Explore financial incentives for environmentally-friendly farm practices
DEKALB, Ill. – The adoption of practices like no-till, cover crops, pasture management, and agroforestry can sequester carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gases. Farmers utilizing these practices have multiple, new, opportunities to be financially rewarded for carbon and other...
Engage youth in emergency preparedness
GALESBURG, Ill, – Ready in the Middle is an emergency preparedness initiative focused on pre-teens, teens, and their families. Developed for youth ages 10 -19, RITM gives youth participants and their families an opportunity to identify risks and hazards in and around their home by taking part in...
Virtual environment doesn’t stop fun, camaraderie, teamwork of 4-H shooting sports contest
URBANA, Ill. – There’s no stopping 4-H ingenuity and drive. Even COVID-19 couldn’t stop the dedicated 4-H members from completing their 4-H shooting sports project this fall. What was normally held as four large state meets transitioned to small group in-person outings, virtually recorded by one...
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...
Explore Jamaica virtually during 4-H International Day 2021
DECATUR, Ill. – How much do you know about Jamaica, the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean? Let University of Illinois Extension 4-H staff take you on a virtual journey through the country to learn about foods, customs, and culture for 4-H International Day 2021.
Join...
Virtual 4-H performing arts club taps into children’s creativity
DECATUR, Ill.— If you have a young dreamer longing for a chance to perform, DeWitt, Macon and Piatt 4-H in collaboration with Millikin University’s Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre is offering The Little Dreamers virtual performing arts 4-H club this February.
The Little Dreamers virtual...
Four Seasons Gardening webinars return in 2021
URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening series will return in 2021 with three monthly webinars starting in January.
Horticulture educators will lead seasons on winter fruit tree pruning, the therapeutic value of nature and adaptive gardening to...
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...
Livestock managers may complete certification on Extension website
URBANA, Ill – According to the Livestock Management Facilities Act, livestock facilities in Illinois that house more than 300 animal units are required to have at least one certified livestock manager. The certificate is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and is valid...
Teens virtually explore countries' culture, cuisine and conversation with 4-H
DECATUR, Ill.— A new international cooking series for teens starting in January wants to see if the saying ''strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet" can be applied to new foods, too. The group will meet every other week for six weeks starting in mid-January.
Led by 4-H...
Holly Jolly Holiday Challenge invites youth to create holiday treats
DECATUR, Ill.— DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt County 4-H invite youth in Kindergarten through 12th grade to enter the Holly Jolly Holiday Challenge! Be festive and dazzle everyone with your holiday sweet treats.
Do you make a unique gingerbread house? Or are you an expert cookie decorator?...
Piatt County 4-H Cookin' In An Instant
MONTICELLO, Ill. — Electric pressure cookers have been finding a place on kitchen counters for the past couple of years. A safer alternative than the traditional stovetop pressure cooker, the electric pressure cooker offers busy families the ability to save time and stress when preparing meals....
Piatt County 4-H Photography Club
MONTICELLO, Ill.— Mike Heiniger Photography and DeWitt, Macon and Piatt County 4-H are offering Junior high and high school students a new 4-H photography club this winter.
Take Your Best Shot will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec 15, Dec. 22, Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, and Feb. 23...
Master Gardener Program offers new training options
DECATUR, Ill.— You don’t have to be a gardening expert to become a Master Gardener. All you need is an interest in gardening, a willingness to volunteer in the community, and a desire to share your knowledge with others. The program is about connections: connecting people with other gardeners,...
