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...
Master Gardener Helpline Open For Your Gardening Questions
It is that time of year again when the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers offer the Master Gardener Helpline. Have a home gardening question? The Master Gardeners are here to help with research based information to solve your gardening issue. Questions can be submitted...
Farmers struggle with processing plant closures; What COVID-19 means for your dinner table
URBANA, Ill. – Headlines about dairy farms dumping milk and livestock being euthanized are a sharp contrast to empty meat cases. The novel coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the nation’s food supply chain, resulting in increased prices for panicked shoppers and major losses for Illinois farmers...
Let's Talk Money webinars encourage financial dialogue
When it comes to talking about money, a lack of financial knowledge and the uneasiness of discussing sensitive issues keeps some people silent and risks the financial health of many families.
Let's Talk Money is a free 8-week online series offered by...
Hemp Grower Spotlight: Half Moon Hemp
The University of Illinois Extension will continue with their “Grower Spotlight” webinar series on Tuesday May 12th, 2020 from 9:00AM-10:30AM. This webinar series serves as a platform for our local producers and allow other growers and agribusiness professionals to come together to discuss...
Extension continues transition to online webinars, 4-H shows, events
URBANA, Ill. – As Illinois residents contemplate the impact of the coronavirus health pandemic on summer plans, University of Illinois Extension has released updated guidelines for Extension sponsored events and activities. The new guidelines continue to focus on the safety of event participants...
Adding fruit trees to the Northern Illinois backyard
While you might be thinking of growing vegetables this season, you might want to consider fruit trees as an addition to the backyard.
“Fruit trees can be great for the backyard in Northern Illinois”, states Grant McCarty, Local Foods and Small Farms Extension Educator for the University...
Farmers needed for paid cover crop trial
URBANA, Ill. - Illinois farmers willing to participate in a paid cover crop demonstration trial are needed beginning in fall 2020. Participation is now open.
The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program partners with university researchers and educators,...