News releases

Funds available to districts to replace school buses
URBANA, Ill. – Federal funding is now available for replacing older dirty school buses with cleaner vehicles, including electric school buses. University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network are collaborating on a free online webinar...

Addressing inequities to create a vital STEM workforce in Illinois
URBANA, Ill – A collaborative effort between the University of Illinois School of Social Work and Illinois Extension is working to address social inequities that negatively impact the vitality of the...

Researchers: Farmers know tick risks; now is time to take preventative actions
URBANA, Ill. – Ticks, once limited to the northeast region of the United States, are making a westward migration across the U.S. and with them, tickborne diseases that cost the healthcare system up to $1.3 billion a year to treat. Exposure to ticks can happen anywhere - from backyards to parks...

Young farmers seek solutions to entry barriers
URBANA, Ill. – Young and beginning farmers face many challenges, including access to land, financial capital, technical knowledge and support, social networks, adequate labor, marketing experience, health insurance, and childcare. University of Illinois Extension is wading through the...

Grundy, Kankakee, Will Extension Unit welcomes new interim director, grateful to Megan Walsh for her service
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension offices in Grundy, Kankakee, & Will counties welcome new Interim County Director Michele Crawford who will lead the Unit until the hiring process can commence for a...

Local youth shadow civic leaders for Grundy County Government Day
MORRIS, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension 4-H held their annual Government Day on Wednesday.  Over 60 middle school students and over 30 government officials converged in Morris at the administration building, courthouse, and off-site to job shadow county officials and learn more...

IDOA continues emergency rule to protect poultry from highly pathogenic avian influenza
SPRINGFIELD, Ill - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois to prevent the...

Kankakee Extension Hosts IDOA Director, Senator Patrick Joyce, SIU Representatives For Press Conference On Farm Stress
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Study: Proposed nitrogen fertilizer policies could protect farmer profits, environment
URBANA, Ill. – Nitrogen fertilizer has major implications for crop yields and environmental health, specifically water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal and state governments have shied away from regulating nitrogen fertilizer use, but voluntary and incentives-based programs have not been...

Share rural roads safely during spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. – After a cold, wet spring Illinois farmers are racing to get their crops in the field. As large farm equipment moves along country roads, both farmers and those driving a vehicle should adopt a "safety first" attitude.  The 2022 spring planting season is...

Farmers battle clock, weeds in spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. – With a warm, dry stretch of weather, Illinois farmers are racing to get corn and soybean crops planted. University of Illinois Extension Weed Scientist Aaron Hager spoke with Media Communications Specialist...

Illinois teen leaders ready to tackle healthy living issues
Bethesda, MD. – Teen health leaders from across the country gathered at the National 4-H Summit for Healthy Living April 21-24 to focus on learning about and solving healthy living issues...

Grundy, Kankakee, & Will county youth learn public-speaking skills that last a lifetime
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Representing Grundy, Kankakee, & Will Counties, 7 youth competed to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State...

Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – You may not know what an invasive species is, but you've likely heard about them and the price tags they can carry. The estimated cost of managing the damages caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer or Asian carp is $120 billion annually in the U.S. ...

Wheat tour highlights yields, disease strategies
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Wheat variety and seed treatment trials will highlight the 2022 Southern Illinois Wheat Tour sponsored by the Illinois Wheat Association. The May 24 tour will give Illinois wheat growers an opportunity to tour wheat fields and estimate yields for the 2021/22...

Bat box design, placement matter for energy balance in endangered bats
URBANA, Ill. – Imagine if you had to catch every bite of your dinner with your mouth, while flying, in the dark. You’d be exhausted, and probably pretty hungry. Though some bats go for sedentary insects, most catch their food on the wing every single night. Let that sink in. Because they...

Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
URBANA, Ill. – Avian flu cases are on the rise in the Midwest. From canceled poultry shows to advising homeowners to remove bird feeders, Illinois is urging those who come into contact with birds to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a...

Find Your Spark During Spring Break with 4-H Grundy County
MORRIS, Ill. – Learning by doing and trying new things is a great way to engage and excite young learners.  University of Illinois Extension invites youth to participate in the upcoming Spring Break with 4-H program. The Spring Break program will spark youth interest in a wide...

Illinois Extension celebrates local outstanding programs, staff
Written by Judy Mae Bingman (edited by Shannon Range for local Extension staff) January 23, 2022 URBANA, Ill. – Across the state, local University of Illinois Extension staff...

Illinois Extension celebrates outstanding programs, staff
URBANA, Ill. – Across the state, local University of Illinois Extension staff members help families, businesses, and communities identify local issues and potential solutions to those issues. Extension professionals use research-based knowledge and translate that knowledge into actions and...