Blog Posts

a tomato plant damaged by herbicides with curled unrecognizable leaves
Read article: Twisted Leaves, and Tough Questions: What to Do If Spray Drift Hits Your Farm or Garden
Twisted Leaves, and Tough Questions: What to Do If Spray Drift Hits Your Farm or Garden
If your small farm or garden looks healthy one day, but the next you notice twisted, cupped, scorched, or discolored leaves on your vegetables,...
Man with clipboard in cornfield
Read article: USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
The USDA recently rescinded a rule that required all private applicators (those who apply pesticides to their own land) to keep records of their...
clean pesticide containers ready for recycling
Read article: 2025 Agrichemical container recycling program schedule
2025 Agrichemical container recycling program schedule
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced the single-day collection sites and dates for the 2025 Pesticide Container Recycling Program....
hands typing on a laptop
Read article: Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Illinois pesticide applicators and operators, if you have previously taken an Illinois Department of Agriculture online exam, you may already be...

News Releases

sprayer in the field spraying mist
Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - In August 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new herbicide strategy aimed at better aligning with the Endangered Species Act. This new strategy will alter pesticide labels by adding extra mitigation measures that seek to reduce pesticide exposure to over...
Sprayer driving through field
Pesticide applicator tests to be offered in winter 2025
OGLESBY, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension – Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties is offering the following testing-only sessions and certification program for pesticide applicators.  Certification is required to apply restricted-use pesticides. All sessions are offered...

Videos

Tips for Pollinators and Favorite Plants

We give helpful tips for helping out pollinators plus our favorite pollinator plants. Plus, tons of resources if you’re looking to include pollinator habitat in your landscape.

  • 0:26 - Hi Katie!
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Invasive Garlic Mustard Research Update for Land Managers

Garlic mustard is a high-priority invasive plant that harms native forest ecosystems in Illinois. Researchers from University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin collaborated to test at what growth stage herbicides can be used on garlic mustard and still stop the plants from producing viable...

Staff