News

News Spotlight

Novel Illinois weed species, Asian copperleaf, identified in northern Illinois

May 6, 2026

URBANA, Ill. — Corn and soybean farmers should be scouting for a new weed this upcoming growing season. According to University of Illinois crop experts, Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) was identified in a field in Stephenson County in northern Illinois following corn harvest last…

Find solutions for managing plant pests with hands-on training in Introduction to Invasive Species Management course

May 5, 2026

URBANA, Ill. — When it comes to managing invasive plants, having hands-on experience can be the difference between stopping an invasion before it takes hold and watching a single species overrun a forest. This summer, learn how to manage invasive plants in…

Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference builds confidence, leadership skills in young teens

May 4, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nearly 90 seventh and eighth-grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2026 4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC) held March 7-8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. This event is planned and hosted by the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team.…

More News

News

By topic

Overhead side view of bin set up at U of I Feed Technology Center in Urbana

March 2, 2026

See safety in action at Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week Kickoff event in Urbana
URBANA, Ill. — What began as an idea from agricultural industry groups to help ensure safety in the workplace has now become a nationwide movement. Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week takes place March 30 through April 6, and the 2026 Illinois kickoff...

A fancy room filled with people sitting in rows of chairs with an auctioneer taking bids up front at an auction

February 27, 2026

2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale returns record-high results
URBANA, Ill. — Strong results continue at the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale held on Feb. 19 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The sale averaged $7,284 on 37 lots, setting an all-time record high average for the sale."The...

February 26, 2026

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign receives 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.— University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been awarded the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a national distinction that recognizes higher education institutions demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to community engagement. Illinois previously received...

A side-by-side recreation of people 150 years apart posing the same at the Morrow Plots

February 26, 2026

ACES marks 150 years of the Morrow Plots, our nation's oldest research field
URBANA, Ill. — A lot has changed on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus since its founding in 1867, but a storied plot of land near the south quad has been preserved nearly intact for a century and a half....

A group of people in an office environment

February 26, 2026

Illinois Extension supports rural communities with a business transition plans series
URBANA, Ill. — Across the United States, many small-business owners are approaching retirement without a clear plan for what comes next. Although these entrepreneurs have spent decades building companies that support local jobs and services, many are unaware of succession options beyond...

Native plant illustrations on a yellow background with the text "Rain Garden Rumble"

February 25, 2026

Root for your favorite native plant to help crown 2026 Rain Garden Rumble champion
URBANA, Ill. — Let the garden games begin with the return of the annual Rain Garden Rumble, where nature and gardening enthusiasts get to pick the champion in this native-plant-playoff. This botanical bout —...

February 20, 2026

Support food access for Illinoisians with ACES’ Orange & Blue Days
URBANA, Ill. — This spring, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will participate in a campuswide crowdfunding initiative known as...

4-H members make crafts during an activity.

February 17, 2026

From students to leaders: 4-H Teen Teachers program inspires the next generation
ULLIN, Ill. — 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, empowering nearly 6 million young people with the skills to go beyond the expected. To be Beyond Ready. Students who want to build leadership skills, strengthen communication, and serve as positive role models in...

February 17, 2026

Explore techniques to take charge of chronic pain
URBANA, Ill. — Pain is one of the body’s most important warning systems, signaling when something needs care or attention. But when pain becomes persistent, it can interfere with daily routines, limit mobility, and affect emotional well-being. In the United States, chronic pain affects more than...

A couple forming a heart with their hands

February 16, 2026

Confidence in your relationship can improve individual well-being
URBANA, Ill. — When couples attend relationship counseling, it benefits not only their partnership but also their individual well-being. But which aspects of the training are most influential in this respect? A new study from...

A close up of an orange frog on damp soil

February 12, 2026

Where’d you get that frog? Illinois study traces illicit online amphibian trade
URBANA, Ill. — Keeping amphibians as pets offers hobbyists an opportunity to connect with the non-human world, often increasing interest in conserving animals in the wild. But there’s a dark side to the amphibian trade, according to a...

Extension Forester Chris Evans shows off homemade maple syrup at a workshop.

February 12, 2026

Maple syrup workshop continues sweet tradition with tenth-annual event
SIMPSON, Ill. — Each February, local participants brave the cold to learn more about maple syrup production at an annual workshop at Dixon Springs Ag Center. The event is a fun day for the entire family, with a 4-H fundraiser pancake breakfast to start the morning and hands-on activities for...

A family of three stand in a farm field overlooking a sunset

February 11, 2026

Illinois Extension offers support for farmers experiencing economic stress
URBANA, Ill. — As farmers across the state face mounting economic pressures, University of Illinois Extension reminds agricultural producers, advisers, and families that free help is available wherever you are.Assistance resources range...

A man leans on a tool outside by a tree surrounded by a group of people

February 11, 2026

Extension foresters protect trees, empower landowners
URBANA, Ill. — As the saying goes, the hope is that trees will “bloom where they’re planted.” Still, sometimes even these plant powerhouses need help overcoming challenges like invasive species, urban...

February 9, 2026

New series connects communities with experts to strengthen public health knowledge
URBANA, Ill. — Technology has made health information more accessible than ever, but inaccurate and misleading online content poses serious public health risks. To address this challenge, educators, researchers, and community partners are working together to promote accurate, science-based...

Woman showing two young kids and their mother some gardening information in a greenhouse.

February 5, 2026

Dig into spring gardening with confidence at local gardening programs
URBANA, Ill. — Gardening is an ever-evolving journey, and each growing season brings fresh experiences and strategies for both new and veteran gardeners. This spring, learn more gardening techniques and grow...

A child puts batteries into a glass container with other batteries

February 5, 2026

Know before you throw, new law expands free battery recycling options
URBANA, Ill. — After years of powering remotes, children’s toys, and other household devices, the final destination for used batteries is usually the junk drawer. Or worse, it is tossed in the trash can. Now,...

Green corn leaves and stalks growing in a field on a sunny, blue sky day

February 3, 2026

Illinois Extension Crop Management Conference equips agriculturalists for upcoming growing season
URBANA, Ill. — How individuals strategize their next farming season can differ from one farmer, landowner, producer, or industry professional to the next. University of Illinois Extension’s online-only Crop...

February 3, 2026

Genes from corn's wild ancestor change soil microbial community, improve sustainability
URBANA, Ill. — Corn bred with genes from wild relatives can reshape soil microbial communities and reduce nitrogen loss — with no yield reduction — according to new research from the University...

A person kneels down to check soybean plant progress in a field

February 2, 2026

New Focus on the Future meetings to help Illinois agriculture community build, sustain farm legacy
URBANA, Ill. — Every farm has an individual story to tell, and it is up to the generations of farmers living it to tell the tale. In 2026, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau are...

News

Novel Illinois weed species, Asian copperleaf, identified in northern Illinois

Find solutions for managing plant pests with hands-on training in Introduction to Invasive Species Management course

Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference builds confidence, leadership skills in young teens

News

Find local programs