Illinois AgrAbility provides assistive technology to farmers statewide
URBANA, Ill. — Stepping in to assist farmers through research, conversation, knowledge, and assistance devices is how Illinois AgrAbility continues to work alongside farmers across the state of Illinois. Together, the two work together to...
Illinois Conservation Police dive into preventing spread of aquatic invasive species
DECATUR, Ill. — A group of 150 Illinois Conservation Police Officers gathered in Decatur for a hands-on workshop on aquatic invasive species during their annual meeting this spring. Developed by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic invasive species team in...
Get your pressure canner tested for free by Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a great time to take inventory of your canning equipment to prepare for the summer canning season. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, make it a habit to get it tested by Illinois Extension every year.
Various...
Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series highlights diverse farming operations
SIMPSON, Ill. - Do you grow and sell fresh products locally? Are you considering diversifying your farming operation? Would you like to get to know your local farmer? Join University of Illinois Extension educators as they team up with area farmers to provide four monthly evening meetings to...
4-H youth honored for leadership, career achievements
Urbana, Ill. – 4-H youth across the state have been honored for their career achievements in the 4-H program.
The State 4-H Experience Award offers recognition for members who took part in activities and events in the categories of Participation, Community Service, Leadership, and...
Annie’s Project Empowers Women in Agriculture
ALBION, Ill.— Women may be an underrepresented group in the field of agriculture, but thanks to a local course, area participants can receive support and guidance. Annie's Project is a training program designed to empower women in agriculture through education, networks, and resources. Illinois...
Pesticide Applicator/Operator In-Person Testing this Winter
Pesticide Applicator/Operator In-Person testing will again be available locally this winter. Sessions will be held in Edwards, Richland, and Wayne Counties. Testing is free and is provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Extension. Individuals must register for testing. To...
New agriculture educator for Richland, Lawrence, Edwards, Wabash and Wayne counties
Katie Bell, a native of Neoga Illinois, recently started as Local Foods and Small Farms Educator serving the counties of Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne. Bell, previously worked as a Local Foods and Small Farms Educator in Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, and Williamson...
Barrow Boosters in Second Year of Program
Last year was the beginning of the Barrow Boosters program for Edwards County 4-H members that would like to take a swine project. There were nine members that took advantage of the program. The youth received their barrows in March of 2022 and had them ready for the Swine Show in July....
Study forecasts tile drainage and crop rotation changes for nitrogen loss
URBANA, Ill. – Midwestern agriculture contributes the vast majority of nitrogen in the Gulf of Mexico, causing an oxygen-starved hypoxic zone and challenging coastal economies. State and federal policies have tried for decades to provide solutions and incentives, but the hypoxic zone keeps...
Deer Donation program receives $25,000 to help feed Central Illinois families
URBANA, Ill. – More than a thousand Central Illinois families have been fed this winter thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Lumpkin Family Foundation. The foundation provided the grant to the University of Illinois Extension Deer Donation program in November to help reimburse meat processors....
Boost gut health with a tangy treat: Make sauerkraut at home
URBANA, Ill. – Probiotic-rich foods can enhance digestion and improve overall gut health. All are produced through fermentation, a food preservation method that has been used for thousands of years to naturally reduce the risk of food spoilage and foodborne illness. Common foods include ...
Harlan's leadership expands to 48 counties
URBANA, Ill. – Doug Harlan's leadership has guided University of Illinois Extension staff in central Illinois for more than 20 years. Now, Harlan will oversee Extension programs in the state’s lower 48 central and southern counties, serving as Extension assistant director for the...
Researchers: Farmers know tick risks; now is time to take preventative actions
URBANA, Ill. – Ticks, once limited to the northeast region of the United States, are making a westward migration across the U.S. and with them, tickborne diseases that cost the healthcare system up to $1.3 billion a year to treat. Exposure to ticks can happen anywhere - from backyards to parks...
Young farmers seek solutions to entry barriers
URBANA, Ill. – Young and beginning farmers face many challenges, including access to land, financial capital, technical knowledge and support, social networks, adequate labor, marketing experience, health insurance, and childcare.
University of Illinois Extension is wading through the...
Slow stormwater, prevent floods with rain friendly landscaping
URBANA, Ill. – Life does not exist without water. Gardens don’t grow without water. But what happens when there is too much of a good thing? Or when that good thing is mismanaged and becomes a misfortune. Or when there are prolonged periods of drought?“The tale of stormwater is more...
IDOA continues emergency rule to protect poultry from highly pathogenic avian influenza
SPRINGFIELD, Ill - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois to prevent the...
Study: Proposed nitrogen fertilizer policies could protect farmer profits, environment
URBANA, Ill. – Nitrogen fertilizer has major implications for crop yields and environmental health, specifically water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal and state governments have shied away from regulating nitrogen fertilizer use, but voluntary and incentives-based programs have not been...
