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A Strategic Path for Extension Impact
Throughout 2023 and early 2024, Illinois Extension, in partnership with Huron Consulting Group, engaged in a comprehensive planning process to refine and refresh its core priorities, goals, and paths to success through internal and external stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions statewide. The research yielded vital findings around Extension’s engagement, services, partnerships, and impact and identified shifting trends, demographics, and needs that will impact Illinois residents.
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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.
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.
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.
Combat packing landfills by smashing pumpkins with Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Fall is the pumpkin’s time to shine, but what happens when it is time to say goodbye to the short-lived Jack-o-lanterns?
With Illinois consistently being the top producer of pumpkins across the country, there are a lot of pumpkins piling up and filling up landfills…
Faced with environmental challenges, Illinois Extension Master Naturalists sow seeds of hope
MACOMB, Ill. — The beauty of autumn in west central Illinois is not subtle. Amber swaths of blooming goldenrod are adorned by monarch butterflies under a bright blue sky, which only ends when it meets the expanse of Illinois River wetlands, filled with the calls of migrating birds. This vibrant…
Educator rejoins Illinois Extension to promote nutrition education across four Illinois counties
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois Extension is excited to announce Jenny Spinks as the new Illinois Nutrition Education Program administrator for Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. Spinks, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community health, is eager to support…