Harvest milkweed pods; plant Monarch butterfly garden
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois needs to plant milkweed, and a lot of it, over the next 18 years to ensure the state’s official insects, monarch butterflies, survive.
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4-H members earn awards in virtual show
DECATUR, Ill – University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H shows looked different this year. Traditional in-person events were replaced with a virtual fair platform that was rolled out by Illinois 4-H after in-person activities were cancelled. Macon and Piatt 4-H members quickly adapted to the new...
Seniors, don’t just eat cereal for dinner
DECATUR, Ill - When teaching nutrition education classes to seniors, Caitlin Mellendorf, registered dietitian and University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator, regularly hears that after years of cooking for themselves and their families, easy meals like cereal and milk or a...
Get the most from your energy budget
URBANA, Ill. – Understanding how electric utilities work and the services available can help residents and governments invest resources wisely and save money. In a series of energy policy webinars, University of Illinois...
Virtual Monarch Madness features published authors
DECATUR— Monarchs in North America are the only butterflies with a predictable, annual migration. These butterflies log approximately 2,500 miles before they reach their migration destination in Mexico. Monarch populations have been rapidly declining for many years, and although some...
Four Seasons webinars provide help for home gardeners and forest enthusiasts
URBANA, Ill. – With many fall activities canceled, gardening has enjoyed an increased enthusiasm. University of Illinois Extension provides reliable research-based information on gardening and landscaping. The popular Four Seasons...
Become a Master Gardener and help others grow
DECATUR – Do you have an interest in gardening, time to volunteer in the community, and a desire to share your knowledge with others? The University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener program serving DeWitt, Macon and Piatt counties might be the perfect fit for you. Applications are now...
4-H virtual horse show a success
DEWITT – 4-H members from DeWitt and Macon counties submitted photos and videos to an online judging platform for this year’s 4-H horse show. Twenty-three exhibitors provided still photographs and video showing their horses and ponies walking, trotting and running.
These are the...
Do not plant seeds of unknown origins
URBANA, Ill. – Mystery packages with unidentified seeds have shown up in mailboxes across the U.S. over the past week. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts urge people to never plant unidentified seeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is...
Lawn rust and why your shoes are turning orange
URBANA, Ill. – The first hint of lawn rust often comes from the bottom of shoes, says Chris Enroth, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Homeowners may...
Virtual 4-H shows build alumni relationships
DECATUR, Ill.— Traditional in-person 4-H shows will not be taking place this summer, but 4-H members still have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge learned in project areas. County shows have transitioned to a virtual format for this year which allows 4-H alumni from across the United...
Reduce your risk of diabetes with proper nutrition
URBANA, Ill. – More than one in three adults have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and many don’t know it. People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose levels, which raise the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as type 2 diabetes.
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Master Naturalist training begins September 1
DECATUR, Ill. – Do you feel a connection to nature? Are you passionate about the environment? Why not use your skills and talents for the Master Naturalist Program through University of Illinois Extension. The Master Naturalist training program begins this fall and educates adult volunteers to...
Illinois Master Gardeners announce new volunteer website
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners donated 189,392 hours across the state in 2019, answering questions, leading programs, and volunteering at community garden projects. These 2,719 garden enthusiasts of all ages volunteer at local Illinois Extension offices to...
