Fulton County 4-H Federation officers are elected
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Fulton County 4-H Federation had election of officers at its October 4 meeting. Cole Ricker was elected President, and Lee Tilton was elected Vice President. Alexander Wetterauer was elected Secretary, and Holden Myers was elected Treasurer.Fulton County 4-H Federation...
4-H members and volunteers honored at achievement and volunteer recognition event
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County 4-H recently honored thirty-two 4-H members for their outstanding accomplishments in the 4-H program. The Achievement Program and Volunteer Recognition Event was held Sunday, October 19, at the Donaldson Community Center in Canton...
Water trees wisely to beat winter woes
URBANA, Ill. — As autumn colors emerge, it may seem that trees are preparing for rest. However, when fall brings dry conditions instead of seasonal rains, trees can enter winter under stress. Fall droughts can be subtle but have lasting impacts. With timely care, trees can weather dry spells and...
Farm Drainage Series – Part 3: A tile main multi-farm project
HAVANA, Ill. - Draining excess water from farm fields in Illinois is vital to food and renewable fuel production. However, the lack of adequate farm drainage is a serious problem. Many older farm drainage systems are still in place but are past their viable economic use value due to being...
National 4-H Week observed in Fulton County
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Fulton County 4-H Clubs prepared window displays promoting the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program during National 4-H Week, October 5 -11, 2025. Fulton County 4-H clubs used the theme “Red, White, and Blue and Clover too!”. Five 4-H clubs created festive and eye-...
Youth handlers shine at 2025 4-H state dog show
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The 2025 Illinois 4-H Dog Show was held on Oct. 4 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. Sixty-six 4-H members represented their home counties across Illinois in 118 individual runs made in partnership with their canine companion. Members who received a qualifying score at...
4-H and Canton Park District bring a piece of Illinois history back to Fulton County
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Early settlers to the Midwest were in awe of the park-like landscapes of oak savannas, which once dotted the prairie. Today, these beautiful and unique ecosystems are among the most threatened in the world. But thanks to the ...
Garden of Hope and SNAP-Ed work together on health and gardening classes
PEORIA, Ill. - Gardening is an excellent activity to do for one’s health. It combines healthy nutritious food, with outdoor activity. When you add those to a lovely, peaceful environment you have a recipe for success. University of Illinois Extension’s ...
Terminating a farm lease in Illinois
The following article is not to be construed as legal advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Information in this article comes in part from the State of Illinois Compiled Statutes (735 ILCS 5/9-206) (from Ch. 110, par. 9-206), which the reader can access online. Other...
Extraordinary Fulton County volunteer honored
Lewistown, Ill. - Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Crista Hartstirn, a 15-year volunteer in Fulton County, was recently honored by Illinois 4-H for her selfless...
Stop the exodus of the youngest and brightest talent from rural communities: A community discussion
HAVANA, Ill. - Rural communities have so much to offer, yet the population continues declining across the state. City leaders in Canton, Illinois, have taken action to try to change the trend. Canton community members and all neighboring community members are invited to join the conversation to...
Start selecting 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Sale bulls
URBANA, Ill. — Seedstock breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The IPT Bull Sale is the leadoff event for the annual Illinois Beef Expo in...
Youth sharpen their skills at 2025 Illinois 4-H shooting sports state competitions
Jacksonville, IL — The 2025 Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports State Competitions wrapped up this September, bringing together top youth marksmen from across the state in a series of events that showcased precision, skill, and sportsmanship. Held annually in late August and throughout September, the...
Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...
Hunters Feeding Illinois returns
URBANA, Ill. — Hunters Feeding Illinois returns for its fourth season, in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, ...
Golden Garden Day—West Central Celebration, 50 years of Extension Master Gardener impact
PEORIA, Ill - In 2025, the Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are celebrating 50 years of impact. Five regional events invited people from all over Illinois to join in looking back at the Extension Master Gardener program and how it has grown since 1975. Extension staff and volunteers from the...
Farm Drainage Series - Part 2: Why are there so many Ponded Farm Fields?
HAVANA, Ill. - When heavy rains result in ponded fields, the cause is poor drainage. Old field tiles in poor condition and/or undersized cannot efficiently remove excess water fast enough. When left unaddressed, the problem will worsen over time, resulting in compacted fields and lower yields....
Annie’s Project empowers local women in agriculture through education and networking
PEKIN, Ill. - The landscape of American agriculture is evolving, and at its heart is a growing wave of women stepping into leadership roles on the farm. According to the latest U.S. Ag Census, nearly 36% of the nation’s producers are now female, marking a significant shift in who is shaping the...
