4-H Videos Offer Exciting Challenges
University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth educators Katrina Galati and Rachel Hazen have created a series of exciting and fun challenges and experiments for youth to participate in.
The videos are 2 – 5 minutes long and...
How Can Parents Help Children Cope with COVID-19 Disruptions?
Parents often believe that children are either too young to be aware of what’s going on or that talking about the pandemic will upset them needlessly. Should parents initiate conversations or take cues from their children about whether to discuss the coronavirus and why...
Protecting Pollinators When Using Pesticides
Spring is a time for pollinators like honeybees, native bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and moths to begin to visit our landscape flowers. At the same time, we also have nuisance pests emerging. In order to allow pollinators to continue to do their job and to control pests we should consider a...
Are murder hornets here in Illinois; not likely
URBANA, Ill. - There has been a recent surge of interest in an invasive insect pest, the Asian Giant Hornet (AGH), or Vespa mandarinia. AGHs are the largest hornets in the world and are identifiable by their size and distinct bright yellow or orange heads. While well known for their large...
Extension Webinars Offered May 11 to May 22
Extension webinars offered May 11 to May 22
University of Illinois Extension helps individuals, families, farmers, businesses, and communities solve local...
Farmers struggle with processing plant closures; What COVID-19 means for your dinner table
URBANA, Ill. – Headlines about dairy farms dumping milk and livestock being euthanized are a sharp contrast to empty meat cases. The novel coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the nation’s food supply chain, resulting in increased prices for panicked shoppers and major losses for Illinois farmers...
Let's Talk Money webinars encourage financial dialogue
When it comes to talking about money, a lack of financial knowledge and the uneasiness of discussing sensitive issues keeps some people silent and risks the financial health of many families.
Let's Talk Money is a free 8-week online series offered by...
Beginning Vegetable Gardening Webinar - May 15
Are you interested in learning more about starting a vegetable garden? Join University of Illinois Extension Educator Grace Margherio on Friday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m. to discover how to have a productive home vegetable garden.
The program will discuss selecting a garden site...
University of Illinois Extension offers Horticulture Webinars
University of Illinois Extension is offering a series for Horticulture Webinars that you can listen to from home. Upcoming topics will include:
New Perennial Garden Theory —May 12 at 1:30 pm
Creating a Pollinator Garden for Small Spaces —May 19 at 1:30 pm
Illinois Monarch...
Change the way you see salad: meals, sides and desserts
Celebrate National Salad Month with Tips from U of I Extension
Whether it’s your main entrée, side dish or even dessert, salads can be an easy, nourishing staple in your household’s meal plan.
“For many people, salads may not seem exciting or enticing,” says...
Familiar tale: Victims of emerald ash borer and other exotic pests
URBANA, Ill. – The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has plagued native ash trees in Illinois since 2006. This pest was first introduced in 2002 around the Detroit area and rapidly spread across Michigan and Indiana to infect most of Illinois today....
Revive your compost pile after winter
URBANA, Ill. – If you haven’t touched your compost bin or pile all winter, don’t worry, you are not alone! ...
Start your spring landscape clean up
URBANA, Ill. – After the 2019 growing season, there is likely leftover landscape clean up needed besides the usual spring yard work....
Pollinator support tips for gardeners and homeowners
URBANA, Ill. – Pollinators have been in the news a lot the last few years due to their population declines. About 75% of all plant species are pollinated by animals and 90% of flowering plants, so pollinators are important parts of our ecosystems, says Ken Johnson, University of Illinois...
Start herb seeds indoors
URBANA, Ill. – Herbs are a favorite in most gardens, but transplants can be expensive. As an economical alternative, consider starting seeds indoors in early spring as warmer weather approaches.
Herbs can be started in March and be ready for transplanting into the garden in May,...
Extension continues transition to online webinars, 4-H shows, events
URBANA, Ill. – As Illinois residents contemplate the impact of the coronavirus health pandemic on summer plans, University of Illinois Extension has released updated guidelines for Extension sponsored events and activities. The new guidelines continue to focus on the safety of event participants...
Farmers needed for paid cover crop trial
URBANA, Ill. - Illinois farmers willing to participate in a paid cover crop demonstration trial are needed beginning in fall 2020. Participation is now open.
The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program partners with university researchers and...
Keep your garden producing all season
HILLSBORO, Ill. - Learn to keep your garden healthy and productive throughout the growing season. Four free online webinars will give practical tips about gardening, including tips on landscape safety, mulching, container gardens, and beneficial garden bugs.
The hour-long Good...
