4-H Foundation awards scholarships to prepare youth for college and careers
Urbana, Ill. – The career achievements of Illinois 4-H members are being celebrated with $67,500 in scholarships awarded by the Illinois 4-H Foundation.The scholarships are awarded to five Illinois 4-H members in nine focus categories and are based on merit and a demonstrated standard of...
Local greenhouse featured as first stop in Extension's Summer Twilight Series
RICHVIEW, Ill. – Illinois Extension is kicking off the 2026 Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series with a trip to Richview. Whether you’re a flower gardener, bride-to-be, or interested in learning more about growing cut flowers, you’ll want to join the upcoming tour of Flower Girls Greenhouse...
Summer Twilight Series strengthens southern Illinois food systems
RICHVIEW, Ill. – Illinois Extension is excited to announce the return of the eleventh-annual Summer Twilight Series. This southern Illinois tradition brings farmers, educators, and community members together to explore the diversity and innovation of local agriculture. Twilight...
4-H Green Communities Program marks fifth year with 1,150 new oak trees planted across Illinois
Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4‑H and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) Forestry Committee celebrated a major milestone this spring as the 4‑H Green Communities Tree Program completed its fifth year of statewide oak savannah restoration efforts. In...
Illinois 4-H teens build career-ready skills at Ignite by 4-H Summit
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Teen leaders from across Illinois recently joined hundreds of their peers from around the country March 25-29 for the 2026 Ignite by 4-H Summit, a national youth leadership experience focused on career exploration, skill-building and connection.Hosted by National 4-H...
Prepare for food preservation season with free pressure canner testing
URBANA, Ill. — As gardeners begin planting seedlings and planning for warmer weather, it’s also time to think about what needs to be preserved. Home preservation methods like canning, freezing, dehydration, and fermentation extend the shelf life of foods compared to storing fruits and vegetables...
Against the Grain: Dr. Salah Issa on Innovating Ag Safety
URBANA, Ill. — Dr. Salah Issa’s career in agricultural safety began in an unexpected way. Starting out at a graduate program in Ecological Sciences and Engineering at Purdue University as a self-described “city kid”, he was unaware that agricultural engineering was even a career option. It wasn’...
New webinar series supports adults in strengthening long-term health
URBANA, Ill. — Millions of adults in the United States live with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, often facing daily challenges that affect their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Managing these conditions requires reliable information, practical...
Celebrate spring’s arrival with new Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening webinars
URBANA, Ill. — Springtime brings visions of beautiful butterfly gardens and dreams of delicious vegetable varieties growing in a garden or porch pots outside the window.Garden planning and the countdown to a new growing season continue with two new webinars...
Illinois 4-H expands workforce pathways with foodservice credential program for teens
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H is preparing teens to be beyond ready for careers through a new initiative that connects youth with industry-recognized foodservice credentials and hands-on workforce experience.The Beyond Ready Foodservice Industry Credential Program will help...
Illinois 4-H youth showcase skill and precision at state meat judging contest
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H members demonstrated their knowledge of meat science and evaluation at the 2026 Illinois 4-H State Meat Judging Contest held March 6 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Meat Science Laboratory in Urbana. A total of 56 4-H members...
Illinois 4-H names new class of statewide youth leaders
Champaign, IL – Thirty-nine outstanding 4-H members from across Illinois have been selected to serve on Illinois 4-H's ambassador teams, recognizing their dedication, leadership, and excellence within the...
Microwave frying can help lower oil content for healthier French fries
URBANA, Ill. — Fried foods are popular with consumers, but their high fat content can contribute to health challenges like obesity and hypertension. If the food industry can offer lower-fat options of similar quality, people can more easily make health-conscious food choices.Researchers...
