Grow your green thumb this spring with free online gardening classes
URBANA, Ill. – Brush off the trowel and get ready for spring with University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening series starting in March.
Four Seasons Gardening is one of Illinois Extension’s most popular gardening series that has...
New program addresses issues of health access, understanding for Illinois residents
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As families around the world lived through the rise and spread of COVID-19, countless Illinois communities faced a frightening reality: they were not equipped to mount the complex public health response the situation required. Many community leaders, medical centers, and...
Healthy forests start with single tree, hands-on landowners
URBANA, Ill. – The forests of Illinois are diverse, whether it’s a backyard with a few tall trees kids play under, an acre for firewood that is also home to deer and other wildlife, or a timber stand that will eventually be harvested and sold.
Just in time for spring, the Illinois...
Illinois youth come to the table on food insecurity
URBANA, Ill.— Local solutions to food access, food security, and food justice in Illinois will be developed by youth leaders and industry experts Illinois 4-H Food Action Summit. The virtual conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 15.
University of Illinois...
Illinois 4-H staff evaluate options for summer 2021 exhibitions
URBNA, Ill. – In 2020, more than 400 Illinois 4-H competitive events, exhibitions, and shows went virtual, providing a positive youth development experience while protecting our members, volunteers, and staff. While the 2021 4-H...
Coles County gets $106,000 grant for Embarras River project
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District will receive over $106,000 in grant funding to update portions of the 2011 Embarras River Watershed Management Plan. The grants, provided by the Illinois Environmental...
Extension offices fill connectivity gaps
URBANA, Ill. –The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated what was already known about digital connectivity: millions of American don’t have access to high-speed internet; many of those are in rural communities.
Children attending daily virtual learning, coupled with adults working from home and...
$10,000 prize awaits top ag innovator
URBANA, Ill – Innovation is the heart of Illinois agriculture. A $10,000 Glen Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism award will be given to one winner who exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit and advances innovation through their business practices.
Glen "GB" Brandt, along with...
Summer 4-H conference lets teens virtually explore potential careers
URBANA, Ill. – For many teens, deciding where they want to attend college and what they may want to study is challenging. Some may even be the first in their family to attend college.
Illinois 4-H makes college and career exploration...
Hemp research a win-win for new Midwestern crop
URBANA, Ill. – Industrial hemp is one of the fasting growing crops across Midwestern fields and researchers are recruiting producers in the race to learn more.
University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educators are...
Follow cottage food laws when selling at farmers markets
URBANA, Ill – Have you considered selling your homemade foods at a farmers market? Basic guidelines outline what growers and vendors must observe in preparation for farmers market sales.
Cottage food operations can be a simple way to generate income from home. The...
Stay safe on the farm this planting season
URBANA, Ill. – Spring is characterized by a fury of activity on farms. In the rush to get crops in the ground, farmers may not have safety and health as a priority.
Learn how to prevent common farm injuries and illness during this critical time at a free online webinar by...