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Person driving a tractor without a cab on a rural road.

Level up safety first thinking during the spring planting season

URBANA, Ill. — Current spring weather conditions have a lot of tractors parked for now, but when the weather clears and fields dry, it will be a fast-paced season for planting 2024 statewide.

Although another Midwest farming season may seem routine, the agriculture industry is highly…

Brodie Dunn in a forest

Extension’s dedication to environment grows with new campus natural resources expert

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The wild spaces of Illinois are smaller than what they once were, but the forests and prairies that remain are vital for wildlife and the ecosystem services they provide. Across the state, University of Illinois Extension’s network of natural resource experts connects…

Youth teams standing at a crop scouting station discussing plants with a researcher.

Illinois crop competition calls for youth scouting teams

URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois Youth Crop Scouting Competition is not just any competition. It is a unique opportunity for agriculture students to showcase skills and knowledge while working on a team competing for a prize. The team works together to explore and help solve today’s crop-related…

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4-H logo
Illinois 4-H staff honored with national service awards
MADISON, Wis. – Three University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development staff recently received national recognition from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP). Amy Henschen, Shelby Carlson, and Myla...
Eastern (top) and Western (bottom) Banded Killifish. The Eastern subspecies may be edging out the Western fish in its native range.
Illinois report says native fish overlooked as invaders in U.S. waters
URBANA, Ill. – Rivers split across mountaintops and other geographic barriers may flow only a few miles from one another, but to the aquatic creatures in those waters, the separation could represent millions of years of evolutionary time. So, when an angler or a curious child moves a fish from...
young people looking at book
Teens take on new challenges as statewide healthy living ambassadors
URBANA, Ill. – Nine Illinois teens stand ready to take on new challenges as they begin their work on the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador (HLA) team. The HLA team is comprised of 4-H members ages 13-19 who were chosen for their ability to lead, mentor, and teach in order to inspire others...
apples
No matter how you slice them, apples are a fall favorite
URBANA, Ill. – Brisk, fall weather brings crowds of Illinoisans to apple orchards to enjoy the crisp, juicy flavor of their favorite in-season apples.  “Whether fried, dipped in peanut butter or caramel, made into cider, or baked into a pie, apples are a delicious, sweet treat,” says...
garden tools
To get in touch with nature, create a sensory garden
URBANA, Ill. – For centuries, gardens have provided a unique bridge between humans and the natural world. Gardens were viewed by many cultures as a “reflection of heaven on earth.” Today, most gardens are considered landscape projects. But sensory gardens, with their engaging sights, sounds,...
hands holding heart
New project to boost youth health data literacy skills
URBANA, Ill. – A project to increase the health data literacy of youth has received funding through the University’s Extension Collaboration Grant Program. Assistant professor Rachel M. Magee will lead the project, "Health Data Literacy Ambassadors," with associate professors Catherine Blake and...
empty college classroom
2022 ACES Funk Awards recipients recognized
URBANA, Ill. – Each year the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences recognizes faculty, staff, and graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements or exceptional service to the college. The awards program was established in 1970 by the Paul A. Funk...
digging up invasive plants
Best way to estimate costs for invasive plant removal? Get out and dig
URBANA, Ill. – Plants are designed to travel. They might not stand up and walk, but many plants produce seeds or other bits that can be carried long distances by wind or animals and start growing. While that might be great news for the plant, escapes like these can disrupt natural ecosystems and...
winning rifle club
Team attitudes prevail at youth rifle competition
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H rifle shooters from Illinois gathered to compete in small bore rifle and air rifle competition at the 2022 4-H State Rifle Shoot held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters on Oct. 8. The rifle shooting sports discipline involves both precision...
bowl of healthy fruit
Improve well-being, health with 5 life lessons
URBANA, Ill. – Continued learning through all stages of life helps us to thrive physically, mentally, and financially. No matter your age, learn valuable life lessons in five monthly workshops which continue a tradition of supporting Illinois residents and communities with relevant and easy-to-...
loufa
Find gourds absorbing? Try growing a loofah sponge
URBANA, Ill. – Gardens can grow a variety of surprising things, but one item you wouldn’t expect to find growing next to beans and tomatoes is a loofah sponge. Still, one member of the Cucurbitaceae family does just that. While most people think a loofah sponge comes from the ocean or at...
bull
Nominate bulls for 2023 IPT Bull Sale
URBANA, Ill. – Breeders must nominate bulls by Dec. 1 for consideration to the 2023 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The sale will be Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield and includes old and young bulls. Young bulls must have calved between Jan. 1, 2021 and...

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