News Releases

Online and on the ground, new program empowers Illinois communities to tackle invasive species
URBANA, Ill. — When is the best time to remove invasive amur bush honeysuckle? Is it better to mow an invasion of teasel or treat it with an herbicide? What is the best way to get rid of tree of heaven?...

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, ...

Fall soil amendment educational program to take place at Dewey Farm & Greenhouse
ELDORADO, Ill. – Growing a great garden starts with the soil. Fall soil preparation can be the key to a healthy, successful garden next spring! Join Extension educator, Bronwyn Aly, to learn about soil amendments, including cover crops, compost, manure, and more, on Tuesday, October...

Bayer gift launches Morrow Plots revitalization for 150th anniversary
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced a gift from Bayer’s Crop Science...

Asian longhorned ticks on the move, new detection found in Clay County
URBANA, Ill. — The invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was recently detected in a new county in Illinois, representing the third county in which it has been found following its ...

National Science Foundation invests in U. of I. ACES-led project to reduce grassland fire risk
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced new funding to understand and reduce grassland fire risk in the Southern Great Plains. The five-year project is being led by grassland fire expert...

2025 Master Gardener Conference celebrates 50 years of growth, connection  
URBANA, Ill. — Some moments of legacy are written down, others branch off the page beneath the canopy of a shady tree, in the scent of fresh herbs rubbed between fingertips, through butterfly-sculpted glass...

Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...

Clues about vanishing whip-poor-wills uncovered at birds’ wintering grounds
URBANA, Ill. — Often heard and rarely seen, the Eastern Whip-poor-will and its namesake nighttime call is an iconic Midwestern woodland bird. But like many other insect-eating birds, its numbers are declining....

Sustaining a healthy world starts in your backyard
From your backyard to the global ecosystem, everything in nature is connected. A core University of Illinois Extension program area —...

Celebrate food safety month by exploring Extension resources
URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing...

Illinois Extension to host inaugural Stormwater Leadership Summit
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois communities are facing more stormwater challenges due to larger storm events creating water quantity issues, infrastructure mitigation needs, and a lack of resources protecting water quality for all communities. To address this, University of Illinois Extension is...

Webinar series equips caregivers to manage diabetes in adults with disabilities
URBANA, Ill. — Adults with disabilities face significantly higher rates of diabetes, with prevalence climbing from 5.8% among those without disabilities to 18.3% among those with moderate to severe disabilities, according to the...

Illinois Extension youth crop scouting competition grows interest in agricultural careers
URBANA, Ill. — “You can be a doctor in agriculture or an engineer; there are so many things you can do in agriculture,” says Doug Gucker, local food systems and small farms educator with ...

Don’t be in the dark when it comes to power grid resiliency in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — Power is readily available at the flick of a switch, but what does it take to make that happen now and in the future for everyone? This September, representatives from the Union of Concerned Scientists will join University of Illinois Extension...

University of Illinois Extension announces NC State agricultural leader as its new director
URBANA, Ill. — Matthew Vann has been named the new associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, the flagship public engagement organization housed in...

2025 State 4-H Fishing Tournament Reels in Record Participation
URBANA, Ill. — The fifth annual Illinois 4-H Hooks-Us-Together statewide fishing tournament concluded with a record-setting year, drawing 321 entries from 4-H youth across Illinois. The virtual event, held during May, June, and July, challenged participants to submit...

4-H Master Showmanship stars shine at 2025 Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Ill. —The 25th Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest took place on Friday, Aug. 8, , drawing talented 4-H members ages 14 to 18 who had already earned their spots by winning county-level competitions. Hosted in partnership with the Illinois Farm Bureau, the...