Extraordinary Menard County 4-H volunteer honored
Menard County, Ill. - Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success, with the program relying on more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Windell Milner, a 30-year volunteer in Menard County, was recently honored by Illinois 4-H for his selfless...
Illinois Extension seeks input from local agriculture community
LINCOLN, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties is excited to announce the launch of an online needs assessment survey aimed at gathering valuable input from the public regarding agricultural programs and educational opportunities. This initiative is part...
Local 4-H scholarships awarded
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members were recently awarded scholarships in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in 4-H, in their schools, and in their communities.The Logan County 4-H Foundation presented the Ross B. Conrady Memorial 4-H Foundation Scholarship to Sophia...
Explore cutting-edge agricultural technology with I-FARM Learning Series
URBANA, Ill. — Identifying on-farm needs to increase efficiency, safety, practicality, and overall profitability is where ideas for adapting technology begin. From there, advancing technology for productivity and sustainability seems to be more within reach in a changing agricultural landscape....
Explore commercial pumpkin production at Extension field day
URBANA, Ill. — As Illinois ranks number one in both pumpkin production and processing, it provides a great opportunity to bring together growers, producers, and those who love talking pumpkins.University of Illinois Extension can help kick off...
Menard County youth share project work during 4-H shows
PETERSBURG, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2024 4-H Shows by demonstrating the knowledge and skills they gained this year. Menard County 4-H members showed 85 live animal exhibits at the Menard County Fair and 60 general project exhibits during a show held at the Sangamon...
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:Sophia Schneider – Beason Ag 4-H ClubCameron...
4-H members earn awards at county shows
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2024 4-H Shows by demonstrating knowledge and skills they gained this year. Sangamon County 4-H members showed 207 live animal exhibits, and members from Sangamon and Menard counties showed 271 general project exhibits during shows...
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...
