Jill Leahy, Jay Haning’s sister, describes her brother as a passionate farmer, a dedicated employee with an unmatched work ethic, a wise agribusiness man, a loyal, funny and generous friend; and a lover of life, laughter, and all things John Deere. A College of ACES endowed scholarship established by Jay’s family and friends honors him for all of these traits.

URBANA, Ill. – Adding soy flour to school lunches in Ghana provides a cost-efficient way of increasing the protein level, according to a new study co-authored by a University of Illinois researcher.

Soy is known to be a low-cost protein source, says Peter Goldsmith, professor of agricultural and consumer economics at the U of I. “But the thesis that soy is a good ingredient in a national school lunch program had yet to be proven, though everyone assumed it.”

URBANA, Ill. – At the southern tip of the Himalayas, farmers in the Kangra region of India’s Himachal Pradesh graze cattle among rolling hills and forests. The forests, under management by the state or farmer cooperatives, are thriving. But a new University of Illinois study shows, unlike state-managed forests, farmer cooperatives directly benefit both forest health and farmers.

To increase student and faculty engagement in France, the Office of International Programs in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) hosted a delegation from the Consulate General of France’s Chicago office on January 24.

The delegation met with faculty and staff from ACES and the University of Illinois, including representatives from education abroad and international centers, to make personal connections that will facilitate additional student and faculty exchanges.   

The visiting delegation included:

URBANA, Ill. –The Autism Program at the University of Illinois will partner with Illinois Career Services and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services at U of I to host a professional development training seminar aimed at helping adult individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and autism in finding employment that works for them.

The seminar is set for Wednesday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the iHotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

After they hatch, deer ticks take two years to reproduce. In that time, they morph from tiny larvae to nymphs to adults, with each stage feeding on a different group of host animals. For researchers studying the dynamics of Lyme disease, understanding host-tick interactions could reveal weak spots that may leave ticks vulnerable to control. A recent University of Illinois study simulates these interactions and provides guidance for effective management.

URBANA, Ill. – Many anglers know invasive species cause problems in their favorite fishing spots, but a smaller subset routinely acts to prevent aquatic hitchhikers on boats and other equipment. What sets these anglers apart? A recent study from the University of Illinois attempts to answer that question from a social science perspective.

URBANA, Ill. – Rice coproducts in pig diets add fat and fiber, but too much fiber can decrease energy absorption and digestibility. A recent study from the University of Illinois characterizes the chemical composition of fiber in rice and rice coproducts, which could lead to diet interventions for improved digestibility.

URBANA, Ill. - The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC), in collaboration with University of Illinois Extension, will be holding its annual meeting in Springfield, Feb. 20-21. This is the first time Illinois will be the host state for the MCCC conference. The meeting will be held at the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, located at 3280 Northfield Drive, Springfield.