Symposium offers 9 sessions on understanding and controlling invasive species
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois is home to beautiful wild spaces, but invasive species are a growing threat in our forests, lakes, backyards, and agricultural fields. Invasive species pose a serious threat to native species and natural ecosystems and cost the country billions of dollars to combat....
Make time to be inspired by nature's lessons
URBANA, Ill. — Spending time in nature allows people to take in the world around them. In today's busy world, learning how to hit pause to take lessons from nature and explore the benefits of outdoor activities is vital. University of Illinois Extension...
4-H youth celebrate global citizenship at International Night
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H’ers shared knowledge about cultures from around the world during the 2023 Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H International Night, which was held on Monday, April 17, at the Sangamon Extension Office in Springfield.
“You could make your own Chinese lantern, learn how to...
Learn 3 ways to can with confidence
UBBANA, Ill. — One of the best ways to preserve food is canning, a home-based method of food preservation that helps people prolong garden harvests, save on food costs, participate in family traditions, and control the quality of the food they eat.
Discover how to can with confidence and...
Volunteers' passion helps to grow the next generation of leaders
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Volunteers play a vital role in supporting 4-H youth clubs and programming. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H youth development program in Logan, Menard and Sangamon Counties honors their 63 local volunteer club leaders during National Volunteer Week, April 16-22....
Athens High School is home to an oak tree savanna
ATHENS, Ill. – Athens High School CUSD 213 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 bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois.
The 4-H Green...
Fur, Fin & Feather Small Pets 4-H SPIN Club
All 8-18 years olds are welcome to join 4-H for six weeks of fun with pets! We'll learn about basic pet care or how to choose a pet and careers in the pet industry. Get ready for games and sharing of your pets if you already have one during the first virtual session on Thursday, May 4, 2023,...
Bollero named College of ACES dean
URBANA, Ill. – Germán Bollero will be the next dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pending approval...
Local 4-H members earn state scholarships
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The career achievements of Illinois 4-H members were lauded at the Illinois 4-H Celebration of Excellence held April 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. Forty-five young adults were chosen as scholarship winners with each winner receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the...
Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters hold rifle exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H Club currently offers shooting disciplines of archery and rifle. The Sangamon County program is guided by a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinators. The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program which...
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 30 at the Sangamon County Extension Office in Springfield.
Awards winners included:
Champion...
Local 4-H'ers will demonstrate public speaking skills
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members will present 14 speeches in several styles during the 2023 Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest, which will be held Thursday, March 30, at 6 PM at the Sangamon Extension Office (700 S Airport Dr, Springfield). The public is welcome to attend....
Early adopters find unique approaches to alternative cow housing systems
URBANA, Ill. – Rising property prices, bad weather, and shrinking pasture acreage challenge Illinois ranchers and limit herd sizes. But what happens when cow and calf producers move cattle into open-air buildings for long periods?
That is what University of Illinois staff and Extension...
2022 Field crop disease, insect management report available
URBANA, Ill — Every year, University of Illinois scientists conduct pest and disease surveys in corn and soybean crops across the state, along with in-field tests of insecticides, seed treatments, and more. The 2022 report, now available, describes ongoing Bt-resistance monitoring results; field...
Extension is back to agribusiness with new farm business educator in Central Illinois
HAVANA, Ill. – After an 11-year hiatus, Kevin Brooks returned to University of Illinois Extension in December as the farm business management and marketing educator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. He previously served in this role from 2000 to 2011 in...
Tips for entering the cottage food business
URBANA, Ill. — Last year, the Home-to-Market Act, a set of legislative updates to the Cottage Food Law, came into effect in Illinois. Before this legislation passed, food operators could only sell homemade foods...
Logan and Sangamon County teens taking on statewide leadership roles
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Seven Illinois teens, including Lilian Frazee of Sangamon County and Sophia Schneider of Logan County, have a new way to make their voices heard on a statewide platform through the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team.
The team is comprised of 20 4-H members and recent...
Sow seeds of change, learn how to save garden seeds
URBANA, Ill. – As gardeners dream of spring and flip through catalogs looking for the best seeds, it makes you wonder where they come. Sure, seeds come from the fruit of a plant, but how does it happen? A good challenge for any gardener is to learn how to harvest and save seed.
If you...
Illinois Extension welcomes new 4-H Program Coordinator
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension is pleased to welcome Stacie Skelton as the new 4-H Program Coordinator in Menard County.
Stacie is an alumna of the Middletown 4-Hers club in Logan County, where some of her favorite 4-H projects included Floriculture, Visual Arts and...
