Build privacy with plants for secret gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Plants serve a lot of purposes in the landscape. One of which is to add some privacy. Screening plants can help define and give purpose to a space. Homeowners may wish to screen a particular area or transparency in the landscape, creating interest in what lies beyond. ...
Illinois Extension investing in the future of farming across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Helping Illinois farmers grow thriving crops and livestock has always been at the heart of University of Illinois Extension’s mission. Using feedback received from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders through a 2022 survey,...
Southern Illinois youth place in Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Ill. – Local 4-H members from Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, and Williamson County recently competed at the state level at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The best of the best were on display on August 11 at the 4-H General Project Show. Award-winning 4-H...
Money management strategies to help young adults achieve financial wellness
College can be an exciting time of self-discovery and growth, but it's also a time to face new financial challenges that produce anxiety and stress. To manage this, it's best to start early to build good financial habits that will ensure a solid future, learn how to make the most of financial...
Illinois AgrAbility will host health, safety tent at 2023 Farm Progress Show
DECATUR, Ill. — Illinois AgrAbility will host a health and safety tent at the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 29-31 in Decatur. The aim is to provide health and safety resources to farmers and the agricultural community, as well as access to free health screenings and services. Health and Safety...
Institute inspires youth change agents
BETHESDA, Md. — Six exceptional leaders from Illinois were selected to attend the National 4-H True Leaders in Equity Institute held July 10-13. This event aimed to empower and equip youth to become catalysts for change within the Cooperative Extension System.
The 2023 delegation...
Make flowers and memories last forever with drying for design
URBANA, Ill. — A great way to enjoy flowers with family and friends is to harvest and preserve them. The popularity of dried and pressed flowers has turned an old hobby into a renewed interior design and art trend. Who has not pressed that lucky four-leaf clover between a couple of pages of...
Ewing Agronomy Field Day connects farming community with agricultural experts
EWING, Ill. – What is now the Ewing Demonstration Center was established as a University of Illinois experimental site in 1909 with the donation of the original 20-acre tract to the University from Ewing College. At that time, many of the experimental plot areas that are still used today were...
Master Gardener program offers online training options
URBANA, Ill. — For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to...
Williamson County youth place in 4-H shows
MARION, Ill. –Williamson County 4-H members have been hard at work preparing for their annual shows where they had the chance to display their shooting sport talents, show their small pets, and present their general projects.
4-H members that receive state delegation for general show...
Policy fellows and scholars participate in inaugural summit
University of Illinois graduate students and recent graduates involved in the Center for Social and Behavioral Science Policy and Research Legislative Fellows (PRLF) Program...
Illinois Extension shares expertise in congressional briefing on national nutrition and health
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Fetterman (PA) and U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-15) joined the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on Wednesday, July 19, in the Capital Visitor Center for a briefing on the role of U.S....
How to grow tropical ginger for at-home spice
URBANA, Ill. — Growing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the backyard can seem like a lot of work, but at the end of the season, the bountiful, tasty harvest is worth it. The International Herb Association named ginger (Zingiber...
Extension leader brings a wealth of experience to government relations role
URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension provides decision-makers with practical, timely, and research-based information, giving leaders the tools they need to strengthen their communities and improve the quality of life in areas throughout...
5% acidity vinegar is key to safe canning
URBANA, Ill. — There’s a long list of home canned foods that use vinegar as an ingredient, including salsa, pickled vegetables, barbeque sauce, and preserved fruits like apple butter and cantaloupe pickles, as well as canned tomatoes as an acidifier. The vinegar increases acidity, thus lowering...
