Enjoy the silence. Cicadas are coming
If you haven't heard the buzz, you will soon. Billions of periodical cicadas are coming, and University of Illinois Extension is sharing information to help track their moves before emergence.
“Historically speaking, 2024 is a big year for...
Get your pressure canner tested for free by Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a great time to take inventory of your canning equipment to prepare for the summer canning season. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, make it a habit to get it tested by Illinois Extension every year.
Various...
Master the art of water bath and pressure canning
Home food preservation continues to be extremely popular, whether due to increased food costs, the desire to know what is going into your food, or because it benefits the environment by reducing one’s carbon footprint. There are many ways to preserve food at home, including freezing, drying,...
Spring into composting by reviving a compost pile after winter
URBANA, Ill. — If you haven’t touched your compost bin or pile all winter, don’t worry, you are not alone. It could be filled with kitchen scraps to the top or left untouched since the fall. Getting a compost pile going again after the long, cold winter can be intimidating, but it is...
Spring back into nature with sustainability tips from Everyday Environment series
URBANA, Ill. — Every spring, nature reminds us of the beauty of the wild spaces that surround us. Wildflowers bloom in the forest understory. Mushrooms pop up overnight in your front yard. The sun sets slowly over a lake. Explore tips to manage the threat of invasive plants, explore the...
Gov. Pritzker announces $28.8 million in USDA grants to provide free local food to communities
PEORIA, Ill. — Governor JB Pritzker announced $28.8 million in grant funding to provide free locally-produced food to vulnerable communities. The grants are being awarded to organizations in Illinois in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Human...
Teen leaders showcase leadership, speaking skills at State Capitol
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois 4-H teens put their leadership skills to the test as they communicated the value and impact of Illinois 4-H with state legislators as a part of 4-H Legislative Connection on Feb.7 and 8.Legislative Connection provides Illinois 4-H teens a unique opportunity to...
New Extension initiatives empower Illinois to meet the challenges of changing climate
URBANA, Ill. — The science is clear; the world’s climate is changing. Illinois has already seen the impacts on everything from agriculture productivity and food access to public health hazards and diminishing natural resources. To meet these challenges and further its land-grant mission of...
Illinois SNAP-Ed summits bring awareness to hunger, food insecurity
URBANA, Ill. — One in eleven people in Illinois struggle with food insecurity daily, including one in nine children, according to Feeding America. When families are hungry, making a healthy food choice is not always an easy...
Shifting USDA plant hardiness map reflects changing climate, changes for plants
URBANA, Ill. — On a cold, blustery January day, it may be hard to remember that 2023 was the hottest year on record. But the newest update to the plant hardiness map, in which half the country shifted to warmer zones, is a stark reminder that the climate is changing and changing fast....
Opportunity to learn practical money management strategies
URBANA, Ill. — Navigating financial management can often seem overwhelming and intimidating, particularly for those uncertain about how to begin. Studies have shown that financial stress can have detrimental effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, having access to practical...
Weather a changing climate on the farm now and in the future
URBANA, Ill. — The only thing certain about modern farming is that things are always changing, and today’s weather isn’t your grandparents’ weather. Growing seasons are shifting, and extreme weather events like storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more common....
2024 Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference
Start your season off with success at the 2024 Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1-4-23
WOODSTOCK, Ill---Blueberries, pumpkins, apples, and tomatoes are all on the agenda for the 28th Annual Stateline Fruit...
Webinar series for Beginners in Livestock Ownership set to begin January 11
The Livestock Production and Principles for Beginners Webinar Series returns in 2024. This monthly series, first launched in 2023, addresses the needs of those who are getting started, exploring the concept of, or even assists those currently raising livestock. With a focus on helping those who...
Keep dogs safe this winter
URBANA, Ill. — As the days inch further and further into winter and frigid temperatures, Dr. Pavlovsky, director of the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine South Clinic, has...
Start your season off with success at the 2024 Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference
ROCKFORD, Ill---Blueberries, pumpkins, apples, and tomatoes are all on the agenda for the 28th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference at NIU-Rockford in Rockford, Illinois, on Monday, February 19. Serving commercial growers that sell to farmers markets, orchards, and other...
Bloom in the winter with gift of amaryllis bulb kit
URBANA, Ill. — The gift of gardening is an experience anyone can appreciate this holiday season. Take the stress out of shopping this holiday season and give a blooming amaryllis kit that brings the beauty of nature indoors.
Poinsettias are beautiful, popular holiday plants, but the gift...
