Tag: University of Illinois Extension

man holding plant

How to stop invasive plants from taking over the prairie state

  CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – Illinois is called the prairie state because a few centuries ago, it was mostly prairie land, filled with thousands with different types of plants. Now, those native plants are locked into a competition with invasives. Ryan Pankau is the Horticulture Educator for Illinois Extension.  The forester said honeysuckle is the biggest plant threat to

SNAP-Ed pays workers so little that some qualify for food benefits themselves

CHAMPAIGN — Del Jacobs likes almost everything about her job. As a SNAP-Ed community worker in Illinois, she likes getting to know the regulars at local food pantries and teaching them about healthy eating on a budget. She likes working with children, especially since she doesn’t have any kids of her own. What she doesn’t

New Community Food Map Aims To Help Food Insecure Families

URBANA – A University of Illinois Extension team has designed a map for people to locate food resources in their zip codes. It’s tailored to families and individuals who struggle to afford food. Included on the map are grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food pantries, and school and summer meal sites. The map also pinpoints Supplemental