News Releases

Winter brings new opportunities for plant care
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4-H teens earn new state leadership roles
URBANA, Ill. – Six Illinois teens take on new statewide leadership roles as they join the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team Board through the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Program. The...

Make broadband access a reality for your community
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Restore wildlife, prepare for spring with winter Gardening in the Air series
URBANA, Ill. — As the cold weather sets in, it's time to move indoors. Learn how to take care of houseplants, protect wildlife, and prepare for spring gardening trends in Gardening in the Air, a webinar series offered by...

Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season
URBANA, Ill. – A long stretch of clear skies is great news for Illinois farmers who are busy clearing fields during the fall harvest. It also means they may be working long hours more days in a row, which can increase risks for burnout, injury, and stress. “Farmers are in the field a...

Make way for farmers on rural roads during fall harvest
​DECATUR, Ill. – Harvest season is here, and with it comes safety issues on rural roads. Whether operating farm machinery or a motor vehicle, adopt a “safety first” attitude when sharing roads. During the fall harvest, there are more slow-moving farm equipment on the roadways, creating...

Proper maintenance extends lifespan, saves money on garden tools
URBANA, Ill. – One of the pricier expenditures for home gardeners is quality hand tools. High quality tools will last longer, but this does mean the tools — whether shovels, rakes, pruners, or hand trowels — cost more. “Buy the best you can afford. Take care of your tools, and they will...

Fall is for feathered friends, fireplaces
URBANA, Ill. – Birdseed and firewood are two common topics that show up every fall. Both take some planning to be successful. “Feeding the birds means starting earlier than later,” says Richard Hentschel, University of...

Prevent your risk for diabetes before it’s too late
URBANA, Ill. — Six in ten people gained weight during the pandemic, according to an American Psychological Association study. The risk of developing pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes may increase with...

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,...