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Root for your favorite native plant to help crown 2026 Rain Garden Rumble champion

February 25, 2026

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 – hosted by the Red Oak Rain Garden, University of…

Support food access for Illinoisians with ACES’ Orange & Blue Days

February 20, 2026

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 Orange & Blue Days, inviting community members, alumni, and friends to help the…

Explore techniques to take charge of chronic pain

February 17, 2026

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…

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June 10, 2024

Learn how to help others during an emergency with Mental Health First Aid training
URBANA, Ill. — One in five Americans has a mental illness, and depression and anxiety increased following the pandemic. Still, many are reluctant to seek help due to stigma or don't know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can...

a group of people stand in a circle in a field surrounded by trees listening to someone speak from the back of a truck

June 6, 2024

Growing Extension forestry team speaks for the trees
URBANA, Ill. — Oaks, elms, hickories, and other trees cover Illinois in a tapestry of forests and woodlands that shade homes and parks, shelter and feed wildlife, produce oxygen, and stabilize soil. Trees once covered more than a third of Illinois, but now that number is halved and disease,...

Vanilla ice cream sundae topped with strawberries, chocolate syrup, and crushed cicadas.

June 5, 2024

Consider adding periodical cicadas to summer list of favorite ice cream toppings
URBANA, Ill. — “That’s surprisingly delicious!” This is maybe not the phrase first expected to be heard when trying a once-in-a-lifetime lunch menu of cicada pesto pizza, cicada tempura bites with lime aioli, and, for dessert, cicada ice cream sundaes.This spring, a team of...

A group of people holding a sign that says: We are no longer a food desert

June 4, 2024

Illinois Extension's health equity project recognized at National Health Outcomes Conference
URBANA, Ill. — Picture a world where everyone enjoys equal access to optimal health, regardless of where they were born or their identity. Sadly, reality diverges from this ideal. Health disparities disproportionately impact many Illinois residents due to factors such as race, nationality, and...

A single green plant emerging from the sunlit soil.

May 31, 2024

Keep agriculture safety a priority with tips from Cultivating Caution webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Taking the extra time to plan safety precautions into daily routines can save a life when accidents occur, and they will. The agriculture industry is filled with risk, injury, and danger at about every turn. Cultivating Caution is a monthly webinar series that explores...

4-H campers enjoy water activities in row boat

May 28, 2024

4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello earns spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Summer Camps 2024
MONTICELLO, Ill. — 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello has recently been included in Newsweek's list of America's Best Summer Camps 2024, earning a full 5-star rating. This recognition is especially meaningful as the camp celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer, marking decades of dedication to...

Margarita Teran with another person receiving an award

May 24, 2024

Abriendo Caminos ‘Opening Pathways’: Pioneering Extension initiative receives nationwide recognition
URBANA, Ill. — In Illinois, a committed group of researchers and educators confronted a sobering truth: Latino children were experiencing notable health inequalities, especially evident in the high rates of childhood obesity. This concerning pattern not only jeopardized their current health but...

A farmer wearing a hearing aid while doing outdoor chores at a chicken coop.

May 23, 2024

Illinois AgrAbility provides assistive technology to farmers statewide
URBANA, Ill. — Stepping in to assist farmers through research, conversation, knowledge, and assistance devices is how Illinois AgrAbility continues to work alongside farmers across the state of Illinois. Together, the two work together to...

May 21, 2024

Discover strategies for addressing mental health challenges in the agricultural community
URBANA, Ill. — Mental health and substance use issues are widespread. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. In addition, over the past 20 years, an...

Person outside in the hot sun gardening while wiping forehead of sweat.

May 20, 2024

Recognizing heat-related warning signs for gardeners and landscapers
URBANA, Ill. — Landscaping and gardening are great physical exercises, and studies show they are good for emotional well-being. But those working outside must remain aware of the dangers associated with heat stress on their bodies. “When I was working as a landscaper, we had to sod a...

May 20, 2024

Local solutions to global challenges: Illinois 4-H tree planting program celebrates third year with 3,000 trees planted
URBANA, Ill. — Carbon neutrality and nutrient runoff are complex issues, but University of Illinois Extension 4-H specialist Curt Sinclair has a simple solution: plant trees.The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program...

May 17, 2024

USDA grants advance urban agriculture possibilities for Chicago farmers
URBANA, Ill. — The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Outreach Office and Illinois FSA Office, in cooperation...

Tie dye yellow and green background with Four Seasons Gardening text.

May 17, 2024

Spend summer days growing, supporting gardens with webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Get ready to spend summer days outdoors gardening, exploring, and enjoying the growing season by adding in Four Seasons Gardening webinars beginning June 11. University of...

A collection of small Asian longhorned ticks on a leaf

May 17, 2024

Report Asian longhorned ticks to help track invasive pest that threatens livestock
URBANA, Ill. — The invasive Asian longhorned tick, which can pose a health risk for humans, animals, and livestock, has been found in Illinois for the first time. Residents of west central Illinois are advised to watch out for and report sightings of this new pest. The Asian...

A sunset over flowering prairie plants on the edge of a field

May 15, 2024

Farmers share real-life experiences of using edge-of-field conservation practices
GALESBURG, Ill. — When it comes to farming, experience is often the best teacher. This June, producers can get answers to their questions about installing edge-of-field conservation practices by connecting with farmers who have first-hand knowledge at the Cultivating Conversations: How and Why...

Black Angus cow standing up close out in a pasture.

May 14, 2024

Explore how starting at the soil can strengthen production at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day
URBANA, Ill. — Soil health and quality play a significant role in the nutritional value of pastures and cover crops, determining grazing strategies and sustainability. Attending the University of Illinois Extension Dudley Smith Farm Field Day this...

Two men at a table inspect a red crayfish in a container

May 13, 2024

Illinois Conservation Police dive into preventing spread of aquatic invasive species
DECATUR, Ill. — A group of 150 Illinois Conservation Police Officers gathered in Decatur for a hands-on workshop on aquatic invasive species during their annual meeting this spring. Developed by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic invasive species team in...

A large oak tree behind blooming flowers

May 10, 2024

Rainfall management outreach, engagement expands with grant from American Water
URBANA, Ill. — It can be frustrating when a spring storm washes away new plants or when a summer drought leaves a garden wilting. Whether it’s too much or too little, University of Illinois Extension provides resources and examples for how to manage rainfall and what homeowners and communities...

A person holding out a large group of varied flowers and herbs

May 6, 2024

Add a dash of herbs to spice up floral bouquets
URBANA, Ill. — Cultivating a cut flower garden filled with favorites can be a fun family project that can become budget-friendly gifts for everyone. Adding herbs to a garden and bouquets will create a unique, personal touch to designs. Fresh herbs look and smell amazing and will be long-lasting...

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

May 3, 2024

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...

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Root for your favorite native plant to help crown 2026 Rain Garden Rumble champion

Support food access for Illinoisians with ACES’ Orange & Blue Days

Explore techniques to take charge of chronic pain

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