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...
Mercer County Ag Literacy Program Helps Youth Celebrate Agriculture
(VIOLA, Ill.) This spring, first graders at Winola, Apollo, Sherrard, and New Boston elementary schools took part in a “Celebrate Ag” poster coloring contest, and second graders at all Mercer County schools participated in a placemat coloring contest with the winning placemats to be used at...
Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – You may not know what an invasive species is, but you've likely heard about them and the price tags they can carry. The estimated cost of managing the damages caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer or Asian carp is $120 billion annually in the U.S.
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Researchers call on backyard scientists to help save pollinators
URBANA, Ill. – Fluttering quietly and steadily from flower to bloom, butterflies, bees and other pollinators do the hard background work of fertilizing flowering plants, fruits and crops. But these unsung heroes are in danger. Studies have shown an estimated 40% of insect species, including the...
Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
URBANA, Ill. – Avian flu cases are on the rise in the Midwest. From canceled poultry shows to advising homeowners to remove bird feeders, Illinois is urging those who come into contact with birds to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a...
Flavor your meals with low-maintenance homegrown herbs
URBANA, Ill. – Culinary herbs are a favorite of many gardeners. They are easy to grow as they require little care, have few insect and disease problems, and generally prefer moderate fertility levels. In addition, they add fragrance and beauty to the garden. Many herbs such as lavender, sage,...
Early blooming spring ephemerals flowers welcome warmer weather
URBANA, Ill. – Spring ephemeral flowers are nature’s gems after winter. These short-lived beauties are wildflowers that grow in woodlands in the early spring before the leaves on deciduous trees are open. They are called spring ephemerals because they have a relatively short blooming time....
Talking about money doesn't have to be stressful
URBANA, Ill. – Many households experience stress and anxiety about their personal finances. These intense feelings of uneasiness and discontent can lead to misinformation and negative money behaviors.
University of Illinois Extension is providing a series of six free...
Pelleted seed gives gardeners a sown in advantage
URBANA, Ill. – Have you noticed the windowed packets of seeds at garden centers with brightly colored “seeds”? These pelleted seeds are small or irregular seed that have a specialized inert coating applied to improve planting, spacing, and germination. Often the coating, which increases the...
Digging into soil data helps inform green infrastructure design
URBANA, Ill. – Managing stormwater has become more challenging as urban development increases, storms get bigger and sewer systems can’t keep up. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant funded a University of Illinois project to help communities add green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to their strategies...
Secure your farm's security by knowing your legal rights
URBANA, Ill. – Legal risks can be fatal to a farm business. Understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances.
University of Illinois Extension partners with Farm Commons for a four-part series on legal issues for farms....
Get growing with indoor kitchen garden
URBANA, Ill. – Growing food is not limited to outdoors in the summer. With some planning, you can grow food indoors throughout the year.
University of Illinois Extension horticulture educators Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle says that before starting an indoor kitchen garden, it is essential to...
Strive to Thrive series will teach youth fundamentals to help them flourish
MARSHALL, Ill. – All youth should feel a sense of purpose, joy, and direction in their lives. Sometimes though, it may seem like some aren't as engaged as they could be. Illinois 4-H knows the importance of thriving and is offering four online workshops for all youth ages twelve and older to...
Youth demonstrate specialized equine knowledge in state contest
GALVA, Ill. – Youth from around the state demonstrated their specialized equine knowledge at the Illinois 4-H State Horse Judging Contest on Feb. 19.
In this contest, youth judge six classes of...
