Conservation tillage practices, such as no-till and reduced till, are critical for sustainable agriculture, and they are gradually becoming popular with farmers across the Midwest. Monitoring tillage usage can provide insights into soil health, water levels, and nutrient loss, as well as guide management and policy decisions. 

What started as an at-home kitchen hobby has grown into something much bigger: Steepers Only, a Chicago-based tea company founded by Angelica Lee. Each batch she blends is more than just a drink; it's a celebration of the people and places that have shaped her life and gotten her to where she is now.

Lee’s entrepreneurial spark was lit early. She grew up in Chicago and watched her mother run a post-construction cleaning business.

Editor's Note: This story was updated on April 22 to better reflect the five degrees Gregg BeVier earned from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

At this spring's commencement, ACES graduates will hear from a five-time Illinois alum whose impact has been felt around the world. Veterinary scientist and business leader Gregg BeVier will share how he leveraged his enduring passion for animal science to develop innovative technologies and help feed hungry families across India and Africa.

In the largest genomic study of African elephants to date, an international team of researchers analyzed 232 whole genomes from both savanna and forest elephants, collected across 17 African countries. This is the first large-scale, continent-wide genetic study since African elephants were recognized as two separate species. To achieve this herculean task, the researchers used samples that have been biobanked during previous genetic research more than 30 years ago and generated high-quality genomes through the iConserve program of the biotechnology company Illumina.

When the semester ends this May, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will say goodbye to one of its most beloved professors. Paul Stoddard is retiring after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the university and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. 

For generations, the agricultural industry has been contextualized over the airwaves.

And for many, that voice was Orion Samuelson.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a substantial reorganization of the Forest Service, moving its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah, and closing its existing regional offices. According to the announcement, the move is designed to move leadership “closer to the forests and communities it serves.” 

URBANA, Ill. — The agricultural and biological engineering graduate program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is once again ranked No. 4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign each year presents Campus Awards for Excellence in Instruction to exceptional faculty and staff members, graduate teaching assistants and advisors campuswide. The recipients were honored at a March 25 ceremony.

Awardees are cited for sustained excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate teaching, undergraduate and graduate advising and mentoring, online teaching and research guidance. The Office of the Provost sponsors the awards. 

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has named Benjamin Quirke the recipient of the 2026 Robert M. Harrison Leadership Award for demonstrating strong leadership and engagement through his involvement in student organizations and professional experiences within the college.