Learn how to protect public health with non-restaurant food safety training
URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois. The Illinois Food Handler Training course equips...
Submit photos that capture resilient spirit of Illinois agriculture
URBANA, Ill. — Have a farm photo that brings a smile every time it is shared? Inspire others and create more smiles by having that photo be part of the 2026 Seasons of Strength calendar from North Central Farm and Ranch Stress...
A century of data reveals declining forest diversity
URBANA, Ill. — Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have analyzed 96 years of forest census data to better understand ecological changes and inform management practices. Their study...
Illinois expert on keeping outdoor workers safe in excessive heat
URBANA, Ill. — Another round of excessive heat is on the way through much of the United States next week, with heat indices predicted to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more in many locations. Salah Issa, an...
Keep animals safe and healthy during excessive heat
URBANA, Ill. — Excessive heat will once again blast much of the United States next week, with heat indices predicted to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more in many locations. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign animal welfare expert...
Biologicals vs. biostimulants: Illinois study clarifies crop input confusion
URBANA, Ill. — Every time Fred Below and Connor Sible meet with Illinois farmers, they get the same question. “What’s the story with these biologicals? Do they work?” The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign crop scientists and...
Discover tools to help caregivers manage aging-related demands
URBANA, Ill. — Caregivers in long-term care settings face growing challenges as they support aging populations with complex physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. From managing dementia-related behaviors to addressing social isolation and limited resources, the challenges can be...
Illinois plant ecologists fight to restore Midwest biodiversity
URBANA, Ill. — Imagine a prairie. How many plant species do you see? Maybe you’re picturing yellow coneflowers, some little bluestem, perhaps a few asters. But plant ecologists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign say these ecosystems are much more...
Don’t be stumped by tree problems
URBANA, Ill. — In urban settings like parks and yards, numerous challenges threaten tree health and longevity. Environmental or abiotic stressors are often the culprit, and as a tree’s health declines, it will become more susceptible to living or biotic organisms like pests or disease....
New land grant research detects dicamba damage from the sky
URBANA, Ill — Drones can now detect subtle soybean canopy damage from dicamba at one ten-thousandth of the herbicide’s label rate — simulating vapor drift — eight days after application. This advancement in remote sensing from the University of Illinois...
Learn practical strategies to minimize contamination, improve produce safety
URBANA, Ill. — Contamination in wash and pack areas remains one of the leading causes of foodborne illness outbreaks in fresh produce. Without proper handling and sanitation practices, even the most carefully grown crops can pose a serious health risk to consumers and a financial risk to...
Youth showcase poultry knowledge and skills at state contest
Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2025 Illinois 4-H Poultry Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus on Jun. 25. This state contest provides youth with hands-on experience in evaluating...
Include Farm Animals in Disaster Preparedness Plan
URBANA — When tornado sirens become frequent and sudden storms appear out of thin air, it becomes apparent there is a need for a disaster preparedness plan for farmers and large animal owners alike. What happens when disaster strikes and a herd of cattle are grazing pasture?Dr. Yvette...
Ribbon cutting celebrates opening of new glass recycling bin in Macomb
MACOMB, Ill. — Years of planning, partnership, and community input came full circle this June as a ribbon cutting celebrated the opening of a dedicated glass recycling bin in Macomb. Guided by experts from University of Illinois Extension, this sustainability initiative responds directly to...
Learn how to manage invasive species online and in the field with statewide hybrid course
URBANA, Ill. — From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in Introduction to Invasive Species Management, a two-day hybrid program led by University of Illinois Extension educators...
Competition heats up in youth fishing tournament
Champaign, Ill.– The Illinois 4-H Hooks Us Together Statewide Fishing Tournament has posted it second round of leaderboard results and continues through July 31, 2025. Youth from across the state are casting their lines and competing in this fun, summer-long challenge...
How 4-H shaped a lifetime of service for Bea Bagby
URBANA, Ill. — For Beatrice H. Bagby, known to most as Bea, 4-H wasn’t just a club. It was a lifeline. A spark. A community. And ultimately, a calling.Bea found Illinois 4-H in the wake of unimaginable grief. In May 1946, her mother...
Corn after soy: New study quantifies rotation benefits and trade-offs
URBANA — While the majority of Midwestern farmers rotate corn and soybeans, commodity prices and corn yield advantages compel some to plant corn year after year. Although foundational research on the benefits of corn-soybean rotation goes back decades, University...
Future agricultural leaders shine at 2025 Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2025 State Livestock Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus Jun. 16. Instead of leading animals, these young members acted as judges, evaluating groupings of cattle,...
High impact University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed programs face elimination
URBANA, Ill. — There are many barriers Illinois residents face in making healthy choices. For over 30 years, University of Illinois Extension’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) programs have helped people stretch their food dollars while increasing their nutrition...
