Illinois Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Land-Grant Impacts

Mitigating fungal contamination of cereal grains with light

Fungal contamination threatens food security and public health and causes significant economic losses, especially in cereal crops. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum are particularly impactful, with Fusarium alone causing over $300 million in annual U.S. losses. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that far-ultraviolet-C light (222-nanometer wavelength) effectively kills these fungi without harming grain quality. This treatment, safe [...]

Food Security, Story 2025, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Crop Management, Food Safety, Food Security, Illinois, North Central, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

a scientist shows off a potato in a field

Breeding spuds to take the heat

Heat waves are becoming more common, and common crops are struggling to keep up. One problem is a photosynthetic glitch known as photorespiration, which occurs at a greater rate in some plants like potato crops exposed to hot conditions. The reason: An enzyme key to the process of photosynthesis mistakes oxygen for carbon dioxide during photorespiration, wasting energy and [...]

Food Security, Story 2025, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Crop Management, Food Security, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, North Central, Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Illinois researchers use designer biochar to tackle nutrient pollution

Farmers apply fertilizer to crops to help them grow, but nitrogen and phosphorus in those fertilizers can seep from fields into adjacent waterways and degrade water quality. Once in waterways, nitrogen and phosphorus pose threats to drinking water supplies and to habitat for aquatic organisms. They can also contribute to harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers at [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2025, Biofuels/Bioproducts, Illinois, North Central, Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Water Resilience/Management

Illinois Extension program prepares youths for the real world

Young people often don’t have a grasp of how much money it takes to cover necessities like food and bills. At a time when many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, money management strategies are more important than ever. The 4-H Welcome to the Real World program, offered through the University of Illinois Extension 4-H team, opens young people’s eyes to [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Economic Development, Extension, Illinois, North Central, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Youth Development/4-H

Illinois program prepares high schoolers for college success

Getting a college degree can significantly boost one’s career and income prospects. But many students who start college drop out and don’t finish — a phenomenon many experts believe stems from barriers to accessing resources that could aid their academic success. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for high schoolers who intend to apply for college to never actually do so, [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Extension, Illinois, North Central, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

Virtual programs support healthy lifestyles

Programs that support healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical activity and mental health, provide critical education, support and resources for many residents. COVID-19 forced programs online and the Land-grant University System continues offering online options to positively impact residents and support their healthy lifestyles. Virtual programs offer greater flexibility for participants, allowing more to engage in and benefit from the [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary Child and Family Resilience, Extension, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Indiana, North Central, Purdue University, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

two people look in a box of food at a food pantry

Food security resources for local communities

Limited access to healthy food options can lead to problems such as poor health, chronic illness, child development and family instability. Food pantries can help people who lack adequate food resources access a range of products locally. By connecting food pantries with resources, land-grant universities are helping communities better serve those in need. Here are a few examples of that [...]

Food Security, Summary 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, New York, North Central, Northeast, Southern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota, Western

Creating new, sustainable products from agricultural waste and biomass

Petroleum and other nonrenewable materials are commonly used for plastics, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other products we use on a daily basis. But many of these products can be made from biomass, including food and agricultural wastes. Bioproducts offer a way to improve energy security, food security and national security while also cutting back on fossil fuel-related pollution [...]

Energy and Bioproducts, Summary 1890, 2024, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Auburn University, Biofuels/Bioproducts, California, Clemson University, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Forest Protection and Management, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Research, Soil Health, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of California, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Waste Management, Western, Wisconsin

Sustainable energy to meet growing demands

Non-renewable energy sources are limited, and demand is growing. Fossil-fuel based energy production and use contribute significantly to pollution and changes in our climate. Improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources is essential to meeting growing demand and can lower energy bills, create new jobs and promote rural prosperity. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels can improve national security [...]

Energy and Bioproducts, Summary 2024, Biofuels/Bioproducts, California, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Extension, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Research, Southern, University of California, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Waste Management, Western

Crowdsourced data impact industrial hemp operations

In 2018, domestic hemp production became legal in the United States for the first time in nearly 70 years. Industrial hemp can be grown to produce fiber, grain and cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids (CBD and CBG, for example) determine profitability potential, while one cannabinoid (THC) determines compliance. Growers must grow hemp crops which test below 0.3% THC to be compliant [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story Crop Management, Fiber Systems, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State University, Profitability/Competitiveness, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

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