A layered landscape provides space for wildlife all year
URBANA, Ill. — There are many ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in home landscapes, such as providing floral resources throughout the season, planting host plants, and planting native plants. In addition, consider creating a space for them to live out their life cycles by creating...
A Look at USDA Prospective Plantings Report – March 31, 2025
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the estimated acres for corn and soybeans to be planted. The report indicates a substantial reduction in intended soybean plantings for 2025 (at a negative 4%), offset by a significant increase in intended acres to be planted in...
4-H Cooking Class held in Fulton County
Youth from Fulton, Mason, and Peoria counties recently gathered at the Illinois Extension office in Lewistown to sharpen their culinary skills to learn essential cooking techniques, explore a brand new 4-H Food Project area, and create delicious food. Long-time 4-H volunteer and...
Fulton County 4-H Public Speaking Contest/Performing Arts Show held
The Fulton County 4-H Public Speaking Contest and Performing Arts Show were held on Saturday, March 29 at the Checkrow Community Church in rural Avon. 4-H member Aaliyah Naff presented a formal speech and Aliyah Janssen did an oral interpretation. Both participants received blue ratings and...
Explore the future of STEM at the 2025 4-H STEM Career Exploration Camp
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)? The annual 4-H STEM Career Exploration Camp is back for 2025—now open to all youth entering 6th through 8th grade.Dates: June 16...
Digital Navigator provided professional development for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists
PEORIA, Ill. - Video conferencing may have seen a burst of use during recent years, but its popularity hasn’t waned much. Today, educational, social, and professional opportunities frequently rely on video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meets. Local University of...
Explore invasive plant, animal, insect research updates at Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
URBANA, Ill. — When it comes to invasive species, what we don’t know, can hurt us. From insects that kill trees to plants that may increase tick populations, invasive species are a serious threat to Illinois natural areas, waterways, and farm fields because once they take hold, removing them is...
Master Naturalists launch new Accessible Nature Exploration program
LEWISTOWN, Ill - After years of leading active nature groups, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists Peggy West and Jen McDaniel suddenly found themselves unable to keep up with fast-paced groups. So they...
Available prairie seed mixes may fall short for pollinators
URBANA, Ill. — As populations of bees and butterflies decline in the Midwest, native prairie restoration becomes crucial. A new Prairie Research Institute study found, however, that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering...
Root awakening: spring tree tips
URBANA, Ill. — As winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, it's time to give trees the care they need to thrive. Trees, like all living things, require attention and maintenance, especially as they transition from dormancy to the growing season. Help trees recover from winter damage,...
Choosing your farm financial records software
HAVANA, Ill. - Improving farm efficiency is vital in today’s farming world. Keeping track of your farm financial records and being able to report the results with ease helps the farmer to improve operational efficiency. Selecting the right software for record keeping is vital.Just...
Hunters Feeding Illinois provides 97,000 meals to Illinois families
URBANA, Ill. — In the 2024-25 hunting season, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 25,794 pounds of frozen, ground venison to 54 food pantries across east-central and southern Illinois. This provided an estimated 97,000 meals, reaching nearly 49,800 families.Formerly the Illinois Deer...
Explore 2025 All-America Selection plant, flower award winners
URBANA, Ill. — Another Illinois winter comes closer to a close, depending on which region of the state you live in. Cold and snowy days may have drug on, but the promise of spring and garden catalogs ease the time before March planting. Whatever the plan is for 2025 gardens, leave room for those...
Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - In August 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new herbicide strategy aimed at better aligning with the Endangered Species Act. This new strategy will alter pesticide labels by adding extra mitigation measures that seek to reduce pesticide exposure to over...
Farmland owners search for best uses for old pole barns
HAVANA, Ill. - Older machine sheds built in the 1970s dot the Illinois farm landscape. Are these old sheds worth keeping and using as rental buildings? The challenge is that many old pole sheds are in bad shape and too small for modern farm equipment. These sheds are expensive to maintain and...
Tips for working with your farm lender
HAVANA, Ill. - The average age of farmers in Illinois hovers at around sixty years of age. This statistic implies that many current farmers have memories of the 1980s when the world of Midwest farming fell apart: many family farm operations were forced out of business. The 1970s saw a sharp...
Fulton 4-H Shooting Sports to hold spring session
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension announces that the Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports Program will begin its spring session on April 6, 2025. Registration materials are available online at https://go.illinois.edu/...
Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home
URBANA — As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Benefits of Starting SeedsSeeds started...
