seedstock for cattle breeders. The 2022 sale held Feb. 24 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield averaged $4,372 on the 46 lots sold. The sale is a multi-breed sale and offers both older age...

Log on for forestry expertise woodland owners can use 
URBANA, Ill. – From managing woodlands so they can support native wildlife to dealing with tree damage and pests, University of Illinois Extension Forestry has the tools woodland owners need. The nine-part, weekly Forestry...

Take heed of tornado warnings
URBANA, Ill. – As prime tornado season approaches, know what a tornado warning means and what to do. The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning under two conditions, says Duane Friend, University...

Stay safe during electrical storms
URBANA, Ill. – Exceeded only by floods, lightning is the second largest killer associated with storms. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, over 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes...

High dew points increase severe weather chances
URBANA, Ill – Severe weather often occurs in March with dew point temperatures in the 50s or 60s. Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator, explains the impact of dew point on weather. Water vapor is the gas form of water. Air can only hold so...

Environmental educator to bring west-central Illinois nature to your backyard
URBANA, Ill. –Whether you’re battling invasive species on your property, starting to compost at home, or trying to reduce fertilizers on the farm, doing the right thing for the environment isn’t always clear. The University of...

Grounded in experience, Bowman leads Extension's ag technology education
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USDA measuring nutrient loss reduction strategy techniques
Special to Illinois Extension SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will measure the techniques Illinois farmers use to preserve nutrients in their fields in its 2022 Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Survey...

4-H youth help families put more food on the table
URBANA, Ill. – 4-H is invested in feeding hungry families, and youth are leading the way. The ...

Test private wells to ensure safe drinking water
URBANA, Ill. – A properly constructed and maintained water well can provide many years of trouble-free service, but over time, wells can deteriorate or become damaged, allowing surface contaminants to enter the water in the well. In addition, groundwater can become contaminated. ...