COVID-19 expense relief available for local governments
URBANA, Ill. - The Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Program, CURE, is federally funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund and reimburses local governments for costs specifically related to the COVID-19 public health emergency incurred since March 1, not previously budgeted...
Rural communities learn ways to recognize, manage stress
URBANA, Ill. - Volatile crop prices, global markets, and natural disasters create stress for rural residents, farmers, and ranchers. Even before the current health crisis, rural communities across the Midwest were dealing with additional economic stressors, such as the closing of coal-fired...
Tips for Preventing Apples from Turning Brown
Apples are a fruit available all year round but taste the best when freshly picked from a local orchard in the fall. Whether making apple butter, sauce, pie, salad, drying, freezing, canning, or cutting them up to snack on later, one universal struggle is slicing them fast enough before they...
Illinois’ big trees are on the map
URBANA, Ill. – From the depths of the Shawnee National Forest to backyards in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois’ biggest trees are branching out. For the first time, the state’s champion trees are now available as an interactive digital map.
“For more than 58 years, the Illinois Big Tree...
Get out of the sun with 5 ideas for backyard shade
URBANA, Ill. - Relaxing outdoors while surrounded by plants is a great stress reducer. As temperatures heat up, you can prolong your time outside by creating some shade in your yard.
"Shaded areas let you stay outside longer without getting exhausted from the sun,"...
Forestry website supports Illinois woodland owners
URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension forestry program launched its newly designed website making it easier for forest owners to access the tools they need to manage their woodlands.
“Our new website was developed to help educate, advise and assist the public with...
Perfect Your Pickles
Pickling is a form of preservation that takes patience but also an opportunity for creativity! Cucumbers, apples, watermelon rind, pears, carrots, cabbage, beets…the list for what can be pickled includes more fruits and vegetables. There are a few essential guidelines to stick to in order to...
Extension expands programming, continues virtual 4-H shows in August
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension will allow staff and volunteers to resume limited in-person gatherings in August, consistent with the public health and safety guidelines outlined in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois...
Governments look for ways to help small businesses
URBANA, Ill. - Community leaders across Illinois are working hard to adopt and overcome challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey conducted by University of Illinois Extension. Town, city, and county...
Growing irises: How to plant, grow and care for iris
URBANA, Ill. - There aren’t very many plants that come in a wider range of color than iris. In the past 50 years, thousands of cultivars in various colors, sizes, and forms have been developed.
"I have about 20 cultivars of bearded iris in my garden including a small white and lavender...
What’s Wrong with My Jam?
With the strawberry season reaching its end and those fresh berries only lasting two to three days in the refrigerator, making jam is one way to enjoy strawberries all year round. Jams, jellies, preserves, conserves, and marmalades all contain the same four ingredients, sugar, pectin, acid, and...
Discover summer plants of Illinois during Walk and Talk Webinar
URBANA, Ill. – The official start of summer has provided many beautiful days to get out and take a walk around the neighborhood. Perhaps you discovered a native plant on your property or purchased a flowering shrub to incorporate into your home landscape. Join...
Rural Resilience virtual course gives farmers tools to manage stress
URBANA, Ill. – Farm life is stressful. Rural communities face unique mental health risks, but it can be hard to talk about it.
“I’ve heard stories of farmers who would drive three hours to a mental health seminar; not because there wasn’t one closer,” says...
Project learning never stops in 4-H
The Illinois 4-H youth development program empowers and prepares youth for success by providing opportunities for youth to learn, practice, and demonstrate skills needed for home, career, and global citizenship. Youth, organized in clubs,...
6 tips for watering container gardens
URBANA, Ill. – Every garden needs water, but with a container garden’s limited soil volume, proper watering is crucial for plants to stay productive.
“Proper drainage is just as important as the amount of water added to the container,” says Andrew Holsinger,...
Tune in to Illinois Extension podcasts
URBANA, Ill. – On the go or at home, University of Illinois Extension podcasts entertain and inform listeners about topics that matter.
While in-person educational programs are currently canceled or postponed until after July 31 due to...
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Dry and Dry Again
One of the oldest ways to preserve food is drying or dehydrating. Most bacteria love water and need it to grow. Successful dehydrating removes enough water so yeast, mold, and harmful bacteria cannot grow. The best environment for drying fruits, vegetable, and herbs requires low heat, good air...
