News releases

Dig in with confidence with spring vegetable gardening workshops
URBANA, Ill. — Growing a vegetable garden takes work, but sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. Grow with confidence this spring with Growing Great Vegetables, a five-week webinar series from University of Illinois Extension that explores everything from seeds and soil to a...

Illinois continues work to improve waterways by reducing nutrient pollution
URBANA, Ill. — The loss of nutrients into Illinois’ lakes, streams, and rivers harms water quality here and downstream all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, NLRS, was established in 2015 and is designed to reduce nutrient pollution in Illinois’...

New Funding, New Brand: I-Regen
URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (IRAI) marks the successful completion of its first three years with a new name: I-Regen. The name change reflects an ongoing...

Getting agriculture carbon market questions answered
URBANA, Ill. — When looking to adopt new agricultural practices, it is helpful to hear about experiences from neighbors and locate resources to answer questions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Extension, and ...

Extension’s Growing Together Illinois program honored as part of national team award
URBANA, Ill. — Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture,...

December program highlights Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois soils tell both a story and reveal a history of how soils have changed over the centuries. To understand more, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign needs help from residents and landowners. During a free program, ...

Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield
URBANA, Ill. — A promising new form of ammonium phosphate fertilizer has been field-tested by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers. The fertilizer, struvite, offers ...

4-H youth showcase agricultural excellence at national competition
Louisville, Ky. — 4-H youth headed to the North American International Livestock Exposition to compete in educational contests held as a part of the exposition held Nov. 2-16 in Louisville. The expo drew more than 27,000 livestock entries from...

Forget food waste, Chicagoland learns about the power of composting
URBANA, Ill. — Through its “Creating a Culture of Composting in Greater Chicagoland” initiative, University of Illinois Extension in Cook County is committed to making composting...

Illinois Extension adds to agriculture conversation at Greater Peoria Farm Show
PEORIA, Ill. — Wrap up harvest season by visiting with agriculture specialists from University of Illinois Extension at the Greater Peoria Farm Show, Nov. 28-30. Extension is excited to be a part of Illinois’ largest indoor...

Sustainable, functionally designed garden receives gifts to perpetuate impact
URBANA, Ill. — Nestled in the pedestrian walkways leading from Illini Grove to the larger University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Illinois Extension’s 10,000-square-foot Red Oak Rain Garden is an inviting demonstration site that first began to...

Illinois 4-H teams make history in Louisville
Louisville, Ky. -- Illinois 4-H had a record-breaking day at the North American International Livestock Exposition. For the first time ever, Illinois 4-H won the National 4-H Quiz Bowl. For the second year in a row, Illinois 4-H won the National 4-H...

4-H members ignite their future leadership path
Decatur, Ill.-- Over 100 seventh and eighth grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2023 space-themed 4-H Junior Leadership Conference held Nov. 4-5 at the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center in Decatur. “This event helps youth from all over Illinois gain a new...

Protect your pets: Keep paws off overwintering indoor plants
URBANA, Ill. — As winter settles in, many plants and houseplants that were growing outdoors have returned inside. Before bringing in your plants, consider animal companions, such as dogs and cats, because some plants can make them sick if ingested. Knowing what plants you have and how they...

Illinois Extension offers stakeholder town hall on December 5 to share strategic planning process updates
URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Extension began a bold, strategic planning process in the spring of 2023 in collaboration with Huron...

Experienced Illinois Extension educator will lead efforts in Livingston, McLean, and Woodford counties
URBANA, Ill. — Newly named Illinois Extension County Director Katie Buckley is motivated to create an impact in Livingston, McLean, and Woodford counties across all five of Illinois Extension’s grand challenges: community, economy,...

Youth livestock skillathon showcases future leaders of ag
Urbana, Ill. — Seventy 4-H youth participated in the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon held in the Stock Pavilion on University of Illinois campus on Nov. 4. Participants went through the contest and then participated in a learning workshop to better prepare for next year’s contests in the summer...

Kankakee County 4-H Celebrates Outstanding Achievements at Awards Night
BOURBONNAIS, Ill – Youth from across Kankakee County came together on Sunday at the county fairgrounds for a night of celebration and recognition at the Kankakee County 4-H Awards Night. The event was an opportunity to honor the hard work, dedication, and commitment that define the 4-H program...

Young marksmen aim for excellence
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H rifle shooters from Illinois gathered to compete in small bore rifle and air rifle competition at the 2023 4-H State Rifle Shoot held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters on Oct. 8. The rifle shooting sports discipline involves both precision...

Illinois Extension educators recognized for outstanding contributions by professional organization
URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension was represented by 20 Illinois Extension Agricultural Association members and two life members at the National Association of County Agricultural...