New U of I farm apprenticeship turns out veggies and well-equipped farmers
URBANA, Ill. – A new University of Illinois program will train beginner specialty crop growers in every aspect of farm operation and management. The year-long Illinois Small Farm Apprenticeship Program offers new farmers opportunities to learn by doing and to deepen that experiential knowledge...
Community gardens fight food insecurity close to home
URBANA, Ill. - Illinois is home to some of the most fertile soils in the world. No one should go hungry here. Every year, Illinois Extension staff and Master Gardener volunteers around the state fight food insecurity with fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden.
By working with local...
New translation specialist improves Extension’s outreach to multilingual communities
URBANA, Ill. – For more than 100 years, University of Illinois Extension has translated on-campus research into practical tools and information to help communities across the state solve problems. Now, that power of translation will give multilingual communities in Illinois full access to...
Avoid injury, fines, power outages by calling 811 before digging
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — National Safe Digging Day, or 811 Day, is upon us. Easy to remember because of its 8/11 date, the day is a good reminder to get underground utilities marked prior to breaking ground. Having utilities marked is free and easy to do; simply call 811 two to three business days...
More than 80 pumpkin varieties to be featured at Field Day
URBANA, Ill. – Commercial pumpkin growers can enhance production practices at the upcoming University of Illinois Extension Pumpkin Field Day. The event begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at Eckert’s Orchard near Belleville.
Register by Aug. 29 at...
Overwhelmed by garden produce? Pickle it!
URBANA, Ill. – Sour, sweet, bread and butter, Kosher dills, spears, chips, or slices on a sandwich, or as a snack or side dish – pickles are everywhere. For home gardeners with an abundance of cucumbers and other produce, pickling is a great way to preserve your bounty.
While cucumbers...
Give monarch butterflies something to munch on, plant native milkweeds
URBANA, Ill. – Imagine eating only one type of food your entire life. Your survival depends entirely on being able to find this food. This is the challenge monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, face every day as landscapes change nationwide and fewer native plants are available. But home...
Tips to harvest garden vegetables at peak quality, flavor
URBANA, Ill. – Whether you started your first garden this year or are a veteran grower, we’re coming up on the heart of harvest season. One of the advantages of homegrown vegetables is that you can harvest produce at its peak quality and flavor.
But knowing when to harvest a crop can be...
Head to Orr Agricultural Center July 20 for an agronomy-focused field day
As summer 2022 rolls on, so do the events of this year’s University of Illinois Agronomy Days. Farmers in the know are keeping a close watch on the summer-long calendar of events providing practical, research-based information...
Extension finds common ground, connects public with agriculture
URBANA, Ill. - Whether large commercial agriculture operations, small farms, or community and backyard gardens, the future of our food supply relies on the use of practices that boost production and capacity. Illinois growers at all levels benefit from effective, efficient, and sustainable...
Midwestern farmer feedback requested to guide $10M resilient agriculture project
URBANA, Ill. – The Diverse Corn Belt project is seeking farmer input through focus groups and in-field research. This is a multidisciplinary project exploring alternative crops, longer rotations, integrating livestock and perennials that could help increase resilience in Midwest agriculture....
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 donating to...
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 adjacent fields...
Midwestern hemp database applications open until July 24
URBANA, Ill. – Industrial hemp is one of the fasting growing crops across Midwestern fields and researchers are recruiting producers in the race to learn more.
University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educators are working with...
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...
Crop scientists explore using predator insects to eat pests in high tunnels
URBANA, Ill. – Crouched between rows of tomatoes and peppers tucked inside a high tunnel, researchers pluck insects off plants in the name of science. Because to catch a pest, you may have to release a predator.
The flourishing local foods movement is driving more Illinois farmers to...
Pelleted seed gives gardeners a sown in advantage
URBANA, Ill. – Have you noticed the windowed packets of seeds at garden centers with brightly colored “seeds”? These pelleted seeds are small or irregular seed that have a specialized inert coating applied to improve planting, spacing, and germination. Often the coating, which increases the...
