Enhance your container garden with the Rooted in Nature workshop
Native plants offer a variety of benefits for our gardens—from supporting the local ecosystem to thriving in the regional climate and providing essential food and habitat for wildlife and beneficial insects. While many gardeners have already begun incorporating these natural beauties into their...
Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge pressure canner testing for home canners
URBANA, Ill. — With summer gardens gearing up, it’s time to take canning equipment out of storage. Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge pressure canner testing to ensure the equipment works accurately.A variety of foods can be canned at home through boiling water bath canning and...
Farm Family Foods and Illinois Extension to Host Shiitake Log Inoculation Workshop
Did you know that the shiitake mushroom is the second most popular mushroom in the world? In fact, shiitake mushroom production accounts for more than 25% of total global mushroom production annually. Although it is native to East Asian countries like China and Japan, they can also...
Welcome summer with the Master Naturalists’ outdoor education opportunities at COMLARA
Bloomington Ill. – The trees are starting to bloom, and the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists are eager to be back in nature, enjoying the warm weather again and sharing their knowledge about the great outdoors. This summer, Master Naturalists are continuing to expand...
Jenna Smith named 2025 winner of McLean County Public Health Award
Bloomington, IL – Jenna Smith, a Nutrition and Wellness Educator at the U of I Extension Office in Bloomington, has been named the winner of the 2025 McLean County Public Health Award. Smith was presented with the award on April 9th at an awards ceremony at McLean County Health...
National leadership summit ignites teen career readiness, skills
Washington, D.C. – Twenty-six teen leaders from across Illinois were chosen to represent Illinois 4-H at the Ignite by 4-H Summit, taking place March 13-17 in Washington, D.C.The Ignite by 4-H Summit is a four-day...
Owls of Illinois programming continues to grow
Livingston County is home to small towns with strong community ties, as well as hidden treasures owned by the Prairie Lands Foundation. The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists, in partnership with the Prairie Lands Foundation, strives to help the community experience the beauty...
Commerce Parkway Closure and Access to University of Illinois Extension Office
Bloomington, Ill. — The City of Bloomington announces the partial closure of Commerce Parkway, which will impact access to the University of Illinois Extension Office at 1615 Commerce Parkway.Closure Details:Start Date: Monday, March 10,...
Understanding poverty through immersive simulation
PONTIAC, Ill. – According to data from the United States Census Bureau, 11.1% of the population in Livingston County is living in poverty. Poverty is not just a concept—it’s a daily reality for many. True understanding requires more than empathy; it demands firsthand experience....
ACES experts provide testimony in support of USDA funding, Farm Bill
URBANA, Ill. — Yesterday, faculty from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign spoke as invited witnesses to an Illinois House Agriculture and...
Marvel the total lunar eclipse with Star Lab
Bloomington, Ill. – A total lunar eclipse is a spectacular celestial event that occurs every few years. During a lunar eclipse, the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned, and the Earth prevents the sun’s light from reaching the moon. As a result, the moon takes on a reddish hue. To get excited for...
From one to many: A beginner's guide to plant propagation
URBANA, Ill. — Many indoor gardeners quickly discover that one houseplant is rarely enough. What begins as an admiration for a charming or unique plant often evolves into a strong desire, or even a need, to fill every corner of a home or office with lush greenery. A simple and cost-effective way...
Dig into learning at a day in the garden patch
PONTIAC, Ill. – Gardening can be a great way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of accomplishment in your own backyard. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about watching plants grow, whether it’s for the beautification of a space, growing your own food, or simply...
Mastering equine judging: Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest results announced
GALVA, Ill. – Youth from across Illinois demonstrated their equine knowledge at the Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest on Feb. 2 in Galva, Illinois. Participants evaluated six classes of horses, including at least two halter classes, with youth 14 years and older also competing in the...
Advance local impact with Watershed Stewards
Bloomington Ill. – Every day, rain nourishes fields of growing crops, and rivers steadily flow through natural areas and communities until, eventually, drinking water trickles out of faucets into our homes, schools, and businesses. The health of a watershed is tied to the...
