Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Shared Information at Fair
DUQUOIN, Ill.— During the DuQuoin State Fair, several Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists were on-hand to answer horticulture related questions and share information on the area’s natural resources. In addition, several Master Gardener volunteers hosted pop-up programming. University...

Extension Highlights Research at Jackson County
Murphysboro, Ill.- Each year, University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educators Bronwyn Aly and Nathan Johanning look for ways to highlight new and innovative grower practices. Over the past five years, they have partnered with area farms to provide evening meetings...

Illinois 4-H Foundation Honors 80 Volunteers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Three local 4-H leaders were among the 80 volunteers recognized by the Illinois 4-H Foundation as 4-H Hall of Fame recipients during a ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Cathy Hewlett of Franklin County, Sharon Swisher of Jackson County and...

Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Share Information at Fair
DUQUOIN, Ill.— During the DuQuoin State Fair, several Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists will be available to answer horticulture related topics and share information on the area’s natural resources. They will be stationed at the Expo Hall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Aug. 24 through Sept. 1...

Rain Garden Workshop
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Understanding how rain gardens function as well as how to design, install and maintain rain gardens will be the focus of an upcoming Introduction to Rain Gardens Workshop, hosted by the Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission and University of Illinois...

Extension to Host Native Plant Workshop
CARTERVILLE, Ill.- Native plants are a very important part of our ecosystem. They can house and feed our native wildlife and provide unique beauty to any landscape. Horticulture Extension Educator, Austin Little, and Environmental & Energy Stewardship Extension Educator, Erin Medvecz, are...

Extension Hosts Ewing Agronomy Field Day
EWING, Ill.— Extension educators and campus faculty came together to provide best management practices for local growers at the Ewing Agronomy Field Day. Every season presents challenges to production, and this year was no exception. The unseasonably wet spring filled with heavy rains caused...

Master Naturalists Contribute Photos to Rend Lake Visitor Center
BENTON, Ill.— Years ago, Joanna Gray and Teresa Fouke met during a college photography class. They bonded over their love for birds and for the past few years, this Franklin County duo has spent most Sundays at Rend Lake capturing some great images of the region’s ecosystem. Located in the heart...

Extension to Host Program on Managing Cover Crops for Livestock
SPARTA, Ill.— University of Illinois Extension and Randolph County Farm Bureau are teaming up to bring you a free program on managing cover crops for livestock on Wednesday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. Grazing or harvesting cover crops offers livestock producers the opportunity to capture high...

Jackson County Extension Office to Host Twilight Meeting
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— University of Illinois Extension is excited to be the host for the fourth and final twilight meeting at the Jackson County Extension Office on Monday, August 19, 2019 starting at 6 p.m.  University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educators, Bronwyn...

Southern Illinois Beef Conference
INA, Ill.— The Southern Illinois Beef Conference will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 in the Applied Science Center at Rend Lake College, Ina, Illinois from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The conference is designed to be useful for cow/calf and stocker/backgrounding producers of all knowledge...

Williamson County Shooting Sports Receives $1,000 Gift
MARION, Ill.— Williamson County 4-H Shooting Sports received a $1,000 gift from Whitetails Unlimited in support of the program. Shooting Sports is a SPIN (special interest) club that meets regularly to learn about and practice shooting sports. The program teaches youth archery (ages 8-18), .22...

Residents Learn about Production and Marketing of Fruit
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— As you walk through the doors of Mileur Orchard and look to your right, you’ll notice a small framed photo hanging on the wall. That portrait showed four generations of orchardists that make up the rich history of the Mileur Orchard. The Mileur’s farm has been in the family...

Nourish Your Neighbor by Donating Healthy Food
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— A sad reality is that many individuals suffer from food insecurity and are without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Food insecurity exists in every county in America. How could this be possible in a country that has more than enough food...

Extension Hosts Brain Health Program
CHESTER, Ill.— Local Randolph County residents who are part of the Diabetes Support Group learned that “Two Heads are Better Than One” during a brain health program on socialization, led by Family Life Educator Susan Sloop. Sloop stated that “what is good for your body is good for your...

Local Youth Place in Horse Show
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Local 4-H members in Jackson, Perry and Randolph counties recently participated in their annual horse show. The 4-H horse projects and activities provide a hands-on opportunity for youth to explore raising and showing horses while developing life skills. These projects are...

Dixon Springs Ag Center to Host Beef Field Day
DIXON SPRINGS, Ill.— The annual Beef Field Day at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center (DSAC) will be on Tuesday, July 30.  A variety of topics on beef cattle will be provided. Topics to be presented this year include: management and/or control of invasive plants...

Ewing Agronomy Field Day
EWING, Ill.—The University of Illinois Extension will host the Ewing Demonstration Center Agronomy Field Day on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.  Every growing season presents challenges to production, and this year is no exception!  We are happy to host this summer field day to share with...

Williamson County Hosts Fun Summer Workshops
MARION, Ill.— Summer is in full swing and local 4-H members have kept busy attending some fun, hands-on activities and workshop at the Williamson County Extension Office. At the beginning of the season, 4-H members participated in the local Herrin Festa Italiana parade where they won the Grand...

Randolph County Youth Sewing Club Meets This Summer
Red Bud, Ill.- The Randolph County 4-H “Sew Adorable” Sewing Club met today for the first of six summer meeting dates. This 4-H special interest (SPIN) club is led by Prairie Schooners club leader, Sarah Koester, with the help of junior leader Grace Koester and Home and Community Education (HCE...