Reduce impact of extreme temperatures on power grid
URBANA, Ill. - The National Weather Service reports that portions of the Midwest have experienced record-breaking, early-season heat, including numerous record highs and heat index values above 105 degrees....
Feed your community by safely donating homegrown fruits, vegetables
URBANA, Ill. – When home gardens are bursting with an overabundance of fresh produce, growers start looking for ways to share their bounty. Backyard gardeners can help feed their community by donating fruits and vegetables to local food pantries.
Growers planning on...
Guide outlines steps to take when pesticide drift occurs
URBANA, Ill. – Pesticides assist in managing pests. People should use precise application techniques detailed on the label so they don’t endanger people, pets, livestock, plants, and the environment.
Damage can occur when pesticide drifts from its intended location onto...
Illinois State Fair cancels live poultry shows to protect from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today both junior and open live shows at the Illinois State Fair will be canceled for 2022 to protect from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Illinois State Fair junior poultry exhibitors will continue to have an...
Microclovers making a comeback as lawns grow in biodiversity
URBANA, Ill. – Clovers are making a comeback in lawn seed mixes. Today many families want to attract more pollinators to their yards. They are searching for ecologically sound ways to grow grass, including adding white clover back to the turf seed mix. Clover adds diversity to lawns and...
Protect the delicate balance of our natural world
URBANA, Ill. – The impact of human activity on the planet is revealing itself in the soil, rivers, streams, and lakes. Three free online University of Illinois Extension webinars this summer will focus on the impact environmental changes with water and soil can have on the long-term health of...
To outsmart weeds in the garden, take multiple approaches
URBANA, Ill. – As gardeners know, weeds will grow nearly anywhere. Even cracks in the pavement can sustain plant life if there is soil, water, and light. Whether a plant is considered a weed depends on how it is affecting the intended use of the site and who is looking at it....
Farmers: What do you need to know about ecosystem market opportunities?
URBANA, Ill. – To best serve the ag industry, the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, an independent resource for farmers and their advisers on carbon market opportunities, considerations, and developments, is asking for input on what aspects...
Funds available to districts to replace school buses
URBANA, Ill. – Federal funding is now available for replacing older dirty school buses with cleaner vehicles, including electric school buses. University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network are collaborating on a free online webinar...
Paddle Devil’s Kitchen Lake during Kayak Botany Tour
URBANA, Ill. – There's much to learn about the native plants and trees near the shores of Illinois' lakes. University of Illinois Extension and the Southern Chapter of the Illinois Native...
Addressing inequities to create a vital STEM workforce in Illinois
URBANA, Ill – A collaborative effort between the University of Illinois School of Social Work and Illinois Extension is working to address social inequities that negatively impact the vitality of the...
Cover crops not enough to improve soil after decades of continuous corn
URBANA, Ill. – Although about 20% of Illinois cropping systems are planted to continuous corn, it’s nearly impossible to find fields planted this way for decades at a time. Yet long-term experiments like one at the University of Illinois, including over 40 years of continuous corn...
$3.9M USDA NIFA grant funds ‘Farm of the Future’
Urbana, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is funding a new collaboration between two institutes and a research center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that will create an integrated farm of the future in the U.S. Midwest.
Titled “I-...
Researchers: Farmers know tick risks; now is time to take preventative actions
URBANA, Ill. – Ticks, once limited to the northeast region of the United States, are making a westward migration across the U.S. and with them, tickborne diseases that cost the healthcare system up to $1.3 billion a year to treat. Exposure to ticks can happen anywhere - from backyards to parks...
Summer is upon us: Is your swimming pool safe?
SpRINGFIELD, Ill. — Summer is almost here, and that means spending more time outdoors. To cool down, many take a dip in a pool. Or to relax in the evening, a hot tub provides a nice way to soothe aching muscles.
One aspect of owning a pool or hot tub that can be overlooked is its...
Bugs can be a solution for high-tunnel farmers
SIMPSON, Ill. – More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to benefit from the extended growing season, increased crop diversity, higher yields, and improved quality. But high tunnels come with their own unique challenges including insect pests that can cause major...
Rethinking Agronomy Day at U of I means pop-up events and more
URBANA, Ill. – In its 65th year, the University of Illinois’ “Agronomy Day” is a day no more. Instead, the Department of Crop Sciences, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental...
