Latest news with #UniversityofIllinoisExtension
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
U of I Extension hosting annual agriculture contest for high school students
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois Extension is hosting a contest for high school students interested in a career in agriculture, specifically within the agronomy sector. It's the Illinois Youth Crop Scouting Competition. The one-day contest tests students on topics like weeds, insects, disease identification, corn and soybean growth stages, pesticide application, and integrated pest management. From the Farm: USDA Planting Intentions Report It will take place Aug. 4, and will be open to 10 high school teams. 'It's exciting when youth and teams return year after year wanting to place higher or earn more points at a certain station,' Meagan Diss, competition coordinator and commercial ag specialist with Illinois Extension, said. 'That truly shows the impact of the event and dedication the youth have to keep growing.' University staff will judge the students to determine results, and the top four teams will win cash prizes sponsored by industry and university partners — $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third and $100 for fourth. In addition, the top two teams will advance to represent Illinois at the regional competition hosted this year in Iowa. Millikin University, Illinois Central College streamline transfer process 'University researchers and Extension experts always look forward to the annual event for the conversations and questions youth bring with them,' Diss said. 'It's truly an unmatched experience for networking, educational opportunity, and personal growth while having fun.' The competition will be open to high school students in grades 9 through 12 in the spring 2025 semester. Official teams include two to five students and an adult coach. Teams are encouraged to sign up prior to the end of the current school year, as space is limited to 10 total teams. For event details or to register teams, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign volunteers leap into action with FrogWatch training
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — It's springtime, which means we'll soon see plenty of birds in the sky, but also some amphibians in the ponds. The University of Illinois Extension hosted a FrogWatch training class today. The community science program teaches volunteers how to collect scientific data on frogs and toads. It helps scientists nationwide improve and monitor conservation practices. When should I clean up my garden? Illinois Extension has answers: Extension educator Karla Griesbaum said the class learned different frog sounds. 'A big part of this training was to practice all these calls,' Griesbaum said. 'There are 12 in this area. And so we went through each call, we worked on using all of your senses in order to recognize each call and to differentiate them. And then they had to take an assessment at the end to see if they remembered them all today. But then they can also go online later after practicing and do it then as well.' 34 people showed up, with more participating online. Griesbaum said if you missed today's class, the online option is always open. They will also host another field training on June 4th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
16-02-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Seed swap in St. Charles offers gardeners a chance to think about spring
Meagan Parks of St. Charles knows that despite the recent plunge in temperatures and accumulation of snow, that spring is still right around the corner and that means gardening. 'I love to garden. This is our second year coming, and we learned you have to get here early,' Meagan said as she and her husband walked among a number of tables inside the St. Charles Public Library's annual Seed Swap and Seed Library Kickoff event on Saturday. 'People line up 45 minutes before the event. Last year, we took home a lot of native plants as we just bought our home a few years ago, but we also got vegetables and herbs.' Visitors to the event were able to pick up 'more than 150 different heirloom seed varieties, free of charge, to grow and enjoy,' organizers said. A press release from the library noted that 'all of the seeds available are heirloom or open-pollinated, meaning that once saved and planted again, they will grow into the same type of plant. The library is one of the first public libraries in Illinois to lend heirloom seeds.' Brandon Buckley, reference librarian, said he has overseen the program since 2014 and that it is offered in conjunction with the Master Gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension, which has a location in St. Charles. 'I'm not an expert when it comes to gardening, and I want visitors to have good information and people that can give them the gardening know-how,' Buckley explained. Seeds for the program are purchased by the library from companies, Buckley said, adding that they also 'get some from local gardeners – the master gardeners, especially, because they know what they're doing.' 'We get some also from library patrons, too,' he said. 'I think in every community there's a subset of just passionate gardeners. It's what they like to do and if you have hundreds of tomato seeds, what are you going to do? I like it because in the library world, it's about sharing and I like that aspect of it.' Last year's Seed Swap and Seed Library Kickoff event drew about 150 people, and since the pandemic, Buckley has seen a rise in interest in the program. 'Since COVID, there's been more interest. The first 10 years I don't think we ever ran out of seeds but then during COVID and after it was the first time we ever ran out,' he said. 'I think we had over 10,000 packets of seeds last year which was by far the most we've ever given out. People got into the habit during the pandemic and things like groceries have gotten more expensive.' The seed swap room was packed within minutes of opening Saturday with gardening fans moving among the tables. Meagan Parks' husband Andrew said he 'was excited last year to grow native grasses and doing the landscaping.' 'As we said, we moved in a few years ago and we're still establishing that,' he said. 'We learned a lot since last year about composting which was a game changer and there is so much to learn in terms of the timing and when you can plant things.' Kristina Fann of Campton Hills said while she has not been to the St. Charles event before, 'I have gone to a number of seed swaps.' 'I think the selection is great. I like cottage gardening. I like to do all the flowers and my husband likes to do the peppers – he likes hot peppers,' Fann said. 'My kids do cucumbers and I've been sent with a list.' Kasia Zarow of St. Charles said she came the past two years to the seed giveaway and 'loves the selection.' 'The past two years, we've been planting our entire community garden just based on this seed swap and we also plant the seeds at home,' Zarow explained as her son Jake Jakubowski, 9, filled a bag with seeds. 'We must have taken 30 different seeds home last year as there is a lot of variety.' Jake said he himself is also into gardening and likes raising 'pumpkins and also tomatoes.' 'I like gardening, but it's very hard work,' he said. The ongoing seed library is available any time the library is open. For more information, stop by the Research and Reading Desk, or call 630-584-0076, Ext. 1.
