If you established a cover crop last fall or earlier this spring, the persistent April rainfall likely worked in your favor. Across northern Illinois, April weather was highly variable but ultimately warmer and much wetter than normal, shaping planting conditions throughout the western Chicago...
Listeriosis is a disease caused by the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is often acquired from consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Foods often...
Yes, the flowers and grass in the basket in this blog's cover photo are real! Our horticulture staff added grass seed and soil to the baskets a week before class and then helped class participants plant...
Beans are a wonderful source of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, iron, folate and potassium. Choosing dried beans over canned is generally a healthy idea since canned beans tend to be loaded with sodium. However, certain dried beans can be very harmful if not prepared correctly....
Many areas of Illinois are experiencing effects of little rain in 2025. This includes a community I work in that is asking its residents to practice water conservation. Beyond not using lawn irrigation...
Partnerships are a big part of Illinois Extension programs. This one started more than five years ago with a conversation about deer hunting and turned into recipes, videos, a webinar, and Hunters Feeding Illinois. As...
“How long has this turkey been in the fridge?” “Are these mashed potatoes still good?” “Will this stuffing last until Christmas?”These are common questions you might hear echoing from the kitchen after the holidays. Sharing food with family and friends makes great memories, but no one wants to...
What are your favorite nuts and seeds? Maybe pecans or walnuts? Sunflower or pumpkin seeds? Fortunately, no matter your favorites, nuts are a nutritious choice!NutritionNutritionally, 1/4 cup of most nuts and seeds - or 2 Tablespoons nut butter - contains 14-18g fat, 5-7g protein, 2-4g fiber,...
Well, as you think about them, here are some quick ones to put on the list if you do not have any. Refrigerator thermometers, freezer thermometers, and cooking thermometers. These thermometers are very important to have and to use if you would like to ensure food safety at home or in your...
Antibiotic resistance continues to be a problem, that needs to be solved. Antibiotic resistance is when it becomes more difficult to kill bacteria using antibiotics. When foodborne pathogens become antibiotic resistant, the people who contract a foodborne illness may not respond well to treatment....
