News releases

Small bug, big risk: Protect yourself from ticks this summer
URBANA, Ill. — When venturing in the woods this summer, don’t forget to protect yourself from a small, but dangerous creature likely lurking in trees, grass, and bushes. Ticks are easy to pick up when visiting grassy areas, woods, prairies, wetlands, deer trails, and brushy...

Blistering heat, high humidity puts us at risk
URBANA, Ill. – June has been hot and muggy. Regardless what the thermometer reads, it just feels hotter. Feels-like temperatures are calculated using the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and an understanding of how the human body responds to heat and cold. ...

Teens find their voices in youth leadership role
Urbana, Ill. – Five Illinois teens have a new way to make their voices heard on a statewide platform through the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team. The team is comprised of 20 4-...

To water or not to water? Classic debate over summer lawn care begins
...

Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
URBANA, Ill. – After a long winter, Illinois gardeners are eager for the new growing season. While doing the usual preparations and tasks, home gardeners should be aware of an invasive species wriggling across the Midwest – the jumping worm. Jumping worms are non-native earthworms that...

New crop scouting competition tests student field skills
URBANA, Ill. – In a corn or soybean field, knowing how crops are progressing or being able to identify an insect can mean the difference between a profitable harvest and a bad year. The first-ever Illinois Crop Scouting Competition is a one-day on-campus contest in August that tests...

Youth make their mark in the livestock industry
URBANA, Ill.— Illinois teens gained hands-on experience in the livestock field in this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference in April.  Youth were able to practice real-world skills in one of...

Garden smarter, not harder: Free online Four Seasons Gardening series open
URBANA, Ill. – The growing season is in full swing and University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening summer series starting in June is here to help home gardeners be successful. Four Seasons Gardening is one of Illinois...

Community initiatives combat outmigration of young talent in rural areas
URBANA, Ill. ­­– In 2018, 86 of Illinois’ 102 counties experienced population decline, and almost every rural county in Illinois has experienced outmigration of its youngest and brightest talent. “Outmigration of young adults impacts so many areas of the community, including school...

Midwestern farmers, ranchers can find tools to thrive with new resource center
URBANA, Ill. – Farm life can be stressful. Most pressures, such as weather, illness, injuries, loans, and regulations, are constant and uncontrollable. Now, Midwestern farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers have direct access to a new tool to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, or...

Deployments bring changes, challenges, opportunities
URBANA, Ill. – Military families still experience deployments, though not by the massive numbers they experienced between 2009-2013. Many of these families deal with the effects of injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder. ...

New dairy cattle nutrition, management may improve production, profit
ST CLOUD, Minn. — The dairy industry fuels the U.S. economy, supporting nearly 3 million jobs directly and another 2 million jobs in related industries, according to the U.S. Dairy Export...

Save baby wildlife by stepping back; rescues rarely needed
...

As boomer populations retire, communities can foster age-friendly opportunities
URBANA, Ill. ­­– By 2030, AARP estimates one in five people will be 65 or older, with that number growing to 77 million by 2034. Local government and community leaders hoping to attract this large population can...

Heirloom flowers provide fragrance, beauty, pollinator support 
URBANA, Ill. Spring brings thoughts of beautiful, colorful, fragrant blooms that brighten landscapes after a long winter.  But while many anticipate the arrival of the first flowers, pollinators, too, are on the lookout. Heirloom flowers provide them...

Opportunity Zones bring tax breaks to investors, develop underserved communities
URBANA, Ill. – Economically-distressed census tracts, designated as Opportunity Zones under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, provide an incentivized avenue for taxpayers to contribute to long-term economic growth in underserved areas. The state of Illinois designated 327 tracts, the...

What’s in a name? Non-native species not the same as invasives
...

Researchers call on backyard scientists to help save pollinators
...

Keep yourself, loved ones safe from invisible electrical dangers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Every year, 1,000 people die, and 30,000 people are injured in electrical accidents. While electricity typically transmits without incident, there are times when the electrical path becomes disrupted. When this happens, the current can flow through anything or anyone in its...

Planning, designing a native garden
URBANA, Ill. – Those who love gardening, wildflowers, or who are tired of mowing expansive lawns should consider creating a native plant garden. Gemini Bhalsod, a horticulture educator with...