News releases

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...

Ida Mae Jackson’s 4-H legacy is honored by Foundation
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AgrAbility to provide tips for safe fall harvest
URBANA, Ill. – Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer an injury that results in lost work time. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health emphasizes the unique nature of farm life where family members share in...

After the storm: Repair and care for damaged trees
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Extension offers best gardening tips for fall season
URBANA, Ill. – As fall approaches, trees begin to change color, cold weather sweeps in, and garden prepping for winter begins.  A free three-part University of Illinois Extension online webinar series will help gardeners...

Safely store your extra fall produce with these Extension-endorsed tips
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Stay up to date on latest ag practices with online, on-demand CropFlix
URBANA, Ill. – Farming in Illinois is very different than it was even 50 years ago and so is how row crop producers stay up to date on the latest recommendations. For more than 100 years, local University of Illinois Extension agriculture experts have worked in person and in the field...

Latest conservation practices will highlight Southern Illinois Conservation Workshop
ULLIN, Ill. – Landowners hoping to gain greater understanding of valuable conservation practices can learn the latest recommendations from experts at the Southern Illinois Conservation Workshop. The workshop will be held begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at Shawnee Community College and run...