Illinois Public Media

Agriculture

Two photographs from the episode of Mid American Gardener were Ryan Pankau explains how best to prune trees and shrubs in the studio.

Pruning Tips with Ryan Pankau on Mid American Gardener

 Pruning can feel intimidating, but understanding a few key principles can make all the difference and that’s why we’ve spent so much time talking about pruning on Mid American Gardener.  In this episode, host Tinisha Spain is joined by horticulture educator Ryan Pankau from University of Illinois Extension to walk through the science and strategy behind proper tree and shrub pruning. 
IPM Newsroom
Classic Mornings

Brahms’s Dance Partners
It was the very last minute of winter.
Prairie Performances

Prairie Performances: Jazz
On this week’s jazz episode of Prairie Performances, we bring you groovy new tracks from Illinois and beyond.
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
ILLINOIS CLASSICAL: The Evening Concert: MARCH 29 – 30 –31 – APRIL 1 – 2 – 3, 2026 
The 21st Show
collage including a portrait of Sergio Lemus wearing a back button-down shirt with a red necktie; and the cover of the book

‘Los Yarderos’ explores lives of Mexican yard workers in the Midwest
Here in the Midwest, many of the landscapers who mow our lawns, trim our trees, and rake our leaves are Mexican immigrants. Anthropologist Sergio Lemus writes about his…
The 21st Show
canada geese walk from a sidewalk to a road in the rain; they have a distinctive look, with black heads and necks, brown and beige bodies, and black legs and feet

When geese became a menace, Moline turned to the ‘Goosinator’
Canada geese are a fact of life in many parts of Illinois. But the creatures can be a safety risk and a danger to public health. We'll talk with the creator of the Goosinator,…
Weather Realness
Lake Decatur

How rising temperatures are reshaping California’s snowpack and Illinois’s drought
Soaring temperatures are reshaping water systems across the U.S. We talk about how the heat is melting the Sierra Nevada snowpack and influencing the ongoing drought in…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 6 - March 2026
We introduce you to the art of Brian Dettmer, get a special performance from hip-hop duo Mother Nature, and visit with quilter Millie Sorrells, who shows us creativity has no…
Mid-American Gardener

Pruning Tips with Ryan Pankau
Spring has Sprung and you’re almost out of time to get that last minute pruning done before it’s too late for the season. Late winter, early Spring is prime time pruning…
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie
State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.