News Releases

Shake off winter blues with the Master Gardeners’ Garden Day
DANVILLE, Ill. – Is the frozen landscape making you daydream about spring flowers and bountiful harvests? It’s time to shake off those winter blues with Illinois Extension and Danville Area Community College! The...

Sign up for in-person pesticide applicator training clinics, testing across Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — Certain pesticide applications require that the applicator be licensed and certified. It is important to ensure this training and certification is done before making a pesticide application. Putting understanding, experience, safety, awareness, and knowledge to the test helps...

Grundy 4-H alumnus named Senior Program Lead for Positive Youth Development
URBANA, Ill – Illinois 4-H announced last week that Dr. Kevin Carey, Grundy County native, 4-H alumnus, and current Dean of Students for Campus Life at Illinois Wesleyan University, will serve as the Sr. Program Lead for Positive Youth Development at ...

Illinois Extension establishes advancement position to further mission
URBANA, Ill. — A new advancement position for Illinois Extension has been created that will focus on expanding fundraising efforts to further Extension’s land-grant mission of serving the residents of Illinois....

Check-in your bee hotel to support pollinator research
URBANA, Ill. — Bee hotels buzz with activity, but is it the right kind? A graduate student at University of Illinois is researching bees and needs help, in the form of donated used bee hotels, from the public to understand if these man-made nests are helping or harming bee populations in...

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants Available
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announces $6.4 million in competitive grant funds will be available for projects designed to help strengthen the state’s food supply chain. The program, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI), is a cooperative...

Illinois SNAP-Ed summits bring awareness to hunger, food insecurity
URBANA, Ill. — One in eleven people in Illinois struggle with food insecurity daily, including one in nine children, according to Feeding America. When families are hungry, making a healthy food choice is not always an easy...

Environmental educator will connect east-central Illinois with natural resources
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Whether you’re battling invasive species on your property, starting to compost at home, or trying to reduce fertilizers on the farm, doing the right thing for the environment isn’t always clear. The University of Illinois...

Use weed clues to dig up environmental issues like fertility, soil compaction, moisture issues
Winter is a good time to make garden plans, and one constant issue gardeners face every growing season is weeds. While weeds can be frustrating, they can also be saying more about a yard than you think. Weeds can be found in a wide range of locations. Some weedy plants are more likely to...

From snack to science: Innovative grant brings popcorn into the classroom
URBANA, Ill. — In a few years, popcorn could become a standard element in science classrooms across Illinois and the nation. With funding from a new USDA...

Ask questions, get answers for planting season at 2024 Illinois Crop Management Conference
URBANA, Ill. — As the new year begins, crop producers, consultants, and industry professionals already have the year’s crop on their minds. Stay up to date with research updates and opportunities impacting statewide crop production at the 2024 Illinois Crop Management Conference with...

Thriving Communities webinars offered for grant navigation, strategic planning
URBANA, Ill. — Sustainable development in Illinois encounters challenges in balancing resource demand with responsible management. Transitioning to sustainable infrastructure involves substantial investment and planning, including upgrading existing structures for energy efficiency and...

Shifting USDA plant hardiness map reflects changing climate, changes for plants
URBANA, Ill. — On a cold, blustery January day, it may be hard to remember that 2023 was the hottest year on record. But the newest update to the plant hardiness map, in which half the country shifted to warmer zones, is a stark reminder that the climate is changing and changing fast....

Explore green space stewardship practices, emerging trends at 2024 Gateway Green Conference
URBANA, Ill. — Evolving research and environmental changes make it more important than ever for professionals who work with trees, landscapes, natural areas, and parks to remain current with responsible stewardship practices, understand how to successfully manage emerging diseases and pests, and...

Scaling up urban agriculture: Research team outlines roadmap
URBANA, Ill. — Urban agriculture has the potential to decentralize food supplies, provide environmental benefits like wildlife habitat, and mitigate environmental footprints, but researchers have identified knowledge gaps regarding both the benefits and risks of urban agriculture and the...

Opportunity to learn practical money management strategies
URBANA, Ill. — Navigating financial management can often seem overwhelming and intimidating, particularly for those uncertain about how to begin. Studies have shown that financial stress can have detrimental effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, having access to practical...

Discuss beef cattle management at Dudley Smith Farm winter meeting
URBANA, Ill. — Discussions and decisions made during the winter months can impact managing a beef cattle operation all year. The Dudley Smith Winter Farm Meeting is a chance to come together to learn through the farm’s traditions, sustainable agriculture practices, and hands-on research...

Skin-deep resilience: Hidden physical health costs for minority youth overcoming adversity
URBANA, Ill. — When youth thrive despite difficult circumstances, they are usually lauded for their accomplishments. However, overcoming adversity may have a hidden physiological cost, especially for minority youth. A ...

Did you forget to water your plants? Try low-maintenance succulents
URBANA, Ill. — Liven up your home this winter by introducing carefree and cheery succulents. Succulents offer interesting shapes and colors with their unique fleshy, plump leaves. The best part is they are relatively simple to care for if you can provide ample light. A few easy-care...

Learn tips for a healthy pregnancy, toddler nutrition
URBANA, Ill. — The 1,000 days between a person's pregnancy and their child's second birthday offer a unique opportunity to build a healthier and more prosperous future, so knowing how to care for mother and baby during this period is vital. The University of Illinois Extension...