Map reveals widespread lead pollution in Chicago backyards, parkways
URBANA, Ill. – In backyards and community gardens across Chicago, growers tend fruit and vegetable crops as diverse as the city they live in. Most have one thing in common – lead lurking in the soil. Legacy lead, leftover from paint, gasoline, and other sources, lingers in the...

Secure your farm's security by knowing your legal rights
URBANA, Ill. – Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business. Understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances. University of Illinois Extension partners with Farm Commons for a four-part series on legal issues for farms....

Turn your food scraps into a valuable resource to support the environment
CHICAGO- “By diverting organic waste materials from landfills and recycling it into compost we protect our environment by reducing the amount of methane gas released in to the air,” says Kathryn Pereira, Local Food Systems and...

Extension’s Wellness Wednesdays: Begin with You series encourages self‐care to promote mental and physical wellbeing
For Immediate Release COOK COUNTY, Ill. – The words “If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness” hold true not only for physical health but also for mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in self-care strategies might not feel...

Illinois Extension celebrates outstanding programs, staff
URBANA, Ill. – Across the state, local University of Illinois Extension staff members help families, businesses, and communities identify local issues and potential solutions to those issues. Extension professionals use research-based knowledge and translate that knowledge into actions and...

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by composting pumpkins after Halloween
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Illinois Extension’s Wellness Wednesdays: Begin with You series offers strategies to promote mental and physical wellbeing
For Immediate Release COOK COUNTY, Ill. – Lives seem to get busier every day and the daily demands can take a toll on people’s health. Although an individual may recognize the need to take care of physical and mental health, often they neglect their own health to care for others first....

Composting can help mitigate climate change and enhance the quality of our environment
CHICAGO, Ill. - “As the second most populous county in the nation, we believe Cook County can take the lead in reducing methane gas emissions from landfills by diverting organic waste through composting, thus helping to mitigate climate change and enhance the quality of our environment,” says...

Extension’s strategic realignment means more help for Illinois families
URBANA, Ill. – Throughout history, families have grappled with how to manage chronic health conditions, eat well, balance a family budget, and create a stable beginning for their youngest family members. But modern families are faced with a new set of challenges layered on top of the long-...

Exchange your food scraps for compost: an easy way to help our environment
HOMEWOOD, IL- “I think people will be surprised to see how easy and rewarding composting can be!” says Edie Dobrez, Executive Director of the Homewood Science Center. Composting ones’ food scraps keeps them out of the regular garbage...

Bring your food scraps to help our environment and learn about composting
PARK FOREST, IL- “With 40% of food being wasted each year, we want provide our residents opportunities to reduce food waste and divert it from landfills,” explains Carrie Malfeo, Sustainability Coordinator for the Village of...

Turn your food scraps and yard waste into a valuable resource
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Keep houseplants happy with simple solutions
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Wellness Wednesdays webinar series offers strategies to promote mental and physical wellbeing
COOK COUNTY, Ill. – The need to take care of one’s physical and mental health is being increasingly recognized in light of the current pandemic. Acknowledging the growing demand to provide communities with tools and strategies to address mental and physical wellbeing, the...

Improve profitability, sustainability of local food, small farm specialty operation
Improve profitability, sustainability of local food, small farm specialty operations URBANA, Ill. – There is no off season on the farm and winter is a chance for small producers to gain new knowledge. The University of Illinois Extension 2021 Small Farms Winter Webinar...

Grow great vegetables with beginner gardening webinar series
URBANA, Ill. – The spring of 2020 saw a surge of gardeners taking up the trowel for the first time to try their hand at growing vegetables. This year come prepared with Growing Great Vegetables, a seven-week webinar series covering the basics of starting a vegetable garden start to finish led by...

Green your Halloween by composting pumpkins
CHICAGO – This Halloween, don’t trash your pumpkins, smash them with University of Illinois Extension and Plant Chicago. Illinois is one of the...

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 plan. While...

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, study...

Extension to continue online events, 4-H shows in July
URBANA, Ill. – As the state of Illinois moves into Phase 3 of the coronavirus Restore Illinois plan, University of Illinois Extension continues to provide research-based educational programs for families, farmers, and businesses in formats that support public health and safety priorities. ...