Local 4-H supporters honored during Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Three outstanding local 4-H supporters were honored during a ceremony held on August 11 at the Illinois State Fair. Two local supporters were inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, and one local volunteer was chosen for the national 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding...
Make flowers and memories last forever with drying for design
URBANA, Ill. — A great way to enjoy flowers with family and friends is to harvest and preserve them. The popularity of dried and pressed flowers has turned an old hobby into a renewed interior design and art trend. Who has not pressed that lucky four-leaf clover between a couple of pages of...
Master Gardener program offers online training options
URBANA, Ill. — For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to...
Menard County youth share project work during 2023 4-H shows
PETERSBURG, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2023 4-H Shows by demonstrating knowledge and skills they gained this year. Menard County 4-H members showed 76 live animal exhibits at the Menard County Fair and 37 general project exhibits during a show held at the Sangamon...
How to grow tropical ginger for at-home spice
URBANA, Ill. — Growing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the backyard can seem like a lot of work, but at the end of the season, the bountiful, tasty harvest is worth it. The International Herb Association named ginger (Zingiber...
Want more from your garden? Plant a fall crop of cucumbers
URBANA, Ill. — It’s the middle of summer, and you are looking for a new home project. Did you know it is not too late to plant some vegetable plants? With proper care, many vegetables are easy to grow in a sunny location in your backyard or a container garden on a patio. Take the challenge and...
Kiwanis presents awards to outstanding Logan County 4-H members
LINCOLN, Ill. – The Lincoln Kiwanis Club recently presented awards to outstanding Logan County 4-H members who completed their 4-H Records.
The following individuals were chosen as outstanding 4-H members from their clubs:
Ellie Wrage – 4 Corner Clovers 4-H Club
...
Elevate your expectations with raised bed gardening
URBANA, Ill. — Whether for convenience or accessibility, raised beds are a popular option for growing fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants. Raised bed structures elevate the soil, and with it comes a variety of advantages for growing plants.
Using raised beds may allow...
4-H members earn awards at county shows
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2023 4-H Shows by demonstrating knowledge and skills they gained this year. Sangamon County 4-H members showed 237 live animal exhibits, and members from Sangamon and Menard counties showed 241 general project exhibits during...
Care for perennial gardens with 3 proven pruning methods
URBANA, Ill. — Pruning perennial flowers takes a garden from looking fair to well-kept. Deadheading, cutting back, and pinching are all pruning techniques that can keep perennial plants looking well cared for and healthy.
Pruning perennials is a complex topic because different...
Illinois AgrAbility ready to serve farmers across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Farmers have always been the backbone of America. The state of Illinois includes 72,650 farms that cumulatively harvest over 27 million acres and are operated by 118,000 producers. The work involved is not only the farmer’s livelihood but rather their way of life.
...
Reduce storm damage by looking for tree defects before bad weather strikes
URBANA, Ill. — High winds during summer storms wreak havoc on trees. Tree defects increase the likelihood of failure, and those close to homes can quickly become dangerous. Learn to look for these weak points to be better prepared for severe weather events.
Trees experience...
Local 4-H'ers will share project work at county shows
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members will put their passion and hard work on display during the Sangamon County 4-H shows taking place June 24-25 at the Sangamon County Fairgrounds in New Berlin. The public is invited to see what the 4-H members have accomplished in their project work...
Asking for help just got easier with no-cost mental health access for agricultural community
URBANA, Ill. — Farming is stressful, and the Illinois agriculture community faces unique challenges every day that take a toll on mental health. A new program from University of Illinois Extension gives farmers and their families access to professional mental health care for free.
The...
Go green with eco-friendly lawn care
URBANA, Ill. — Residential lawns consume over 2.5 billion gallons of water a year. This makes taking a natural approach to lawn care appealing for homeowners. Also, almost 3 million tons of fertilizer are applied to residential lawns every year, and homeowners typically use three times more...
Creating healthier Illinoisans: SNAP-Ed generates up to $135 million in future benefits
URBANA, Ill. — Illinoisans receive between $5.36 and $9.54 in return for each dollar spent helping Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program participants make healthier choices through the state’s Eat.Move.Save. education programs. The benefits include healthcare cost savings, increased life...
Farm stressors affect mental health of adults and adolescent children
URBANA, Ill. — Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers face substantial mental health challenges. Research indicates they often experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population, but less is known about the effects on their...
