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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Local 4-H Member Attends Summer Leadership Conference
MARION, Ill.— A local 4-H member had the chance to experience a one-of-a-kind leadership program this summer. Kadyn Martin was selected to represent the University of Illinois Extension Franklin/Perry/Jackson/Randolph/Williamson county unit at LEAD: The Spirit of Lincoln Youth Leadership...

Local Residents Learn about Food Preservation and Cooking with Herbs
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Mary Liz Wright, spent the day at the Jackson County Extension office to host two programs for local residents. Wright who serves in Clark, Crawford and Edgar counties, is the only Nutrition and Wellness Educator south of Interstate 70....

4-H Youth Prepare for Franklin County Fair
BENTON, Ill.— The Franklin County Fair is right around the corner and our 4-H youth are gearing up for the annual event. Local 4-H participants “learn by doing,” and the fair is their opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their time in 4-H as they...

Educator Shares Information on Weed Management
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Horticulture Educator, Austin Little, led a workshop on managing weeds in the home landscape. During the course of the evening, Little gave a general overview of the best management practices for weed control.  He also shared tips for landscaping to deter the...

Free Health Fair and Screenings Offered at Mobile Market
ELKVILLE, Ill.— The Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network (HSIDN) Diabetes Today Resource Team (DTRT) partnered with the University of Illinois Extension to provide a Family Health Fair and free health screenings at the Elkville First Baptist Church Mobile Food Market the last part of...

Twilight Meeting Provides information on High Tunnels to Local Residents
DIXON SPRINGS, Ill.— Nearly 50 participants attended the summer twilight series meeting at the Local Foods Research and Demonstration Area at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center this past Monday, June 17.  The Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, established in the late 1930’s, is the...

Mileur Orchard to Host Upcoming Twilight Meeting
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Mileur Orchard is excited to be the host for the third of four summer twilight meetings on Monday, July 8, 2019 starting at 6 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educators, Bronwyn Aly and Nathan Johanning, have been partnering with...

Local Farmer Directs Donation to Franklin County 4-H
BENTON, Ill.— County farmer Pat Browning, directed $2,500 to Franklin county 4-H through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Bayer Fund. “As part of their mission, Franklin County 4-H will use the funds to provide more workshops and programs for all youth in Franklin County...

Randolph County Youth Get Experience with Drones
SPARTA, Ill.— Soaring at speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour, a small drone hovered over the wheat fields and farmlands of rural Randolph County as local 4-H members had a hands-on experience with the equipment.  Alan Piel, local resident and owner Flyin High Photography and DAM Drones...

4-H Youth Gearing up for Perry County Fair
PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill.— The Perry County Fair is scheduled to kick off this weekend with live music, pageants and family fun.  Local 4-H participants “learn by doing,” and the fair is their opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their time in 4-H as...

Extension to Host Program on Cooking with Herbs
MURPHYSBORO, Ill.— Things feeling a little bland? Want to spice up your life a bit? If so, please join us on a culinary journey as visiting Extension Educator, Mary Liz Wright, discusses the topic of herbs! Herbs are wonderful addition to any dish as well as your garden or pots on the porch...