Five fall tips for cool-season lawn care
URBANA, Ill. — As the sun sets on another summer season, lawn care does not stop. When it comes to routine turf maintenance, the late summer to early fall months are critical for cool-season lawns.Cool season lawns are a group of turf species comprised mainly of Kentucky bluegrass, tall...
Grow forest management skills in Southern Illinois course for landowners
SIMPSON, Ill. — To understand tree and forest care often requires getting to the root of the matter. The Beginning Forest Landowner Program is returning in 2024-25 to help more Illinois forest owners learn how to...
Investment in communications furthers the Illinois Extension mission
URBANA, Ill. — Effective communication is a cornerstone of University of Illinois Extension’s ability to transfer the latest research and best practices to the residents of the state. In this critical pursuit of improving lives and livelihoods throughout Illinois, Extension relies on myriad...
Volunteers grow together during annual Illinois Master Gardener Conference
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — From rural farms and small towns to bustling suburbs, over 2,300 dedicated volunteers across Illinois are committed to gardening education and community outreach. While they typically help others learn to grow, Master Gardener volunteers will grow together during the 2024...
2024 4-H Superior Young Livestock Producer Skillathon winners announced
Springfield, IL – The 2024 4-H Illinois Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest was held on Aug. 7 in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair. Forty-three 4-H members from across Illinois competed in this year’s contest. This is a three-phase competition challenging the young 4-H member...
Illinois Farm Business Farm Management celebrates 100 years and announces new CEO
URBANA, Ill. — A program operating within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that assists farmers with financial management and decision-making welcomes a new CEO this August, while also celebrating a monumental milestone in their history....
Green infrastructure flood prevention training is a natural solution for natural disasters
URBANA, Ill. — When floods happen, communities are forever changed. University of Illinois Extension is rising to meet the challenge by developing a program that trains municipalities how to maintain nature-based solutions that supplement their stormwater infrastructure. Floods are...
Farmers share how to keep your soil on your fields
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — When it comes to farming, there is no substitute for experience. This August, producers and landowners can connect with local Illinois farmers and learn from others’ hands-on knowledge on preventing soil loss in their fields at the Cultivating Conversations: Preventing Soil...
Take steps to address climate change at home with Everyday Environment
URBANA, Ill. — It’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about the impacts of climate change. While there are many strategies to reduce risk and adapt at global and regional scales, individuals can also take action. Learn how you can address climate change in your home, landscape, and community in a...
Protect trees and their roots during construction projects
URBANA, Ill. — While essential for development, construction projects often damage trees and their intricate root systems. Even the beautiful trees that are sitting on a site and desired to be kept following construction can become damaged and later experience decline....
Get outside, get learning at fall 2024 Illinois Master Naturalist conference
URBANA, Ill. — The very nature of nature is that it is always changing. Seasons come and go, birds flit in and out of view, and water ebbs and flows constantly moving downstream. Master Naturalist volunteers are invited to stay up to date on nature’s news by attending the...
Pumpkin disease not evolving, could make a difference for management
URBANA, Ill. — The pathogen that causes bacterial spot is very good at what it does. Forming small lesions on the rinds of pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits, it mars the fruits’ appearance and ushers in secondary pathogens that lead to rot and severe yield loss. The bacterium,...
Explore cutting-edge agricultural technology with I-FARM Learning Series
URBANA, Ill. — Identifying on-farm needs to increase efficiency, safety, practicality, and overall profitability is where ideas for adapting technology begin. From there, advancing technology for productivity and sustainability seems to be more within reach in a changing agricultural landscape....
Explore commercial pumpkin production at Extension field day
URBANA, Ill. — As Illinois ranks number one in both pumpkin production and processing, it provides a great opportunity to bring together growers, producers, and those who love talking pumpkins.University of Illinois Extension can help kick off...
Field day provides diverse avenues to resiliency, sustainability in agriculture
URBANA, Ill. — As the agriculture industry has grown and evolved over the centuries, numerous environmental and societal factors have constantly challenged its resilience. Today is no different. To achieve sustainable agricultural operations, farmers must continue to adopt new technologies and...
Bring birds close to home by gardening for feathered friends
URBANA, Ill. — People plant gardens for food, flowers, and function, but planting for the birds can be beautiful and beneficial to the environment. What if instead of storebought bird seed in a feeder, gardens could include a buffet of different foods for birds while also being a beautiful...
Annie's Project empowers women in agricultural industry
DECATUR, Ill. — Women producers have been taking on more management roles within agricultural operations. To support this rapidly growing population of farmers, the University of Illinois Extension serving DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties and Farm Credit Illinois are partnering to offer a six-...
New online agriculture course grows skills in identifying corn, soybean field insects
URBANA, Ill. — One thing is for sure, if there is a farm field, insects will visit it. Having the skills to identify insects inhabiting crop fields across the Midwest improves one’s ability to identify and effectively manage insect pests while avoiding unnecessary interventions that may...
