Lawn & Garden

Illinois FFA members received prestigious awards for the development of their outstanding projects during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Cabbages are not exactly the typical big university landscaping, but at Northern Illinois University, cabbages — and other vegetables, fruits and herbs — are the first step in what could be a food revolution.

Chef Bryan Flower hurries toward one of the raised “free-to-pick” vegetable, flower and herb beds that flank Neptune North residence and dining hall on the Northern Illinois University campus in DeKalb.

Volunteers built a high tunnel with Purdue Extension in Lake County — the first phase of a new demonstration garden for the community in northern Indiana.

An Illinois State University organics class toured a farm and milling facility to see up close the field-to-bag process.

A garden tool that will be making an appearance in many yards and gardens can also help prevent combine fires.

Johnson Tractor, a premier provider of agricultural and construction equipment, announced the acquisition of St. Joseph Equipment’s locations in La Crosse and Richland Center in western Wisconsin.

When Doug Hanson returned to his home county to teach high school agriculture in 2001, he saw a trend in the local economy and wanted to try to make a difference.

A desire to garden and grow food has developed into a cut flower farm for Anna Guziak-Prochnicka.

Sometimes, you just need to let the rest of the world go and enjoy those moments that bring you joy.

Summer is in full swing on Clay Geyer’s home fields, where he’s on the lookout for — and has already found — some plant diseases and weeds.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates more than 10 million acres will be converted to solar energy by 2050, and the American Farmland Trust projects over 80% could be sited on agricultural lands.

Corteva Agriscience is not only innovating to ensure a safe, nutritious and affordable food supply. Employees are getting their hands dirty in a garden and donating the produce, honey and flowers to others in need.

Wet and hot conditions in northern Illinois are impacting crop growth, as well as providing an opportunity for increased disease pressure this year.

As farmers, we know that healthy soil is an important foundation for everything we grow. It is critical to productivity.

Whether you live in an urban or rural area, lawn mower safety is important — especially for young people.

Lake County 4-H members Sebastian Rzadkosz and Avalyn Humbert built a raised garden bed at Luxe Life Senior Living and Memory Care in Crown Point.

The Stars Over Illinois announcement of the top four FFA members in the state was just one of numerous highlights of the 96th Illinois FFA State Convention held in the state’s capital city.

Summer break is just around the corner, but learning is always in season. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is abuzz with resources, activities and literacy items for learners of all ages.

Five district winners for the Star in Agribusiness award will be honored on the stage of the Illinois FFA State Convention.

The winner of the Star in Agricultural Placement award will be announced during the Wednesday afternoon session of the Illinois FFA State Convention starting at 2 p.m.

It has become customary this time of year for me to offer up some advice in this column with soon-to-be-newly-minted high school and college graduates.

Indiana Farm Bureau awarded scholarships to three young women pursuing careers in agriculture.

As trees, shrubs, perennials and insects enter a new phase of life in our gardens, we, too, emerge from a type of dormancy in spring, a pause from yard work. Well, buckle up, buttercups. It’s showtime.

I recently started my seeds — tomatoes, squash, zucchini, beets, various herbs and beans. They barely fit on my kitchen counter, which becomes a transient nursery every spring.

This is my favorite time of the year. It is the time when new life is created.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production.

April is the perfect time to get to work on your home garden.

Bethany Community Gardens is offering several free gardening classes this spring with a free meal included.

Bob Evans Restaurants announced its 2024 Supervised Agricultural Experience Grant recipients with 12 high school students from across the Midwest.

When members of Western Illinois University’s Ag Mech Club arrive early on Friday morning to set up the Farm Expo, they won’t just be showing up for a club activity. They’ll be showing up for prospective employers.

One of my annual routines to kick off a new year is to replace our big family calendar that is posted in our mudroom and begin filling it out.

Human trafficking is not just a problem in other countries. It’s happening right here, in communities across Indiana.

The Fort Wayne Farm Show is back in full force for its 35th year. Tradexpos will present the annual farm show Jan. 16-18 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, located at 4000 Parnell Ave. in Fort Wayne.

For Austin Granby, a decision to end a fun-filled vacation early, in favor of hitting the books, paid off.

Blueberries, pumpkins, apples and tomatoes are all on the agenda for the 28th annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference on Feb. 19 at NIU-Rockford in Rockford.

It has been a blessed Christmas season. The halls are decked, presents have been wrapped and you can hear Faron Young singing Christmas carols when you step in the backdoor of our house.

The best holiday gifts for gardeners are the ones that keep their minds in the dirt, even during the off-season.

Southern staples like magnolia trees and camellias may now be able to grow without frost damage in once-frigid Boston.

Keishia and Brent McKillip of McKillip Machinery have joined forces with Bush Hog in its give-back campaign, “Kickin’ Cancer in the Grass.”

What does “vigorous physical activity” mean? Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it means the hard stuff, like playing basketball or singles tennis, or swimming laps or running, ideally for 75 minutes per week.

The work that Lance Moritz has invested in his family farm has resulted in national recognition as a finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement achievement award.

The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program has named Amanda Stanko, a STEM and preschool teacher with Corpus Christi Catholic School in Bloomington, as the 2024 IAITC Teacher of the Year.

Plevna Implement Company is celebrating the grand opening of a new location in Garrett. Plevna is a family-owned, full-line Massey Ferguson farm equipment dealership.

Kelly Birkey likes to set up a vendor booth at the Half Century of Progress and the Historic Farm Days shows to visit with the people.

Who knew that false indigo and alfalfa had a common enemy? Not me, that is until recently when I had an encounter with Epicauta fabricii, more commonly known as the ash-gray blister beetle.

Explore a century of farming at the 42nd annual Mill Road Thresherman Show, a working tractor show scheduled Aug. 10-13 at the Effingham County Fairgrounds in Altamont.

Well, I think we may have a crop after all. I hope everyone got their much-needed rain by now. Since I plant later than most, none of my crop had seen any rain except a couple half-tenth events until the end of June.

Lincoln Land Community College dedicated its newest learning space, 2.1 acres of land at 2320 West Lake Shore Drive, now known as West Lake Nature Grove.

So many things in this old world feel a bit off kilter these days. It reminds me of lyrics from an old Willie Nelson song, “At a time when the world seems to be spinnin’ hopelessly out of control…”