News releases

Illinois Extension 4-H Member Spotlight: Emalyn Williams
MORRIS, Ill. — Every 4-H member has a story. Whether they are caring for animals, exploring science, serving their community, or developing leadership skills, Illinois 4-H, the flagship youth development program of...

“Helping students become good people”: Union School students showcase months of learning at annual plant sale
JOLIET, Ill. — After 27 weeks of planting, watering, learning, and preparing, students at Union School District 81 welcomed community members to their annual plant sale on Friday, May 15, the end-of-year showcase of the University of Illinois Extension...

How farmers respond to climate-related risk
As climate change increases the frequency of drought, excessive rainfall, and other extreme weather events, farmers face growing uncertainty about crop production. Understanding how farmers perceive and respond to that uncertainty can help improve agricultural policy and climate...

Add sunshine and new Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening webinars to summer
URBANA, Ill. — Summer activities around the garden can be fun and a way to spend a little more time outside. Take a break from the sun to watch two new webinars from University of Illinois Extension’s...

Illinois Extension highlights practical ways to support youth mental health
URBANA, Ill. — Many adults feel unprepared to navigate conversations around mental health with the young people in their care. During Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, University of Illinois Extension and...

Morris area youth learn about civic engagement, local government at annual Government Day event
MORRIS, Ill. — Youth from area schools traveled to Morris last week to spend time with local community leaders and learn more about civic engagement during the 2026 Grundy County Government Day program hosted by the University of Illinois Extension’s...

ACES Agronomy Days series returns to University of Illinois
With summer just around the corner, Agronomy Days will soon return to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The season-long series teaches Illinois growers the latest...

“You do not have to face hardship alone”: New food pantry opens in Kankakee
KANKAKEE, Ill. — Community leaders gathered outside the Kankakee Area YMCA Child Care Center on Saturday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony as shelves inside the new pantry stood filled with food and household essentials.For Kristi Schu,...

From frosting to future skills: Illinois 4-H youth showcase creativity and confidence in state cake decorating competition
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H youth put their creativity, planning, and presentation skills to the test during the 2026 State Cake Decorating Competition on May 7 at Bevier Hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.The high-energy, live competition brought together youth...

Extension brings Joliet schools to the outdoors with support from ExxonMobil
JOLIET, Ill. — For many years, University of Illinois Extension and Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers have brought youth from six...

Hunters Feeding Illinois provides 138,900 servings of lean protein to families across 48 counties
URBANA, Ill. — At a time when grocery costs are high, Hunters Feeding Illinois distributed 46,366 pounds of lean protein to food pantries across Illinois during the 2025-26 hunting season. This provided an estimated...

New name, same high-impact learning: Illinois 4-H Dish Dash challenges youth to think on their feet in the kitchen
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois youth put their culinary creativity and teamwork to the test during the newly renamed Illinois 4-H Dish Dash, held May 7 at Bevier Hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The event had had 20 teams compete across two different sessions, with a total of...

Explore key benefits, challenges of using agricultural drones at Illinois Extension field day
URBANA, Ill. — Technology continues to advance and modernize today’s farming practices. Drone use in farming has gained steady traction and interest, particularly in the application of agricultural inputs such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.Attendees can learn more at a field-...

Novel Illinois weed species, Asian copperleaf, identified in northern Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — Corn and soybean farmers should be scouting for a new weed this upcoming growing season. According to University of Illinois crop experts, Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) was identified in a field in Stephenson County in...

Illinois Extension staff spotlight: Brooke Katcher
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.This month's spotlight features...

From judging to food systems: 4-H youth build real-world skills at poultry contest
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H members demonstrated their poultry evaluation skills during the 2026 Illinois 4-H Poultry Judging Contest held April 28 on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.The annual contest provides youth with hands-on experience...

Find solutions for managing plant pests with hands-on training in Introduction to Invasive Species Management course
URBANA, Ill. — When it comes to managing invasive plants, having hands-on experience can be the difference between stopping an invasion before it takes hold and watching a single species overrun a forest. This...

Grundy County youth earn top honors at Illinois 4-H State Public Speaking Contest
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Youth from across the state demonstrated confidence, creativity, and communication skills during the University of Illinois Extension 4-H State Public Speaking Contest held April 25 at Parkland College in Champaign, including two...

Three local 4-H members earn state scholarships for excellence and leadership
URBANA, Ill. — The career achievements of University of Illinois Extension 4-H members are being celebrated with $67,500 in scholarships awarded by the Illinois 4-H Foundation. Three local youth from Manhattan, Grant Park, and Orland Park, respectively, were recognized as statewide winners of...

Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference builds confidence, leadership skills in young teens
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nearly 90 seventh and eighth-grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2026 4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC) held March 7-8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. This event is planned and hosted by the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team....