New online agriculture course grows skills in identifying corn, soybean field insects
URBANA, Ill. — One thing is for sure, if there is a farm field, insects will visit it. Having the skills to identify insects inhabiting crop fields across the Midwest improves one’s ability to identify and effectively manage insect pests while avoiding unnecessary interventions that may...
Illinois clean energy transition excludes key constituents in energy justice equation
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois has made transitioning to clean energy a major priority in recent years with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016 and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021. Both pieces of legislation prioritize an equitable transition, aiming to avoid and address...
Attend field day to learn how agrivoltaics boosts energy, resiliency in food production
URBANA, Ill. — Continuing to feed a growing world is the agriculture industry's future, and the demand for sustainability is here. One avenue of exploration includes agrivoltaics or solar energy within production agriculture.“The relatively recent idea combines solar panels for...
4-H Youth Learn Survival Skills at Zombie Apocalypse Disaster Preparedness Funshop
PETERSBURG, Ill. – On Monday, July 8, nineteen youth from Menard, Logan, and Sangamon Counties gathered at the Menard County Extension Office for a unique and engaging event: 4-H Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse Disaster Preparedness Funshop. This innovative workshop focused on preparing for the...
Educators learn hands-on strategies for teaching about plants and soils
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local elementary educators got their hands dirty while learning strategies for teaching about plants and soils during a recent two-day Summer Horticulture Institute hosted by University of Illinois Extension and...
First of its kind study shines light on LGBTQ+ farmer mental health
URBANA, Ill. — LGBTQ+ people involved in farm work are over three times more likely to experience depression and suicidal intent and about two and a half times more likely to experience anxiety than the general population. That’s according to a...
Take care of your trees with summer Forestry Stewardship Series
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois has 4.8 million acres of tree-covered land. From shading homes and feeding wildlife to producing oxygen and filtering water, trees do a lot of heavy lifting. Give them a hand by discovering innovative, research-based management options in the summer Forestry...
Free Fishing with 4-H Funshop: Two Days of Learning and Fun on the Water
PETERSBURG, Ill. — The Menard County 4-H Program hosted an exciting and educational Free Fishing with 4-H Funshop, offering 19 local youth from Menard, Logan and Sangamon counties a hands-on experience with fishing and conservation. This event, held on June 17 and 18, provided a unique blend of...
Growing Extension forestry team speaks for the trees
URBANA, Ill. — Oaks, elms, hickories, and other trees cover Illinois in a tapestry of forests and woodlands that shade homes and parks, shelter and feed wildlife, produce oxygen, and stabilize soil. Trees once covered more than a third of Illinois, but now that number is halved and disease,...
Recognizing heat-related warning signs for gardeners and landscapers
URBANA, Ill. — Landscaping and gardening are great physical exercises, and studies show they are good for emotional well-being. But those working outside must remain aware of the dangers associated with heat stress on their bodies.
“When I was working as a landscaper, we had to sod a...
Free Fishing Fun with 4-H: A Chance for Youth to Explore Nature and Learn About Conservation
PETERSBURG, Ill. - Get ready to hook into a world of outdoor discovery at the Free Fishing Fun with 4-H event, sponsored by a generous local donor and organized in collaboration with Menard County 4-H, Menard County Fair Board, Menard County Farm Bureau, Menard County Soil & Water...
Explore, learn and grow during free summer activities provided by 4-H
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Youth of all ages can explore their interests and learn new skills during the fun and exciting summer activities provided by 4-H in Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties. From gardening and cooking to emergency preparedness and mental health, there's something for everyone to...
New Cloverbud 4-H club starting in Pawnee
PAWNEE, Ill. – A new Cloverbud 4-H club, open to youth ages 5 to 7 (as of September 1, 2023), is starting in Pawnee. A kickoff meeting for interested families will be held Saturday, April 27, 10-11 AM, at the Pawnee Public Library.
Cloverbud 4-H clubs focus on having fun and making...
Spring brings opportunity to forage wild mushrooms
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a time of change. Migrating birds return. Ephemeral wildflowers start popping up. And morel mushrooms start appearing prompting enthusiastic mushroom hunters to scour forests across Illinois in search of the elusive and delectable fungi.
Determined...
Greenview School is home to an oak tree savanna
GREENVIEW, Ill. – Greenview School District #200 in Menard County is now home to an oak tree savanna thanks to local youth and community members. The group of 25 oak trees, called a savanna, will breathe new life into oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois.
The 4-H Green...
4-H Public Speaking Contest results announced
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members presented speeches and earned awards at this year’s Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest, which was held March 19 at the Sangamon County Extension Office in Springfield.
Awards winners included:
Champion...
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...
Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters Hold Air Pistol Exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H currently offers shooting disciplines of air pistol and archery. The Sangamon County program is guided by Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinators. The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program...
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...