University of Illinois Extension - AJMPU Unit

08/31/2026

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP!

Ready to BLAST some trash out of the Forest?!

Join us for our Trash Blast this Friday, September 4, from 1–3 p.m. at Bean Ridge!

Come lend a hand, enjoy some time outdoors, and help us keep the Forest beautiful! Every set of hands makes a difference.

🗓️ Friday, September 4
⏰ 1–3 p.m.
📍 Bean Ridge

Sign up today on the event page: Click the link below.

Come help us BLAST this trash out of the Forest!

We hope to see you there!

08/28/2026

A lawn is more than "grass," it's a living system, and deciding how to take care of, or not take care of, your lawn is complicated.

• Why do we have lawns? The neatly clipped lawn originated in wealthy English countryside estates in the 1700s. In the U.S., they took off with the rise of new suburban home developments after WWII.

• What's the purpose of a lawn? In the home landscape, lawns are a place for people to gather and for pets and children to play. They can also be fairly low maintenance. And from a mental health perspective, a lawn is a simple "void," and gazing at it allows the brain to rest.

• What's the problem with lawns? The U.S. has many acres of lawn that used to be agricultural or natural spaces. The monoculture of most turfgrasses (non-native, cool-season grasses for most of Illinois) offers little benefit to wildlife. Many seek "the perfect lawn," pristine with no weeds, which requires a lot of money, time, and materials.

• Can lawns contribute ecologically? Yes! You have a few options: have less lawn, reduce inputs, and make space for a "messy" lawn.

Explore more with the Everyday Environment team in a blog and podcast conversation about lawns and non-turfgrass options with horticulture educator Chris Enroth at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/everyday-environment.

With: University of Illinois Extension Henderson, Knox, McDonough, & Warren Co.

08/26/2026

A great morning at the Union County 4-H Livestock show! 🍀

Students were up bright and early on Wednesday, Aug. 25 to kick off the annual 4-H Livestock Show at the Union County Fair.

08/25/2026

We would like to thank Friends of the Shawnee National Forest for their sponsorship of SI Made Expo

08/25/2026

The Illinois 4-H 2026 State Shoots registration is open!

Register anytime before August 31 through your 4-H ZSuite account for upcoming State Shoots! Junior Division is for youth ages 11-12 by September 1, and Senior Division is for youth ages 13-18 by September 1.

Air Rifle: September 12, 2026, in Bloomington, IL
Archery: September 19, 2026, in Pekin, IL
Shotgun: September 26, 2026, in Bunker Hill, IL
Small Bore Rifle: September 26, 2026, in Bunker Hill, IL
Small Bore Pistol: July-August, postal match

Registration and state shoot rules are here: go.illinois.edu/StateShoots

08/25/2026

Make plans to attend the sixth annual Southern Illinois Food Security Summit on September 1 at John A. Logan College to share questions and ideas to support healthy food access and nutrition security in southern Illinois. Food pantries, schools, healthcare providers, farmers, businesses, religious and community organizations, and community members interested in addressing food security are encouraged to attend. Learn more or register at www.sicf.org/feedsi/

Watch Extension Educator Toni Kay Wright on KFVS12 explain what the goal is, who the summit is for, and important parking information. https://www.kfvs12.com/2026/08/14/southern-illinois-food-security-summit-returns-jalc-campus-hunger-action-month/

08/24/2026

Trees are heavy lifters in the landscape - they provide shade, filter water, give wildlife food and a place to life and they increase home values. So they're worth investing in and taking care of! 🌳

Give trees a limb up
• Plant the right tree in the right place. Pick a tree that will thrive at a specific site, depending on sunlight, soil pH, root space, and how close it is to other structures. Trees take a long time to grow, so a planting problem may not be apparent for years.

• Maybe the problem isn't the pest. Pests and pathogens are often the symptoms of bigger problems. Trees with yellowing leaves, thinning branches, or splitting bark may be stressed and in a decline spiral.

• How can you diagnose a tree? Look at it from root to shoot.
- What's normal for that species? How old is it?
- Roots: Is a root flare visible above ground? Has there been construction nearby?
- Trunk and branches: Is there damage from mowers or animals? Are there cavities or splits?
- Foliage: Is it wilted or discolored? Dropping leaves early? Are there spots, holes, or bumps?

Explore more with the Everyday Environment team for a conversation about tree care with horticulture Educator Sarah Vogel at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/everyday-environment.

08/20/2026

A New 4-H Sign for the Union County Fair Foodstand!

We are excited to share that a new 4-H sign has been donated by the Bauer and Hileman families, both 4-H alumni, in gratitude for the many years of youth development programs at the Union County Fair!

A special THANK YOU to Barb Bauer for her leadership and dedication in helping make this project happen! We also appreciate Mike Yates and the Union County Fairground crew for getting the sign installed.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

Contact Kristi Stout at [email protected] with any questions.

08/19/2026

Let’s Kick Off a New 4-H Year!
We’re excited to invite our 4-H leaders and youth to our first 4-H Leaders Meeting of the 2026–2027 program year!
📅 Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
📍 L Atrium – Shawnee Community College
We have a full evening planned with important opportunities for both youth and leaders!
• Experience Award Application Workshop | 4–6 p.m.
Have a 4-H member interested in completing an Experience Award Application? Encourage them to attend this hands-on workshop! Youth will learn about the application process, get their questions answered and have time to work on their applications.
Experience Award Applications are due Oct. 2, 2026.
Bring your questions and application materials and take advantage of this great opportunity!
• 4-H Leaders Meeting | 6 p.m.
We’ll officially kick off the new 4-H year with important information, upcoming dates, expectations and updates for the 2026–2027 program year. A light supper will be served for leaders, giving everyone a chance to enjoy a meal and visit with fellow 4-H leaders.
• Livestock Meeting | 7 p.m.
If your club has members with livestock projects, we encourage you to stay for the livestock meeting! We’ll discuss important livestock information and expectations, reflect on this past year’s shows and begin planning for 2027.
We look forward to seeing you Sept. 15 as we begin another great year of Making the Best Better!
Email Kristi Stout if you have any questions. [email protected]

08/19/2026

Master Gardeners give back to their communities by helping others learn to grow. Are you passionate about gardening and looking to learn more, meet other gardening friends, and give back? Consider signing up for our fall hybrid training course!

Find more details at extension.illinois.edu/ajmpu/master-gardeners and reach out to Anne Townsend if interested at [email protected].