Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season
URBANA, Ill. – A long stretch of clear skies is great news for Illinois farmers who are busy clearing fields during the fall harvest. It also means they may be working long hours more days in a row, which can increase risks for burnout, injury, and stress.
“Farmers are in the field a...
Livingston County Master Gardeners Receive State Awards
PONTIAC, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate the Livingston County Master Gardeners on receiving a state award from the Illinois Master Gardener program. They were recognized at an online conference and awards ceremony on September 10. ...
McLean County Master Gardeners Receive State Awards
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate the following McLean County Master Gardeners on receiving state awards from the Illinois Master Gardener program. Award winners were recognized at an online conference and awards ceremony on September 10.
...
Woodford County 4-H volunteer inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
EUREKA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their selfless...
McLean County 4-H leader inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their...
Livingston County 4-H leader inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
PONTIAC, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their selfless...
Keep plants, pollinators happy with fall Gardening in the Air series
URBANA, Ill. — With the weather getting colder and the coming of fall, it’s important to know how to put your garden to rest and plan for the next growing season.
Learn how to support pollinators, grow vegetables and herbs in any size garden, and find and plant trees for long-term...
Feed the bees next spring with bulbs from this year’s Fall Gardeners’ Gathering
Spring blooming bulbs like daffodils are favored by gardeners as they are a signal that the soil has warmed, and the landscape is coming alive. Despite the bountiful daffodils seen around town, the few spring blooming flowers popping up have a big job feeding bees and pollinators. These bees...
Consider cover crops this fall
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Like it or not, fall and winter will be here before we know it. During the off-season, too many gardeners leave their vegetable or flower gardens bare over winter. This can cause major problems for the following growing season, especially an invasion of winter weeds and...
Woodford County Master Gardeners offer gardening help desk at Eureka Library
EUREKA, Ill. – Do you want to save seed this year? Is there a problem with your yard or garden? Are pests and weeds concerning you? University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners' Help Desk offers the community a unique opportunity to bring in your gardening questions and...
Armyworms march into Illinois' fields, lawns, gardens
URBANA, Ill. – Fall armyworm caterpillars are enjoying a bountiful meal at the expense of farmers and homeowners. Prevalent in the southern states, the adult moths move north to Illinois to mate and lay eggs.
This year’s appearance is earlier and in higher numbers, says...
Youth livestock experts earn $9,000 in scholarships
Springfield, Ill. – Nine 4-H youth from across the state of Illinois used their knowledge and expertise in the livestock field to earn $1,000 scholarships at the August 11 Illinois...
Small bees attracted to small flowers
URBANA, Ill. – While the bumblebee is likely the most well-known pollinator, pollinators come in a variety of shapes, species, and sizes.
“Many entomologists believe the tiny sweat bee nectaring on your flowering weed is just as important to a healthy ecosystem as the more well-known...
Baby feeding resource delivers peace of mind for new parents
URBANA, Ill. – New parents faced with the responsibility of caring for a baby often wonder how often to feed a newborn, when to wean babies from breastmilk or formula, when to introduce baby to solid foods, and whether homemade baby food is better than store-bought.
Babies may not come...
Volunteers inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success. The program relies on more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the ...
Plant asters for unique display of fall color
URBANA, Ill. – Fall gardens may need some added pops of color this time of year to maintain beauty and diversity until winter arrives. Asters are a late-blooming, pollinator friendly flower that looks great in the garden and in a fall floral display.
“Think beyond the obvious, fall-...
They thrash about and are here for your soil
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — They are here! They thrash side to side when threatened or touched by the unknowing observer.
Jumping worms have spread throughout our Central Illinois gardens and they could be in your backyard right now. Local...