News Releases

Return to work may cause separation anxiety in furry friends
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - As people look forward to returning to full-time work schedules or vacations away from home, four-legged friends may not have the same feeling. The return to “normalcy” will be hard for many household pets who may have gotten used to more time with their owners and experience...
Summer blooms simplify warm-season grass identification
URBANA, Ill. – Most people can identify a few different trees by their leaves or flowers in bloom, but grasses are a different story. Grasses provided food and shelter for wildlife and are key to a healthy ecosystem. Learn to identify the wide variety of Illinois warm-season grasses in a...
McDonough County 4-H Fair week comes to an end
Excitement filled the air at the McDonough County Fairgrounds this past week as McDonough County 4-H’ers from across the county were able to demonstrate their knowledge through projects. Participants who explored...
Knox County 4-H members showcase project knowledge at 2021 4-H show
Knox County 4-H members will showcase their projects at the Knox County 4-H Show. The 4-H show is an opportunity for youth ages 8-18 to showcase their mastery in the project areas they have studied over the course of the 2020-2021 4-H year. The Knox County 4-H General Show is...
A black and yellow cicada killer wasp stinging an annual cicada.
Cicada killer wasps in search of cicadas, not humans
URBANA, Ill. — The annual cicadas have begun to sing their song, and along with them comes the emergence of their natural predator, the cicada killer wasp. Despite their large size, these pollinating giants are not as threatening as they first seem. Annual cicadas, also...
Local members excel at State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
4-H members from Henderson, Knox, and Warren Counties competed in the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the Peoria County Fairgrounds on Monday, June 21. Members evaluated and placed 8 classes of livestock, answered questions about the animals they saw, and the senior...
McDonough County 4-H members showcase project knowledge at 2021 4-H show
McDonough County 4-H members will showcase their projects at the McDonough County 4-H Show. The 4-H show is an opportunity for youth ages 8-18 to showcase their mastery in the project areas they have studied over the course of the 2020-2021 4-H year. The McDonough County 4-H...
Aphid pests on the move in backyard gardens, agricultural fields
URBANA, Ill. – Ever spy small, yellow dots on the back of plant leaves during the summer months? Those tiny pear-shaped specks are aphids. Aphids are a common insect pest in the home landscape and for houseplants. There are many species of aphids in Illinois and they feed on a large...