Youth livestock skillathon showcases future leaders of ag
Urbana, Ill. — Seventy 4-H youth participated in the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon held in the Stock Pavilion on University of Illinois campus on Nov. 4. Participants went through the contest and then participated in a learning workshop to better prepare for next year’s contests in the summer...

Certified Food Protection Manager course coming to Eureka
EUREKA, Ill. – Illinois regulations require food establishments to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff. University of Illinois Extension offers the Food Protection Manager Certification course and examination, which is required every 5 years. University of...

Young marksmen aim for excellence
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H rifle shooters from Illinois gathered to compete in small bore rifle and air rifle competition at the 2023 4-H State Rifle Shoot held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters on Oct. 8. The rifle shooting sports discipline involves both precision...

Join the fun at Extension’s Diabetes Clinic holiday party
EUREKA, Ill. – Learning about our health can be a challenge to add to busy schedules. Hit pause and join Nutrition and Wellness Educator and Registered Dietitian, Jenna Smith, for the final diabetes clinic class of the year. The diabetes clinic holiday party will meet from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m...

Stay alert for deer behind the wheel in fall
URBANA, Ill. — Deer are more active in the fall and drivers should be cautious when traveling after dark. While accidents can happen at any time of year, most deer-vehicle incidents occur between dusk and dawn during the months of October, November, and December. Drivers should slow down...

Extension’s diabetes clinic finds the fuel to fight cancer
EUREKA, Ill. – Food is one tool to support cancer prevention, treatment, and care. Join Nutrition and Wellness Educator and Registered Dietitian, Jenna Smith, to discuss the research on how foods may reduce your risk of cancer and ways to incorporate nutrition to help manage side effects of...

Have a smashing good time composting Halloween pumpkins
CHICAGO, Ill. — Jack-o’-lanterns live a short, scary life. That is unless they are catapulted, hurled, or whacked into a compost pile after spooky season is over. Green your Halloween by recycling pumpkins after the holiday at one of more than a dozen University of Illinois...

U of I Extension, Rader Farms to host pumpkin smash & composting event to help fight climate change
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Halloween night may be filled with frights, but garbage day is where the real horror lurks. Discarded by the 1,000s, decaying jack-o-lanterns and rotting pumpkins are hauled off to landfills by the truckload. Every year, masses of orange flesh pile-up and break-down in our...

Livingston County Master Gardener receives state awards
  PONTIAC, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate Livingston County Master Gardener, Diana McGuckin, on receiving a state award from the Illinois Master Gardener program. She was recognized at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference and awards ceremony...

McLean County Master Gardeners receive state award
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate McLean County Master Gardener, Julie Murphy, on receiving a state award from the Illinois Master Gardener program. She was recognized at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference and awards ceremony on Friday,...

Youth put archery skill mastery to the test
PEKIN, Ill. — Illinois youth gathered at a statewide competition on Sept. 16 to put their skill mastery in archery to the test. In addition to skill levels, the competitions focus on building teamwork abilities, camaraderie, and of course fun. “I know at first it appears odd to have...

McLean County youth named national award winner
WASHINGTON, DC  — National 4-H Council today announced the winners of the 2024 Youth In Action Awards, a national program sponsored by Bayer that recognizes four diverse young leaders who have made a positive impact in their communities. McLean County 4-H youth, Avani Rai, 17, was named a...

Illinois youth program offers a place where kids can belong, lead, learn
URBANA, Ill. — 4-H members in Illinois will join the six million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 1-7. 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...

What is needed to create a long-term sustainable food system for Illinois?
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois food growers, distributors and activists voiced solutions for creating a more resilient and equitable food system in Illinois: support for growers and producers of all experience levels, investment in education and marketing strategies, and advocacy engagement to secure...

Take steps to build a strong foundation for diabetes care
URBANA, Ill. — Over 37.3 million Americans live with diabetes, and another 38% of adults have prediabetes. Raising awareness and learning as much as possible about preventing and treating diabetes is essential. University of Illinois Extension offers...

Four Seasons Gardening series ushers in the fall season with care
URBANA, Ill. — As seasons shift, take care and fall into gardening with ease. Find healing, growth, and how adding a little planning keeps the mind going and growing. Explore how to keep the season alive with tips for dividing perennials, continuing self-growth, and healing with time...

Focus on safety to prevent accidents during busy harvest season
URBANA, Ill. — Harvest season is beginning across the state, and for farmers, this means early mornings, long days, and the potential for exhaustion that can lead to accidents. University of Illinois Extension Specialist and Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Assistant...

Extension offers certified food protection manager course at Heartland
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois regulations require food establishments to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff. University of Illinois Extension offers the Food Protection Manager Certification course and examination, which is required every 5 years. University of...

Walk on over to raise hunger awareness
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. –The public is invited to walk, run, or ride in the first inaugural McLean County Hunger Walk on Saturday, September 16 at Tipton Trails in Bloomington to raise awareness of food insecurity. The free event is presented by the McLean County Health Community Council in...

There's an App for That-Diabetes Clinic
EUREKA, Ill. – Technology continues to advance in the field of medicine. Join University of Illinois Extension’s Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Jenna Smith and special guest, Clinical Dietitian and Diabetes Educator at Carle Eureka Hospital, Jodi Upchurch, to learn about some of the newer...