News Releases

Growing Great Vegetables
Dig in with confidence with spring vegetable gardening workshops
URBANA, Ill. — Growing a vegetable garden takes work, but sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. Grow with confidence this spring with Growing Great Vegetables, a five-week webinar series from University of Illinois Extension that explores everything from seeds and soil to a...
Person talking in a microphone in the front of seated guests.
New Funding, New Brand: I-Regen
URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (IRAI) marks the successful completion of its first three years with a new name: I-Regen. The name change reflects an ongoing...
Group of people on a farm tour standing listening to a speaker
Getting agriculture carbon market questions answered
URBANA, Ill. — When looking to adopt new agricultural practices, it is helpful to hear about experiences from neighbors and locate resources to answer questions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois...
Three peoples looking at flats of flowers in a garden center.
Now accepting applications for Master Gardener training
DANVILLE, Ill – Calling all green thumbs! Do you love gardening and are passionate about sharing your knowledge with others? Do you live in Ford, Iroquois, or Vermilion County? If so, we encourage you to join the University of Illinois Master Gardeners! The Ford and Iroquois...
Illinois 4-H team poses with ribbons and medals.
Illinois 4-H teams make history in Louisville
Louisville, Ky. -- Illinois 4-H had a record-breaking day at the North American International Livestock Exposition. For the first time ever, Illinois 4-H won the National 4-H Quiz Bowl. For the second year in a row, Illinois 4-H won the National 4-H...
Youth work with a computer and STEM equipment.
4-H members ignite their future leadership path
Decatur, Ill.-- Over 100 seventh and eighth grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2023 space-themed 4-H Junior Leadership Conference held Nov. 4-5 at the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center in Decatur. “This event helps youth from all over Illinois gain a new...
An orange cat walks near potted house plants at ground level
Protect your pets: Keep paws off overwintering indoor plants
URBANA, Ill. — As winter settles in, many plants and houseplants that were growing outdoors have returned inside. Before bringing in your plants, consider animal companions, such as dogs and cats, because some plants can make them sick if ingested. Knowing what plants you have and how they...
Senior winners pose with banners.
Youth livestock skillathon showcases future leaders of ag
Urbana, Ill. — Seventy 4-H youth participated in the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon held in the Stock Pavilion on University of Illinois campus on Nov. 4. Participants went through the contest and then participated in a learning workshop to better prepare for next year’s contests in the summer...
Up close on brown tree bark with text overlay reading Community Tree Care.
Sharpening knowledge of tree care leads to healthier, better-looking trees
URBANA, Ill. — Trees are a beautiful and vital part of our communities, providing many long-term benefits to the public. Routine maintenance and proper care techniques contribute to a longer, healthier life. “Trees improve the local environment, economy, and overall quality of life,”...
Person bent down on one knee checking soil in a no-till farm field.
Agriculture field day set to explore, address carbon market questions
URBANA, Ill. — The carbon market is an emerging entity and buzzword in the agriculture industry. Every day, different programs are being presented to farmers, landowners, and researchers, creating a lot of questions around carbon and farm operations. “It is a vital time to bring...
A gloved hand holds open a bat wing up to the light
ACES expert: Bats take spotlight during Bat Week
URBANA, Ill. — Bats come out of the shadows during Bat Week, Oct. 24-31, an international awareness campaign that aims to educate the public about bat conservation in the week leading up to Halloween. University of...
A white tailed deer crosses a road in fall
Stay alert for deer behind the wheel in fall
URBANA, Ill. — Deer are more active in the fall and drivers should be cautious when traveling after dark. While accidents can happen at any time of year, most deer-vehicle incidents occur between dusk and dawn during the months of October, November, and December. Drivers should slow down...
Hall of Fame, 2023 4-H Clover, Inductees
4-H honors extraordinary volunteers
SPRINGFIELD, 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. Brad and Paula Zwilling in Champaign County, Angela Jones in Iroquois County, May Ellen McClure in...
A woman with her back to the camera faces a dumpster full of pumpkins as she smashes them with a bat
Have a smashing good time composting Halloween pumpkins
CHICAGO, Ill. — Jack-o’-lanterns live a short, scary life. That is unless they are catapulted, hurled, or whacked into a compost pile after spooky season is over. Green your Halloween by recycling pumpkins after the holiday at one of more than a dozen University of Illinois...
Far view of the scene of a farm fire.
Stay alert, be prepared for increased risk of farm fires during harvest
URBANA, Ill. — Severe drought and current environmental conditions have the Midwest on alert as fire risks are higher than usual during equipment rollout for corn and soybean harvest. From lack of precipitation to low soil moisture and dry vegetation, these conditions, when paired with hot,...