Bugs can be a solution for high-tunnel farmers
SIMPSON, Ill. – More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to benefit from the extended growing season, increased crop diversity, higher yields, and improved quality. But high tunnels come with their own unique challenges including insect pests that can cause major...
Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame volunteers honored for selfless dedication
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their...
Common farm conservation myths busted by Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) will be holding a free three-part webinar series debunking popular myths that keep some farmers from adopting soil health and conservation drainage practices....
Slow stormwater, prevent floods with rain friendly landscaping
URBANA, Ill. – Life does not exist without water. Gardens don’t grow without water. But what happens when there is too much of a good thing? Or when that good thing is mismanaged and becomes a misfortune. Or when there are prolonged periods of drought?“The tale of stormwater is more...
Intergenerational workshop offers chance to bake, share and dream together
Family heirlooms aren't always jewelry or furniture. For some, a family recipe is their most precious inheritance. The smell of fresh-baked bread might conjure memories of cooking with a grandparent or sitting around a table with extended family.
Illinois Extension wants to ensure your...
IDOA continues emergency rule to protect poultry from highly pathogenic avian influenza
SPRINGFIELD, Ill - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois to prevent the...
Study: Proposed nitrogen fertilizer policies could protect farmer profits, environment
URBANA, Ill. – Nitrogen fertilizer has major implications for crop yields and environmental health, specifically water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal and state governments have shied away from regulating nitrogen fertilizer use, but voluntary and incentives-based programs have not been...
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...
Wheat growers, home brewers can connect at Field Festival
URBANA, Ill. – Riggs Beer Company and the Small Grains Improvement Program at the University of Illinois are teaming up from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 21 for their first Field Festival....
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...
Master Gardener program offers online training
For 46 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.
More than 2,600 volunteers statewide put their mission...
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.
“...
Every bloom matters when it comes to helping pollinators
By Jan Phipps, Master Gardener
There has been a lot of emphasis in the last decade on helping insect pollinators in any way we can. Farmers have taken land out of production and devoted it to pollinator plots, and gardeners have increasingly been planting swaths of their yards dedicated...
Mental health in the mainstream; teens can help themselves and others
The topic of mental health has become widespread, but what does it really mean? What role should teens play in normalizing the conversation or helping others?
Teenagers especially need to know they can take charge of their well-being. Illinois Extension wants to help them maneuver...
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...
