Youth hippology team show off their horse sense as national reserve champions
LOUISVILLE, KY -- The Illinois 4-H State Hippology team’s knowledge was tested at the Eastern National 4-H Roundup and they came away as reserve champions. The team fielded a wide range of questions, ranging from breed identification, anatomy, tack...
Demographic changes result in increasing diversity in Illinois, new data presents
URBANA, Ill. — How do we determine the best ways for community and economic development in Illinois? How do you know what to vote for in the upcoming elections? The best place to start is in understanding demographic composition.
The 2020 decennial census revealed that...
Keep worms warm for winter vermicomposting
URBANA, Ill. – Vermicomposting or vermiculture, which is also known as worm farming, is the practice of keeping worms to produce worm castings or vermicompost. Vermicomposting is a natural process where worms digest organic matter and produce a waste product that is high in plant-available...
Grub attack could be just under the surface
URBANA, Ill. – Hundreds of dead and dying grubs littered the dirt Chicago sports field once covered in grass. Nancy Kreith, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator...
Restore wildlife, prepare for spring with winter Gardening in the Air series
URBANA, Ill. — As the cold weather sets in, it's time to move indoors. Learn how to take care of houseplants, protect wildlife, and prepare for spring gardening trends in Gardening in the Air, a webinar series offered by...
Keep pharmaceuticals out of local waterways with drug take back day
URBANA, Ill. – That expired bottle of pills sitting at the back of the medicine cabinet was once useful, but now it’s just taking up space. The question is – what do you do with it? Flush it? Throw it away?
Either choice puts drugs into nearby rivers or lakes putting the environment,...
Don't rake fall leaves, recycle them
URBANA, Ill. – Every fall, an onslaught of leaves drop relentlessly into yards leaving homeowners to rake, bag, and haul them out on the curb. But what many don’t know is that those golden-hued leaves are gold in the garden.
“After raking leaves this fall, think about recycling them on...
Make way for farmers on rural roads during fall harvest
DECATUR, Ill. – Harvest season is here, and with it comes safety issues on rural roads. Whether operating farm machinery or a motor vehicle, adopt a “safety first” attitude when sharing roads. During the fall harvest, there are more slow-moving farm equipment on the roadways, creating...
Proper maintenance extends lifespan, saves money on garden tools
URBANA, Ill. – One of the pricier expenditures for home gardeners is quality hand tools. High quality tools will last longer, but this does mean the tools — whether shovels, rakes, pruners, or hand trowels — cost more.
“Buy the best you can afford. Take care of your tools, and they will...
Healthy gardens start with sensible soil testing
URBANA, Ill. – As the growing season wraps up and gardeners put vegetable beds to rest and clean and store tools for the winter, there is one task they may be forgetting. Testing the soil’s nutrients can provide a better understanding of a garden’s health and save money in the long run.
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Keep plants, pollinators happy with fall Gardening in the Air series
URBANA, Ill. — With the weather getting colder and the coming of fall, it’s important to know how to put your garden to rest and plan for the next growing season.
Learn how to support pollinators, grow vegetables and herbs in any size garden, and find and plant trees for long-term...
Extension work highlighted in recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Directors of the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are announcing the release of Illinois’ third Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) Biennial Report. The Report describes the...
Expand understanding of vital health topics with cutting-edge research
URBANA, Ill. – Evolving advancements in health sciences require a connection to focused research to help communities and professionals stay informed on emerging health topics, disease prevention practices, and diagnoses.
Dive deeper into specific health conditions, such as tinnitus...