News Releases

Educator Duane Friend honored for 30 years of soil, water conservation
URBANA, Ill. – When Duane Friend shows up to an event towing what looks like an oversized sandbox, he’s hard to miss. Over 30 years, more than 35,000 children have jostled for the best view of “river” water carving through the display as Friend describes...

Return to work may cause separation anxiety in furry friends
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - As people look forward to returning to full-time work schedules or vacations away from home, four-legged friends may not have the same feeling. The return to “normalcy” will be hard for many household pets who may have gotten used to more time with their owners and experience...

Summer blooms simplify warm-season grass identification
URBANA, Ill. – Most people can identify a few different trees by their leaves or flowers in bloom, but grasses are a different story. Grasses provided food and shelter for wildlife and are key to a healthy ecosystem. Learn to identify the wide variety of Illinois warm-season grasses in a...

Invite good insects into the garden to battle pests
...

Irrigate gardens to beat summer heat
...

Livestock judging teaches decision-making, adaptability
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H members were back in the showring for the 2021 State Livestock Judging Contest. Instead of leading animals, these young members were acting as judge, evaluating...

Preserve food safely; Extension workshop covers the basics
...

Illinois teen is national 4-H archery reserve champion
...

Extension names new agriculture outreach leadership
...

Repair, renovate, restore: How communities support growth with TIF funding
URBANA, Ill. – Tax Increment Funding (TIF) provides a way for municipalities to spur economic growth and make infrastructure improvements in qualifying economically stagnant or physically declining areas, designated as TIF districts. TIF districts reallocate property tax funds while...

New health care research provides solutions for today's health challenges
URBANA, Ill. – Cutting-edge research in health sciences plays a vital role in preventing disease, driving new treatments, and improving the way health care professionals and systems work and approach diagnosis. “The amount of time it takes for those research findings to make it from the...

Small bug, big risk: Protect yourself from ticks this summer
URBANA, Ill. — When venturing in the woods this summer, don’t forget to protect yourself from a small, but dangerous creature likely lurking in trees, grass, and bushes. Ticks are easy to pick up when visiting grassy areas, woods, prairies, wetlands, deer trails, and brushy...

Blistering heat, high humidity puts us at risk
URBANA, Ill. – June has been hot and muggy. Regardless what the thermometer reads, it just feels hotter. Feels-like temperatures are calculated using the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and an understanding of how the human body responds to heat and cold. ...

Teens find their voices in youth leadership role
Urbana, Ill. – Five Illinois teens have a new way to make their voices heard on a statewide platform through the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team. The team is comprised of 20 4-...

To water or not to water? Classic debate over summer lawn care begins
...

Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
URBANA, Ill. – After a long winter, Illinois gardeners are eager for the new growing season. While doing the usual preparations and tasks, home gardeners should be aware of an invasive species wriggling across the Midwest – the jumping worm. Jumping worms are non-native earthworms that...

New crop scouting competition tests student field skills
URBANA, Ill. – In a corn or soybean field, knowing how crops are progressing or being able to identify an insect can mean the difference between a profitable harvest and a bad year. The first-ever Illinois Crop Scouting Competition is a one-day on-campus contest in August that tests...

Youth make their mark in the livestock industry
URBANA, Ill.— Illinois teens gained hands-on experience in the livestock field in this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference in April.  Youth were able to practice real-world skills in one of...

Garden smarter, not harder: Free online Four Seasons Gardening series open
URBANA, Ill. – The growing season is in full swing and University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening summer series starting in June is here to help home gardeners be successful. Four Seasons Gardening is one of Illinois...

Community initiatives combat outmigration of young talent in rural areas
URBANA, Ill. ­­– In 2018, 86 of Illinois’ 102 counties experienced population decline, and almost every rural county in Illinois has experienced outmigration of its youngest and brightest talent. “Outmigration of young adults impacts so many areas of the community, including school...