Extraordinary 4-H volunteers honored
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois 4-H empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Fifty-three volunteers were recently honored by Illinois 4-H for their selfless dedication to the University of Illinois...
Honoring two local Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame Inductees: Steve Ausmus and Lynne Schroeder
The heart of the Illinois 4-H program beats strong through the dedication of its more than 6,000 volunteers, who play vital roles as mentors and leaders in shaping the future of the youth. Each year, the Illinois 4-H Foundation spotlights longstanding volunteers for their unwavering commitment...
Rock Island County 4-H Receives $5,000 Donation from America's Farmers, Nominated by Alice Crawford
Rock Island County 4-H has been honored with a generous $5,000 donation from America's Farmers Grow Communities, a philanthropic initiative led by the Bayer Fund. The significant contribution was made possible by program's recipient Ms. Alice Crawford, who has a longstanding history with the 4-H...
Master Gardener program offers online training options
URBANA, Ill. — For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow....
Illinois Extension Hosts 6th Annual "Farm in the Park" Event: A Fun-Filled Day for Families
(GALVA, Ill.) Join University of Illinois Extension for a fun day of activities at their 6th annual Farm in the Park event at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 388 Front Street in Galva, IL, right across from the Extension office.
The event offers a variety of engaging activities for all ages,...
5% acidity vinegar is key to safe canning
URBANA, Ill. — There’s a long list of home canned foods that use vinegar as an ingredient, including salsa, pickled vegetables, barbeque sauce, and preserved fruits like apple butter and cantaloupe pickles, as well as canned tomatoes as an acidifier. The vinegar increases acidity, thus lowering...
Youth demonstrate expert equine knowledge in hippology contest
Urbana, Ill. – In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. 4-H’s educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed...
Illinois AgrAbility ready to serve farmers across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Farmers have always been the backbone of America. The state of Illinois includes 72,650 farms that cumulatively harvest over 27 million acres and are operated by 118,000 producers. The work involved is not only the farmer’s livelihood but rather their way of life.
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Asking for help just got easier with no-cost mental health access for agricultural community
URBANA, Ill. — Farming is stressful, and the Illinois agriculture community faces unique challenges every day that take a toll on mental health. A new program from University of Illinois Extension gives farmers and their families access to professional mental health care for free.
The...
Take a break from the summer heat: Enjoy Four Seasons Gardening series
URBANA, Ill. — Summer is a time of growth and exploration. While spring-planted flowers and vegetables are growing, take a break between waterings to learn something new from the vast world of gardening.
Explore the global impact of sunflowers, discover summer-blooming trees, and learn...
Illinois at increased risk of drought conditions
Parts of northeast, western, and central Illinois have been much drier than normal in the past four to six weeks, causing dry soils and lower streamflow. Perennials, gardens, and young trees in these areas have begun to show some response to the dryness, requiring more frequent watering than...
Strengthen your farm's resiliency with legal training for Illinois small farms
URBANA, Ill. — Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business and addressing them proactively can keep farms in business. The relief of understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances....
Automated agricultural machinery requires new approaches to ensure safety
URBANA, Ill. — From self-driving tractors to weeding robots and AI-powered data collection, automated machinery is revolutionizing agricultural production. While these technological advancements can greatly improve productivity, they also raise new questions about safety measures and regulations...
Mercer & Rock Island County 4-Hers learn public-speaking skills that last a lifetime.
MILAN, Ill. – Public speaking is an important part of the overall 4-H experience. Several members from Mercer & Rock Island 4-H put their skills to the test during their county’s 4-H Public Speaking Contest, with five members advancing to the Illinois 4-H State Contest held at Parkland...
