News releases

The future of work: How will the pandemic impact worker needs?
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Help save lives, learn how to support mental health in farm, rural communities
URBANA, Ill. – America's farm families pay a heavy mental toll as they deal with unpredictable weather, long work hours, and unpredictable commodity prices. But a gap exists between agricultural workers and the resources they need to stay safe and healthy. Ag producers,...

During harvest: Know and teach electrical safety on the farm
From dump truck driver to teenager, everyone should be aware of potential electrical hazards SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Harvest means long hours, increased stress, and tight schedules. Because of that, ...

Natural lawn care made easy with new eco-friendly guide
URBANA, Ill. – Every summer weekend, like clockwork, the roar of lawnmowers fills neighborhoods across the state as homeowners and landscape companies try to keep up with the never-ending chore that is lawn care. ...

New grant bolsters Illinois agriculture, rural mental health initiatives
URBANA, Ill. – Farmers are stewards of the soil, their livestock, and their crops, but caring for the land means they often do not take time to care for themselves. Depression, anxiety, and suicide are more common in agricultural populations than the general public. With the Farm...

Tips for planting balled-burlapped trees for long-term health, success
URBANA, Ill. – Fall is a great time to plant trees, many of which are originally grown at a nursery either in a plastic container or in the ground before they are balled and burlapped. How the tree is grown in its first years and then planted affects the long-term health of the tree. ”...

Springfield resident named National 4-H Hall of Fame honoree
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Small businesses, underserved communities get assist from Extension food safety expert
URBANA, Ill. – Pratik Banerjee is an associate professor of food safety in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. His research and teaching focus on understanding the transmission of...

Enjoy soccer for fitness, fun on your own schedule
URBANA, Ill. – A new youth soccer program got kids up and moving this summer. This "at-your-own-pace" program centered on at-home activities that could be completed inside or outside, on any schedule.  “This program is a great COVID era-friendly option for kids,” says...

Youth livestock experts earn $9,000 in scholarships
Springfield, Ill. – Nine 4-H youth from across the state of Illinois used their knowledge and expertise in the livestock field to earn $1,000 scholarships at the August 11 Illinois...

Illinois awarded $20,000 Ag Innovators Experience Grant
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Ag Innovators Experience grant is a collaboration between National 4-H Council and Bayer that provides 6,...

Small bees attracted to small flowers
URBANA, Ill. – While the bumblebee is likely the most well-known pollinator, pollinators come in a variety of shapes, species, and sizes. “Many entomologists believe the tiny sweat bee nectaring on your flowering weed is just as important to a healthy ecosystem as the more well-known...

Illinois AgrAbility to demonstrate assistive technology at Farm Progress Show; hosts health and safety tent
DECATUR, Ill. – In addition to updates from the ag industry, visitors to the 2021 Farm Progress Show can get free hearing and vision screenings and free blood typing. The Health and Safety tent, sponsored by Illinois AgrAbility, will be open Tuesday, Aug. 31 through Thursday, Sept. 2 at the...

Baby feeding resource delivers peace of mind for new parents
URBANA, Ill. – New parents faced with the responsibility of caring for a baby often wonder how often to feed a newborn, when to wean babies from breastmilk or formula, when to introduce baby to solid foods, and whether homemade baby food is better than store-bought. Babies may not come...

Extension webinar extols value of Illinois waterways
URBANA, Ill. – The value of waterborne commerce in the tri-state region of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri in immense. The Heart of the Corn Belt handles enough freight tonnage to be ranked as the equivalent of the largest inland port in the nation.  In a free online webinar by...

Elevate Illinois positivity highlights Extension webinar
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Volunteers inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success. The program relies on more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the ...

Illinois youth leaders become global changemakers
URBANA, Ill. – Members of the Illinois 4-H Youth Science Ambassador Team created and presented a youth-led presentation focused on the causes of climate change, the science of the carbon cycle, and the impact our food choices can have on our environment to an audience of their Brazilian peers...

Use these essential tips to build healthy financial habits
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Plant asters for unique display of fall color 
URBANA, Ill. – Fall gardens may need some added pops of color this time of year to maintain beauty and diversity until winter arrives. Asters are a late-blooming, pollinator friendly flower that looks great in the garden and in a fall floral display.  “Think beyond the...