Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Impact.
Put research-based knowledge to work for you.
At home, at work, and in your community — count on Illinois Extension’s reliable and relatable information to help you navigate resilience in all areas of life.
Find local progams
Title
Plan Your Garden
Growing your own produce brings many rewards, and the gardening game is already underway for many gardeners across Illinois! Whether you're starting your own plants from seed or purchasing transplants, it's a good idea to plan your garden to maximize both space and the growing season. Extension has expert tips on planning, planting, growing, and managing a great garden.
Connect. Learn. Grow.
Helping Others Grow
Discover the 50-year Master Gardener legacy and join the mission of community enrichment through the art and science of gardening.
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.
Wildlife is Everywhere
Learn how to support Illinois wildlife and navigate everyday wildlife encounters with research-based information you can trust.
Title
Avian Flu Updates
The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, in the past few months has many concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health. HPAI is an extremely contagious disease that can kill entire poultry flocks in days. The H5N1 strain spreads from wild to domestic birds as well as mammals, including dairy cattle, wild carnivores, and pets, raising concerns about how the virus might be mutating.
Title
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.
Managing pests in the garden
URBANA, Ill. — Warm weather has arrived, and plants are starting to green up and bloom. That also means weeds, insects, and diseases are starting to become active too. As the saying goes, the only things guaranteed in life are death and taxes, and for gardeners, pests are also included in the…
Celebrate Pollinator Week with tips and tools for a more pollinator-friendly yard
URBANA, Ill. — As they flutter through plant and flower blossoms, spreading pollen with every landing, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators quietly sustain healthy ecosystems, successful home vegetable gardens, and agricultural production. This Pollinator…
Local growers are invited to Agronomy Field Day at Ewing Demonstration Center
EWING, Ill. – Illinois Extension is excited to invite the public to their annual Agronomy Field Day at the Ewing Demonstration Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 9 a.m., with a free lunch to follow. The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management…
National Pollinator Week
OpenSciEd High School Launch | Cook County
STEM Career Camp 2025
Junior Master Naturalist