Extension is here to help

Learn practical strategies to minimize contamination, improve produce safety
URBANA, Ill. — Contamination in wash and pack areas remains one of the leading causes of foodborne illness outbreaks in fresh produce. Without proper handling and sanitation practices, even the most carefully grown crops can pose a serious health risk to consumers and a financial risk to...

Include Farm Animals in Disaster Preparedness Plan
URBANA — When tornado sirens become frequent and sudden storms appear out of thin air, it becomes apparent there is a need for a disaster preparedness plan for farmers and large animal owners alike. What happens when disaster strikes and a herd of cattle are grazing pasture?Dr. Yvette...

Learn how to manage invasive species online and in the field with statewide hybrid course
URBANA, Ill. — From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in Introduction to Invasive Species Management, a two-day hybrid program led by University of Illinois Extension educators...

Jam Session Kicks Off Canning Workshop Series in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Local residents got a sweet start to summer food preservation with a hands-on jam-making workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension on June 25. The workshop, led by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen, was the first in a three-part...

How 4-H shaped a lifetime of service for Bea Bagby
URBANA, Ill. — For Beatrice H. Bagby, known to most as Bea, 4-H wasn’t just a club. It was a lifeline. A spark. A community. And ultimately, a calling.Bea found Illinois 4-H in the wake of unimaginable grief. In May 1946, her mother...