Bats protect young trees from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs
URBANA, Ill. – Bats help keep forests growing. Without bats to hold their populations in check, insects that munch on tree seedlings go wild, doing three to nine times more damage than when bats are on the scene. That’s according to a groundbreaking ...

Illinois Extension welcomes new 4-H Program Coordinator
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension is pleased to welcome Sherri Bishop as the new 4-H Program Coordinator in Logan County. Most recently, Sherri served as the Office Support Assistant in the Logan Extension Office, and she has extensive experience working with youth...

Best way to estimate costs for invasive plant removal? Get out and dig
URBANA, Ill. – Plants are designed to travel. They might not stand up and walk, but many plants produce seeds or other bits that can be carried long distances by wind or animals and start growing. While that might be great news for the plant, escapes like these can disrupt natural ecosystems and...

Improve well-being, health with 5 life lessons
URBANA, Ill. – Continued learning through all stages of life helps us to thrive physically, mentally, and financially. No matter your age, learn valuable life lessons in five monthly workshops which continue a tradition of supporting Illinois residents and communities with relevant and easy-to-...

Researchers explore soil erosion nutrient runoff in Illinois waterways
URBANA, Ill. - A team of Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) scientists was awarded a grant from the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council to quantify streambank erosion across the state and its contributions to phosphorus (P...

Explore agriculture technology to inform the future of digital ag
URBANA, Ill. – The agriculture industry is changing – driverless full-sized tractors can till fields and robots are milking cows and feeding calves. New digital farming technologies like robots and autonomous field equipment are coming out every day. But these labor-saving machines have also...

Local youth program offers a place where kids can belong, lead, learn
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members in Illinois will join 6 million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 2-8. Clubs around Illinois celebrate this week by highlighting the remarkable 4 H youth in their communities and showcasing the incredible experiences that 4 H offers...

Outstanding volunteers honored at State Fair ceremony
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Outstanding 4-H volunteers were celebrated as part of the 2022 class of the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame at a ceremony held as part of the 4-H General Project Show at the Illinois State Fair...

Illinois 4-H invites alumni to join 4-H history project
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H is proud of the rich history of 4-H and the network of 4-H alums near and far. Alums of the Illinois 4-H program share a unique bond with over 25 million Americans across the country. Illinois 4-H has launched a new initiative for the Illinois 4-H History...

Build money management skills early for a solid financial future
URBANA, Ill. — Building positive money habits early in life paves the way for long-term financial stability, but navigating topics such as spending, saving, investing, and managing debt can feel overwhelming, especially for young adults who are tackling financial responsibilities for the first...

4-H members earn awards in State Fair Junior Livestock Shows
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members from Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counites earned champion awards during the 2022 Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Shows.  In the Junior Livestock Division, 4-H and FFA members from across the state have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge...

Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters holds archery exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H currently offers shooting disciplines of archery and shotgun. 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 members earn awards at Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members from Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counites earned special awards for their project exhibits at the 2022 Illinois State Fair.  Eighty-two local 4-H’ers exhibited their project work alongside 4-H’ers from across the state in the Orr Building on Sunday, August 14...

Local community members inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two local community members have been inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame in recognition of their decades of dedication to the program.  Patty Huffer of Lincoln and Sharon Lounsberry of Oakford were both employees of Illinois Extension for many years. ...

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. Haven Grace Henry, daughter of M. Todd and Bethany Henry of Lincoln, is a 3-year member of the Wide-a-Wake 4-H...

McCoy's Extension leadership expanded with appointment as assistant director
  URBANA, Ill. – Janice McCoy has provided University of Illinois Extension educational programs and leadership for residents of Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties for more than 20 years. Now, McCoy will oversee 39 counties in western and central Illinois as the region's newest...

More than 80 pumpkin varieties to be featured at Field Day
URBANA, Ill. – Commercial pumpkin growers can enhance production practices at the upcoming University of Illinois Extension Pumpkin Field Day. The event begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at Eckert’s Orchard near Belleville. Register by Aug. 29...

Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters holds shotgun exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H currently offers shooting disciplines of archery and shotgun. 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...

4-H members earn awards at county shows
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2022 4-H Shows by demonstrating the knowledge and skills they gained this year.  Sangamon County 4-H members showed 154 live animal exhibits, and members from Sangamon and Menard Counties showed 208 general project exhibits...

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 Club members who had completed their 4-H records.  The following individuals were chosen as outstanding 4-H members from their clubs: Reid Kelly, Atlanta Ag 4-H; Sydney Ramlow, Hollanders...