Butterflies can eat to live, live to eat in a balanced garden
URBANA, Ill. — A favorite thing about visiting gardens in the summer is catching sight of a butterfly enjoying nectar from a brightly colored zinnia or a monarch caterpillar munching on a milkweed leaf. When designing a butterfly garden, expand and balance plant selection to provide more than...
Field Day event plans to keep beef cattle producers up on trends for their herds
URBANA, Ill. — Beef cattle producers will gain insights and stay up to date on current research from cow/calf patterns to alternative forages and more at the Orr Beef Research Center's Field Day on September 6. The meeting will be held at the John Wood Community College Ag Center located...
Build drought-tolerant gardens this fall for next summer’s blooms
URBANA, Ill. — Many Illinois gardens are entering the fall stressed from the lack of summer rains combined with scorching hot temperatures. These conditions easily stress some plants; however, many plants quickly adapt to hot, dry conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are not only tough and...
Build privacy with plants for secret gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Plants serve a lot of purposes in the landscape. One of which is to add some privacy. Screening plants can help define and give purpose to a space. Homeowners may wish to screen a particular area or transparency in the landscape, creating interest in what lies beyond. ...
Illinois Extension investing in the future of farming across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Helping Illinois farmers grow thriving crops and livestock has always been at the heart of University of Illinois Extension’s mission. Using feedback received from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders through a 2022 survey,...
Extraordinary 4-H volunteers honored
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois 4-H empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Fifty-three volunteers were recently honored by Illinois 4-H for their selfless dedication to the University of Illinois...
Money management strategies to help young adults achieve financial wellness
College can be an exciting time of self-discovery and growth, but it's also a time to face new financial challenges that produce anxiety and stress. To manage this, it's best to start early to build good financial habits that will ensure a solid future, learn how to make the most of financial...
Illinois AgrAbility will host health, safety tent at 2023 Farm Progress Show
DECATUR, Ill. — Illinois AgrAbility will host a health and safety tent at the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 29-31 in Decatur. The aim is to provide health and safety resources to farmers and the agricultural community, as well as access to free health screenings and services. Health and Safety...
Make flowers and memories last forever with drying for design
URBANA, Ill. — A great way to enjoy flowers with family and friends is to harvest and preserve them. The popularity of dried and pressed flowers has turned an old hobby into a renewed interior design and art trend. Who has not pressed that lucky four-leaf clover between a couple of pages of...
Master Gardener program offers online training options
URBANA, Ill. — For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to...
Illinois Extension shares expertise in congressional briefing on national nutrition and health
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Fetterman (PA) and U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-15) joined the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on Wednesday, July 19, in the Capital Visitor Center for a briefing on the role of U.S....
How to grow tropical ginger for at-home spice
URBANA, Ill. — Growing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the backyard can seem like a lot of work, but at the end of the season, the bountiful, tasty harvest is worth it. The International Herb Association named ginger (Zingiber...
