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Illinois Extension Crop Management Conference equips agriculturalists for upcoming growing season

February 3, 2026

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 Management Conference allows more time to plan and strategize with the resources most…

Genes from corn's wild ancestor change soil microbial community, improve sustainability

February 3, 2026

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 of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The advancement marks the first time corn’s genetic makeup has been…

New Focus on the Future meetings to help Illinois agriculture community build, sustain farm legacy

February 2, 2026

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 partnering on a series to help farmers and landowners build, sustain, and share their farm’s…

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A stack of recently smashed pumpkins piled in a dumpster to be hauled off for compost

October 13, 2025

Recycle pumpkins with a smash at Illinois Extension fall community composting events
URBANA, Ill. — Whether picking out pumpkins from a field or carving fun faces for jack-o'-lanterns with friends, pumpkins naturally give off fall vibes. But what happens when they start to decay on the porch or countertop, and it’s time to say goodbye? Where do they go? Many think...

attendees listen to speaker at stormwater conference

October 7, 2025

Stormwater Leadership Summit unites Northern Illinois communities in search for regional solutions
GLENCOE, Ill. — On Sept. 25, more than 100 community leaders, engineers, planners, and stormwater experts gathered at the Chicago Botanic Garden for the first-of-its-kind Stormwater Leadership Summit to address one of Illinois' most pressing...

Children and adults looking at a row of jack-o'-lanterns lining the border of the Red Oak Rain Garden.

October 6, 2025

Nature’s canvas highlighted in autumnal celebration, art exhibit at the Red Oak Rain Garden
URBANA, Ill. — When the sun sets late in October, something whimsical this way comes to the Red Oak Rain Garden. The “Illuminating Art in Nature” exhibit will return to the University of Illinois Urbana-...

A black angus bull side view pose outdoors for sale catalog listing style

October 3, 2025

Start selecting 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Sale bulls
URBANA, Ill. — Seedstock breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The IPT Bull Sale is the leadoff event for the annual Illinois Beef Expo in...

A group of people watch a training on using tools outdoors

October 1, 2025

Online and on the ground, new program empowers Illinois communities to tackle invasive species
URBANA, Ill. — When is the best time to remove invasive amur bush honeysuckle? Is it better to mow an invasion of teasel or treat it with an herbicide? What is the best way to get rid of tree of heaven?...

September 30, 2025

Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...

September 30, 2025

Hunters Feeding Illinois returns
URBANA, Ill. — Hunters Feeding Illinois returns for its fourth season, in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, ...

A group of people in front of the morrow plots

September 29, 2025

Bayer gift launches Morrow Plots revitalization for 150th anniversary
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced a gift from Bayer’s Crop Science...

Far off view of two people digging with shovels to plant trees in a park setting

September 23, 2025

Explore impact of local trees at Illinois Extension fall tree planting workshops
URBANA, Ill. — Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to have improved air quality, reduced stress, and added personal comfort for surrounding residents, nature, and wildlife. “As we all have recently felt, Midwest summers are hot, and trees are a crucial part of our...

View looking over the top of an engorged Asian longhorned tick in liquid

September 19, 2025

Asian longhorned ticks on the move, new detection found in Clay County
URBANA, Ill. — The invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was recently detected in a new county in Illinois, representing the third county in which it has been found following its ...

A person in safety gear stands near a fire in a grassland

September 17, 2025

National Science Foundation invests in U. of I. ACES-led project to reduce grassland fire risk
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced new funding to understand and reduce grassland fire risk in the Southern Great Plains. The five-year project is being led by grassland fire expert...

Master Gardeners looking at landscape simulation technology

September 16, 2025

2025 Master Gardener Conference celebrates 50 years of growth, connection  
URBANA, Ill. — Some moments of legacy are written down, others branch off the page beneath the canopy of a shady tree, in the scent of fresh herbs rubbed between fingertips, through butterfly-sculpted glass...

September 15, 2025

Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...

September 9, 2025

Clues about vanishing whip-poor-wills uncovered at birds’ wintering grounds
URBANA, Ill. — Often heard and rarely seen, the Eastern Whip-poor-will and its namesake nighttime call is an iconic Midwestern woodland bird. But like many other insect-eating birds, its numbers are declining....

Darci Webber showing off a birds nest in a woodland

September 8, 2025

Sustaining a healthy world starts in your backyard
From your backyard to the global ecosystem, everything in nature is connected. A core University of Illinois Extension program area —...

September 5, 2025

Celebrate food safety month by exploring Extension resources
URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing...

water flowing into a round stormwater grate

August 27, 2025

Illinois Extension to host inaugural Stormwater Leadership Summit
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois communities are facing more stormwater challenges due to larger storm events creating water quantity issues, infrastructure mitigation needs, and a lack of resources protecting water quality for all communities. To address this, University of Illinois Extension is...

August 25, 2025

Webinar series equips caregivers to manage diabetes in adults with disabilities
URBANA, Ill. — Adults with disabilities face significantly higher rates of diabetes, with prevalence climbing from 5.8% among those without disabilities to 18.3% among those with moderate to severe disabilities, according to the...

College of ACES and Extension staff chat with visitors to the 2023 Farm Progress Show.

August 25, 2025

lllinois experts offer panels, interactive exhibits, meet-and-greets at Farm Progress Show
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will showcase groundbreaking research, hands-on demonstrations, and expert-led discussions at the 2025 Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Visitors to the...

A group of youth analyzing and identifying questions about a field plant as part of a contest.

August 21, 2025

Illinois Extension youth crop scouting competition grows interest in agricultural careers
URBANA, Ill. — “You can be a doctor in agriculture or an engineer; there are so many things you can do in agriculture,” says Doug Gucker, local food systems and small farms educator with ...

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Illinois Extension Crop Management Conference equips agriculturalists for upcoming growing season

Genes from corn's wild ancestor change soil microbial community, improve sustainability

New Focus on the Future meetings to help Illinois agriculture community build, sustain farm legacy

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