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Explore Cicadas of Illinois
2024 is a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois! Two broods will emerge at the same time throughout much of the state as soil temperatures reach 64 F. Besides the noise, which may be substantial, this large group of insects is harmless and can be appreciated and enjoyed by nature lovers of all ages. Learn about the timing, habits, and lifecycles of periodical cicadas and discover how periodical broods differ from Illinois' annual, or dog-day, cicadas.
Connect. Learn. Grow.
![person planting young tomato transplant](https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/young%20tomato%20plant%20700x350.jpg?itok=RggYe_GF)
Plan Your Garden
Growing your own produce brings many rewards. Plan your garden space and find out when to plant your favorite vegetables and fruit in each Illinois plant hardiness zone.
![cupcakes on a counter](https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/cupcakes%20700x350.jpg?itok=PYq8axJ2)
Grow Your Food Business
Learn about the laws, certifications, processes, and practices required to run a home-based cottage food operation safely and legally in Illinois.
![watering can sprinkling young garden plants](https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/GC%20Summer%20Web%20Button%20Card%20700x350.jpg?itok=aGBOW2u0)
Spring Into Summer
Beat the heat this summer and learn how to help birds, plants, pollinators, trees, and gardens thrive with resources from our newest issue of Gardeners Corner.
![A person flying a drone above a herd of beef cattle standing in a pasture for grazing management.](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/Livestock%20Technology%20IFARM%20SIssa%20Web%20Spotlight%201200x800.jpg?itok=SsaR_7K8)
Explore cutting-edge agricultural technology with I-FARM Learning Series
URBANA, Ill. — Identifying on-farm needs to increase efficiency, safety, practicality, and overall profitability is where ideas for adapting technology begin. From there, advancing technology for productivity and sustainability seems to be more within reach in a changing agricultural landscape.…
![A pile of specialty decor pumpkins of a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/Decor%20Pumpkins%20IMG_6061%20by%20NJohanning%201200x800.jpg?itok=uLP0UEHk)
Explore commercial pumpkin production at Extension field day
URBANA, Ill. — As Illinois ranks number one in both pumpkin production and processing, it provides a great opportunity to bring together growers, producers, and those who love talking pumpkins.
University of Illinois Extension can help kick off the fall season with a Pumpkin Field Day on…
![A robot traveling down a field's corn rows.](/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/Crops%20Robot%20SIssa%20Web%20Media%20Spotlight%201200x800.jpg?itok=098GXGyk)
Field day provides diverse avenues to resiliency, sustainability in agriculture
URBANA, Ill. — As the agriculture industry has grown and evolved over the centuries, numerous environmental and societal factors have constantly challenged its resilience. Today is no different. To achieve sustainable agricultural operations, farmers must continue to adopt new technologies and…