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 15 – 16 –17 – 18 – 19 – 20, 2026 
The 21st Show
Hikers are standing atop a huge, tall, tan-and-gray rock formation set in a backdrop of a green forest. The entire scene is under a bright blue sky with just a few thin clouds.

‘Couple of Patels’ on traveling Illinois and beyond
With the weather getting warmer again, it’s time to consider spring and summer travel plans. We’ll talk about popular destinations in the 21st state and beyond with…
The 21st Show
a man wearing a dark blue suit has his fingers crossed behind his back

Why did super PACs spend millions lying to Illinois voters?
Money from super PACs flooded into Illinois for the Democratic primary — much of it aimed at defeating progressives by misleading voters about their records. We’ll hear…
The 21st Show

The pitfalls of AI chatbots in customer service
Customer service is increasingly the domain of AI chatbots. What impact is this having on security and how are consumers engaging with this service? 
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.