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

Illinois crop competition calls for youth scouting teams

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 issues. The…

a group of children stand at a table full of potted plants in a classroom

Plant positivity, learn how to grow a school or community garden

URBANA, Ill. — When green spaces fill schoolyards and neighborhoods with flowers and fresh produce, children and communities thrive. But the journey from the idea of starting a community or school-based garden to planting one that is built to last is long. What funding sources are available?…

Recent quarter-sized holes in the soil made by periodical cicadas

Enjoy the silence. Cicadas are coming

If you haven't heard the buzz, you will soon. Billions of periodical cicadas are coming, and University of Illinois Extension is sharing information to help track their moves before emergence.

“Historically speaking, 2024 is a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois,” says Ken…

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From hunt to plate, make a tasty dish of your wild game
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois hunters support the health of ecosystems, conservation efforts, and local economies. Successful hunts also provide lean, local protein for families and communities. University of Illinois Extension, in cooperation with...
Warmer temperatures rouse reptiles for spring migration
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois is world famous for its snakes. Every spring starting in March, Snake Road in the far southern reaches of the state closes to vehicles so migrating reptiles and amphibians can safely cross....
Gardening benefits body, mind, wallet
URBANA, Ill. — A continuously connected lifestyle can drain internal batteries quickly, but digging into the world outside may be the best way to rejuvenate, revitalize and recharge. “The gadgets of gardening aren’t flashy: a shovel, pruners, hoses and bags of seeds,” says...
Youth leaders ready to meet ag challenges today and tomorrow
URBANA, Ill. -- High school students developed the skills and knowledge needed to face challenges in agriculture both as teen leaders today and as future careers tomorrow at the recent National 4‑H Youth Summit on Agri-Science....
Youth come together to make their mark in the livestock industry
URBANA, Ill.— Illinois teens will gather to gain hands-on experience in the livestock field in this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference on April 24 and 25.  The theme of this year’s conference is “Making Your Mark,” highlighting the roles and skills that youth can take in shaping the...
Illinois youth learn skills to become healthy living changemakers
URBANA, Ill. – The past year has presented many challenges to people's physical, emotional, and mental health. Risk factors such as poverty, neglect, and violence can make the challenges more intense, and social isolation and uncertainty from COVID-19 may continue to negatively impact community...
Assortment of cool-season grasses add beauty to spring
URBANA, Ill. – In spring, cool-season grasses grasses play an important role in providing habitat and food sources as they emerge, grow, and flower. Learn to identify the wide variety of grasses in a free online webinar by University of Illinois Extension.  "Grass identification doesn't...
Environmental webinars explore owls, native shade gardens
URBANA, Ill. – Peer into the natural world during two University of Illinois Extension webinars. The free, online webinars explore ways humans can have positive impacts on the environment. The first webinar begins at 1 p.m. CDT on April 8. Extension Educator ...
Volunteers help youth feel welcomed, empowered in 4-H programming
URBANA, Ill. ­– Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports relies heavily on adult volunteers taking the lead in the various disciplines, ultimately making the county program successful. Registration is open for two statewide Shooting Sports Leader Certification sessions on June 5 and July 24. The...

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