In the 16th century, St. Nick's counterpart, Krampus, was fictitiously known to gift naughty children coal in their stockings. By the early 1900s, coal grew in popularity as a gift, since many families used coal to heat their homes. While today most of us no longer receive coal in our stockings, it...

What do cover cropping in garden beds, companion planting of corn, beans, and squash, crafting herbal gifts at home, DIY sausage making, and sourdough bread making all have in common? Each of these practices empowers community members to boost self-sufficiency, enhance household resilience, and...

The Poinsettia, a vibrant red flower that graces our Christmas décor, has a rich history of cultivation and symbolism, beginning with the ancient Aztec people of Mexico, where it thrives as a tall perennial shrub, often growing over 10 feet in height in its native environment. Poinsettias have...

During the holiday season comes tasty food, festive decorations, and precious time spent with those dear to us. It also means an array of holiday plants in your home or office, like poinsettias, amaryllis, and holly. One plant that may not be on your holiday décor list, the holiday cactus, is a...

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while we might all celebrate differently, many of us are purchasing gifts for loved ones over the next few months. Before you start adding items to your shopping cart, here are some facts to consider about the environmental impact of holiday shopping...

U of I Extension, Rader Family Farms to host 2nd McLean Co. Pumpkin Smash to combat climate changeHalloween 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...

Which of the following statements are true?  There are hundreds of types of plastics.  Since the 1950s, global plastic production has grown by an average of 9% per year.  80% of grocery bags and more than 1/3 of entire plastic packaging production is for short term use by US...

As we head into the end of the growing and gardening season, it’s important to show your garden some love after it has provided all season long for you and yours. My preferred cover crop mix is oats, field peas, and tillage radish – seeded in late August or early September. But whether you missed...

Central IL Modern Homesteading and Self-Sufficiency Series ContinuesThe "Modern Homesteading & Self-Sufficiency" workshop series was launched by the University of Illinois Extension staff in Bloomington, Illinois on Wednesday, August 21st, from 5:00-7:30 PM at the McLean County...

Trees in neighborhoods enhance our environment by creating beautiful green landscapes, providing climbing fun for kids, and offering us shade on sunny days. More importantly, trees play vital roles in our ecosystems, including storing carbon, which is advantageous when discussing the management of...

The next installment of my tri-county farmer interview series brought me to Panter Ridge Farms, owned and operated by Ashley and Nathan Hodel. Their farm, in El Paso, IL, spans 23 acres and is surrounded by the rolling hills and valleys of the Mackinaw River watershed.   Ashley and...

July is the perfect summer month.  As a kid it was a month with no schoolwork, my favorite summer camp, and many days spent outside in the sun.  From playing in the backyard and visiting parks with friends, to days at the community pool, one of my favorite feelings was coming home and...

Around the world we see countries tapping into renewable energy as sustainability and innovation are becoming higher priorities. Investing in research on how we can better care for our earth and utilize renewable energy can reshape our lives for a cleaner and brighter future. However, the rate...

Fall-blooming plants help prolong the beauty of our gardens even after most plants have faded or finished blooming for the year. They provide a vital food source for pollinators that are still active, foraging to prepare for the winter when fewer flowers are in bloom. Both annual and perennial...

Embrace Self-Sufficiency: Kickstart Your Modern Homesteading AdventureHave you ever wanted to learn how to do any of the following?Make sourdough breadFerment vegetablesKeep bees or chickensCompost kitchen and yard wasteGrow better vegetablesStart a small family orchardParticipate...

Growing up, my family raised Holstein cattle, which my siblings and I have grown to love. Although this is a well-known dairy breed, my family did not raise Holsteins for milk; instead, my father raised bull calves from a few days old up to slaughter weight for beef production.  Most of the...

The stream water quality monitoring season may be ending, but it remains important to understand how we monitor our streams.   From May 1 to the end of June, River Watch volunteers from across the state wade into planned water sites to collect data on the stream’s appearance, turbidity,...

The soothing floral fragrance of lavender is easily recognized in any garden. Its silvery, serrated foliage and bluish-purple flowers both contain scented oil glands, making it uniquely fragrant. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the floral scent and prominent levels of nectar in the...

Succulents are among the easiest plants to grow, having adapted to hot, dry conditions by having the ability to store and conserve water in their fleshy stems and leaves. Whether you are looking to brighten up your home with a few potted succulents or create a stunning outdoor succulent garden,...