Plant positivity, learn how to grow a school or community garden
URBANA, Ill. — When green spaces fill schoolyards and neighborhoods with flowers and fresh produce, children and communities thrive. But the journey from the idea of starting a community or school-based garden to planting one that is built to last is long. What funding sources are available?...
Enjoy the silence. Cicadas are coming
If you haven't heard the buzz, you will soon. Billions of periodical cicadas are coming, and University of Illinois Extension is sharing information to help track their moves before emergence.
“Historically speaking, 2024 is a big year for...
Discover the Magic of Straw Bale Gardening at Workshop Hosted by University of Illinois Extension
Whether you're a novice gardener feeling overwhelmed or an experienced enthusiast seeking a new challenge, look no further than straw bale gardening! This innovative approach to gardening involves growing produce directly within a working compost pile, offering a unique and rewarding experience...
Grasses at a Glance blog earns award from national Extension organization
URBANA, Ill. — Grasses are a small and often subtle backbone of many ecosystems, making up nearly 30% of the planet’s land cover. They prevent soil erosion, regulate water flow, and provide food and habitat for wildlife and livestock. But ask someone to identify one grass from another, and you...
Get tools to manage non-native plants and insects at Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
URBANA, Ill. — Spotted lanternflies were found in Illinois for the first time in 2023. Quagga and zebra mussels clog water intake pipes on Lake Michigan, and every spring, invasive Bradford Callery pear trees and amur bush honeysuckle bloom across Illinois communities instead of native...
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...
Donation garden gets healthy start thanks to community planting day
MARION, Ill. – Since 2021, the Cultivating Care Donation Garden has supplied fresh produce to The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois Food Pantry. Staff, volunteers, community partners, and local youth helped establish this year’s garden during a community planting day in April.
With the...
Unlock better hearing and discover teleaudiology solutions with Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Hearing is not merely a sense but serves as a gateway to communication and connection with the world. However, many individuals face challenges with hearing loss, significantly impacting their daily lives. Recognizing this, individuals must educate themselves and understand the...
Six replacement trees for invasive Callery pear
URBANA, Ill. — Now considered an invasive species, Callery pear is a widely used ornamental flowering tree with negative effects on native ecosystems. The tree is still bought, sold, and planted because it has not yet made the...
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...
Spring brings opportunity to forage wild mushrooms
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a time of change. Migrating birds return. Ephemeral wildflowers start popping up. And morel mushrooms start appearing prompting enthusiastic mushroom hunters to scour forests across Illinois in search of the elusive and delectable fungi.
Determined...
Discover added benefits to planting windbreaks
URBANA, Ill. — Windbreaks are utilized as critical components of agriculture worldwide and have been for centuries. Traditionally, windbreaks are linear plantings layered with trees and shrubs primarily designed to reduce wind speeds. Also known as shelterbelts, windbreaks have the potential to...
Green Trees Initiative adds 25 new trees to Perry County Fairgrounds
PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. - Illinois once held 14 million acres of trees, but that number has dropped to five million due to modern development practices. Illinois 4-H has partnered with Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the state to help turn the tide by planting oak trees....
Determining cash rent on Illinois farmland
URBANA, Ill. — One of the most consistently asked questions to University of Illinois Extension offices across the state is, what is the going rate for cash rent for farmland?
Cash rent rates are a common yet recurring question that is...
Future forests rely on stewardship, knowledge of private landowners
FREEPORT, Ill. — A forest is many things. Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife. Their leaves clean the air, and their roots filter water, slow floods, and prevent soil erosion. Timber products are crucial to local economies and tourism. Forests and woodlands also once made up more...
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...
National leadership super summit gives teens new pathways
Washington, D.C.. – Eighteen teen leaders from across Illinois were chosen to represent Illinois 4-H at the Ignite by 4-H Summit to be held Mar. 13-17 in Washington D.C.
Teens experienced four days of inspiring and engaging panels, respected speakers, workshop sessions, entertainment and...
Local youth place at 2024 livestock and dairy judging contest
DUQUOIN, Ill. – The DuQuoin State Fairgrounds was filled with 162 local 4-H and FFA youth from 20 counties at the annual livestock and dairy judging contest in mid-March. Livestock judging is the evaluation of an animal's characteristics and making a comparison to other animals and the...
