News Releases

Recognizing and Managing Stress webinars being offered
Freeport, IL---Stress on farmers, ranchers and their families caused by lower crop prices, retracting global markets and natural disasters is still an ongoing issue especially in rural areas.  Even before the coronavirus outbreak, rural communities across the Midwest were dealing with additional...
Rural Resilience virtual course gives farmers tools to manage stress
URBANA, Ill. – Farm life is stressful. Rural communities face unique mental health risks, but it can be hard to talk about it. “I’ve heard stories of farmers who would drive three hours to a mental health seminar; not because there wasn’t one closer,” says...
Project learning never stops in 4-H
The Illinois 4-H youth development program empowers and prepares youth for success by providing opportunities for youth to learn, practice, and demonstrate skills needed for home, career, and global citizenship. Youth, organized in clubs, study...
Recognizing and Managing Stress
Stress on farmers, ranchers, and their families caused by lower crop prices, retracting global markets, and natural disasters is still an ongoing issue especially in rural areas. Even before the coronavirus outbreak, rural communities across the Midwest were dealing with additional economic...
Extension to continue online events, 4-H shows in July
URBANA, Ill. – As the state of Illinois moves into Phase 3 of the coronavirus Restore Illinois plan, University of Illinois Extension continues to provide research-based educational programs for families, farmers, and businesses in formats that support public health and safety priorities. ...
At-home animal slaughter involves risk, challenges
URBANA, Ill. - Supply chain and distribution challenges are leaving producers stranded with animals ready for market but no place to go. Some may consider custom slaughter or butchering at-home as a way to relieve this pressure. While producers are able to slaughter their own animals, this...
COVID creates shortage of PPE for pesticide applicators
The shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) extends beyond medical staff and first responders. Pesticide applicators are struggling to find the equipment required by law. Sales of respirators, face shields, and N95 face masks are being directed to health care and front-line workers,...
The Commercial Ag Webinar Series
Illinois Extension's Commercial Agriculture team has been working to put together a new webinar series targeted towards those in production agriculture in the state of Illinois. With the uncertainty around the likelihood of face-to-face programming for the summer of 2020, the team wanted to work...
Are murder hornets here in Illinois; not likely
URBANA, Ill. - There has been a recent surge of interest in an invasive insect pest, the Asian Giant Hornet (AGH), or Vespa mandarinia. AGHs are the largest hornets in the world and are identifiable by their size and distinct bright yellow or orange heads. While well known for their large...
Get Growing Webinar Series
Join Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty as he hosts his second round of Get Growing Webinars. The second round of webinars are scheduled for Friday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. starting on May 22 and going through June 5. You must register for the webinars...