News Releases

PBL students (left to right), Grace Luenig, Keegyn Martinek and Madisyn Dodge present their dish to the panel of judges at the Regional 4-H Food Challenge competition.
Local high schools face off in Regional 4-H Food Challenge
Urbana, Ill – Teams from eight local high schools gathered in Bevier Hall on the University of Illinois Campus for the Regional 4-H Food Challenge competition on March 31. The 4-H Food Challenge is a competition that promotes teamwork, gives youth experience in public speaking, and promotes...
State agencies seeking community feedback on federal broadband fund usage
The Illinois Office of Broadband/Illinois Broadband Lab and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) wants to hear from the community. They are hosting community stakeholder events in DCEO's East Central region to help inform the state’s plan for leveraging federal...
horseshoe with a clover
Youth hone decision-making skills in state equine contest
GALVA, Ill. – Youth from around the state demonstrated their specialized equine knowledge at the Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest on Feb. 18 at the Black Hawk College East Campus. In this contest, youth judge...
White-tailed deer standing amongst trees in a grassy area.
Researchers seek information on close encounters of the deer kind
Researchers at the University of Illinois are asking adults in Illinois to complete an online survey about their experiences with wild white-tailed deer. The survey is part of a larger effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and...
A table outside with glass vases on it with blooming forced branches
Start spring early by forcing branches to bloom indoors
The weather during late winter can feel like being on a roller coaster. One day, it feels like spring, and the next, we are reminded that it’s still winter. To help tide you over, you can try forcing some spring-flowering trees and shrubs to bloom early and bring some bright spring colors...
Black and white cattle eating out of a trough in an open air facility
Early adopters find unique approaches to alternative cow housing systems
URBANA, Ill. – Rising property prices, bad weather, and shrinking pasture acreage challenge Illinois ranchers and limit herd sizes. But what happens when cow and calf producers move cattle into open-air buildings for long periods? That is what University of Illinois staff and Extension...
5 Extension staff members winning award
Food brings greater understanding to international cultures
URBANA, Ill – A team of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educators flipped the traditional learning experience with an innovative outreach program that earned the University of Illinois Extension Excellence in Innovation Award. “Culture, Cuisine, Conversation” is a hands-on self-...
cup cakes
Tips for entering the cottage food business
URBANA, Ill. — Last year, the Home-to-Market Act, a set of legislative updates to the Cottage Food Law, came into effect in Illinois. Before this legislation passed, food operators could only sell homemade foods...
Munro receiving plaque award
Munro Recognized at National 4-H Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator, Myla Munro, was recognized for her outstanding service in the 4-H Youth Development profession by being named an Achievement in Service Award (ASA) winner at the recent National Association of Extension 4-H Youth...
Garden containers in a greenhouse
Master Gardeners get creative to extend programs to veterans
The Vermilion County Master Gardeners have offered programs at the Danville VA for more than 20 years, but for the last two years, COVID has had a significant impact on in-person programs with veterans. During COVID, Master Gardener Debbie Edwards worked with fellow Master Gardeners and...
A group of people sitting under a pavilion listening to a speaker.
Improving brain health leads family life programming efforts
Brain health is the most requested family life Extension program. People don’t often worry about cognition and memory until they age. That is often when people start to worry whether their experiences are typical or of concern. Brain health programs discuss what could be considered...
gardening tools
Give your green thumb a hand, join vegetable gardening workshop
URBANA, Ill. – Dig in with confidence this spring with Growing Great Vegetables, a five-week webinar series that will cover how to grow a vegetable garden from seed to harvest. Whether growers have several acres or a patio with a few containers, now is the time to start planning for a successful...
burning firewood
Burning local firewood this winter can save forests
URBANA, Ill. – Nothing beats the warmth of a crackling fireplace on these coldest days of the year. Each winter, as my family enjoys the cozy warmth of our woodstove room, I’m always thankful for the firewood supply we’ve been fortunate enough to accumulate. Most of the wood we burn...