Illinois alumna Ogwal named new policy director for Illinois Office of Lieutenant Governor
URBANA, Ill – Public policy informs planning, funding, and implementation of solutions to address real-world challenges for Illinois communities and requires motivated leaders whose work amplifies the voices of those most challenged. Susan Ogwal has been named new policy director for the...
Support pollinators with cheerful viola flowers
URBANA, Ill. – Roses are red, violets are blue and they have also earned top honors being named Plant of the Year by the International Herb Association. Every year, the association selects plants that are considered...
$3.9M USDA NIFA grant funds ‘Farm of the Future’
Urbana, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is funding a new collaboration between two institutes and a research center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that will create an integrated farm of the future in the U.S. Midwest.
Titled “I-...
Learn what research reveals for current health challenges
URBANA, Ill. – The rush of summer activities can interrupt healthy routines. Researchers from University of Illinois can help guide your summer health choices. A series of seven workshops will dive into a wide range of topics, from fitness to brain health.
The free online webinars are...
Researchers: Farmers know tick risks; now is time to take preventative actions
URBANA, Ill. – Ticks, once limited to the northeast region of the United States, are making a westward migration across the U.S. and with them, tickborne diseases that cost the healthcare system up to $1.3 billion a year to treat. Exposure to ticks can happen anywhere - from backyards to parks...
Summer is upon us: Is your swimming pool safe?
SpRINGFIELD, Ill. — Summer is almost here, and that means spending more time outdoors. To cool down, many take a dip in a pool. Or to relax in the evening, a hot tub provides a nice way to soothe aching muscles.
One aspect of owning a pool or hot tub that can be overlooked is its...
Producers and consumers must share burden of global plastic packaging waste
URBANA, Ill. – Plastic packaging waste is everywhere. Our plastic bottles, food wrappings, and grocery bags litter the landscape and pollute the global environment.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area twice the size of Texas, consists of plastic waste from all over the world,...
Support Warren 4-H youth at BBQ
Why cook when you can pick up a delicious meal and support local youth? Dine-in, drive-thru, or carry out your dinner to help fund 4-H programs and scholarships for local youth.
The Warren County 4-H BBQ serves a delicious pork chop sandwich, baked beans, applesauce, chips, dessert, and...
Bugs can be a solution for high-tunnel farmers
SIMPSON, Ill. – More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to benefit from the extended growing season, increased crop diversity, higher yields, and improved quality. But high tunnels come with their own unique challenges including insect pests that can cause major damage...
Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame volunteers honored for selfless dedication
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their selfless...
Common farm conservation myths busted by Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) will be holding a free three-part webinar series debunking popular myths that keep some farmers from adopting soil health and conservation drainage practices. The series will look beyond...
Slow stormwater, prevent floods with rain friendly landscaping
URBANA, Ill. – Life does not exist without water. Gardens don’t grow without water. But what happens when there is too much of a good thing? Or when that good thing is mismanaged and becomes a misfortune. Or when there are prolonged periods of drought?
“The tale of stormwater is more...
Dining out helps support Henderson 4-H youth
Why cook when you can go out to eat a delicious meal and support local youth? Bring your family or come with friends to the Henderson County Fairgrounds and enjoy time together having dinner and help fund 4-H programs and scholarships for local youth.
The Henderson County 4-H BBQ serves...
Rethinking Agronomy Day at U of I means pop-up events and more
URBANA, Ill. – In its 65th year, the University of Illinois’ “Agronomy Day” is a day no more. Instead, the Department of Crop Sciences, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and...
IDOA continues emergency rule to protect poultry from highly pathogenic avian influenza
SPRINGFIELD, Ill - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that it will continue to enforce emergency rules prohibiting the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois to prevent the spread of...
Study: Proposed nitrogen fertilizer policies could protect farmer profits, environment
URBANA, Ill. – Nitrogen fertilizer has major implications for crop yields and environmental health, specifically water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal and state governments have shied away from regulating nitrogen fertilizer use, but voluntary and incentives-based programs have not been...
Share rural roads safely during spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. – After a cold, wet spring Illinois farmers are racing to get their crops in the field. As large farm equipment moves along country roads, both farmers and those driving a vehicle should adopt a "safety first" attitude.
The 2022 spring planting season is progressing rapidly...
Gardens provide hands-on learning experience
Galesburg High School students from the Life Skills program and Knoxville FFA students, along with their teachers, Mallory Tolley and Katie Smith, visited the Knox County Nursing Home on April 21. They viewed the extensive gardens to learn more about gardening and what it takes to maintain such...
Dudley Smith Farm Field Day highlights regenerative ag practices
URBANA, Ill. – Transformative changes have helped agriculturalists feed a growing human population more efficiently and effectively than prior generations while advancing stewardship and sustainability of the land, water, and air needed for life.
The world’s population is estimated to...
