News Releases

Start selecting 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Sale bulls
URBANA, Ill. — Seedstock breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The IPT Bull Sale is the leadoff event for the annual Illinois Beef Expo in...

Online and on the ground, new program empowers Illinois communities to tackle invasive species
URBANA, Ill. — When is the best time to remove invasive amur bush honeysuckle? Is it better to mow an invasion of teasel or treat it with an herbicide? What is the best way to get rid of tree of heaven?...

Youth sharpen their skills at 2025 Illinois 4-H shooting sports state competitions
Jacksonville, IL — The 2025 Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports State Competitions wrapped up this September, bringing together top youth marksmen from across the state in a series of events that showcased precision, skill, and sportsmanship. Held annually in late August and throughout September, the...

Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...

Hunters Feeding Illinois returns
URBANA, Ill. — Hunters Feeding Illinois returns for its fourth season, in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, ...

Bayer gift launches Morrow Plots revitalization for 150th anniversary
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced a gift from Bayer’s Crop Science...

Explore impact of local trees at Illinois Extension fall tree planting workshops
URBANA, Ill. — Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to have improved air quality, reduced stress, and added personal comfort for surrounding residents, nature, and wildlife. “As we all have recently felt, Midwest summers are hot, and trees are a crucial part of our...

Asian longhorned ticks on the move, new detection found in Clay County
URBANA, Ill. — The invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was recently detected in a new county in Illinois, representing the third county in which it has been found following its ...

2025 Master Gardener Conference celebrates 50 years of growth, connection  
URBANA, Ill. — Some moments of legacy are written down, others branch off the page beneath the canopy of a shady tree, in the scent of fresh herbs rubbed between fingertips, through butterfly-sculpted glass...

Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...

Clues about vanishing whip-poor-wills uncovered at birds’ wintering grounds
URBANA, Ill. — Often heard and rarely seen, the Eastern Whip-poor-will and its namesake nighttime call is an iconic Midwestern woodland bird. But like many other insect-eating birds, its numbers are declining....

Sustaining a healthy world starts in your backyard
From your backyard to the global ecosystem, everything in nature is connected. A core University of Illinois Extension program area —...

Celebrate food safety month by exploring Extension resources
URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing...

Christian and Montgomery County Extension Welcomes New 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator
Taylorville, Ill. – Cheralee Vohlken is the newest member of the local Illinois Extension and 4-H team, serving Christian and Montgomery Counties. As a 4-H youth development program coordinator, Cheralee will provide evidence-based, hands-on learning programs to youth to help...

Superior Young Dairy Producer Award marks 30 Years of scholarships
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The 2025 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program was held Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Fair. Twelve 4-H dairy project members from across Illinois competed in the event, which promotes youth development, career preparation, and personal growth through increased...

Webinar series equips caregivers to manage diabetes in adults with disabilities
URBANA, Ill. — Adults with disabilities face significantly higher rates of diabetes, with prevalence climbing from 5.8% among those without disabilities to 18.3% among those with moderate to severe disabilities, according to the...

Borgic Farms receives 2025 Community Partner Award from University of Illinois Extension of Montgomery County
RAYMOND, Ill. – Borgic Farms has been named the 2025 Community Partner Award winner by University of Illinois Extension in Montgomery County. Staff from Borgic Farms made a big impact by bringing piglets from their sow farm into classrooms...

University of Illinois Extension announces NC State agricultural leader as its new director
URBANA, Ill. — Matthew Vann has been named the new associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, the flagship public engagement organization housed in...

2025 State 4-H Fishing Tournament Reels in Record Participation
URBANA, Ill. — The fifth annual Illinois 4-H Hooks-Us-Together statewide fishing tournament concluded with a record-setting year, drawing 321 entries from 4-H youth across Illinois. The virtual event, held during May, June, and July, challenged participants to submit...

4-H Master Showmanship stars shine at 2025 Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Ill. —The 25th Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest took place on Friday, Aug. 8, , drawing talented 4-H members ages 14 to 18 who had already earned their spots by winning county-level competitions. Hosted in partnership with the Illinois Farm Bureau, the...