University of Illinois Extension

Extending Knowledge. Changing Lives.

Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offering educational programs to residents of all of Illinois' 102 counties — and far beyond.

Illinois 4-H member mentors younger student

Illinois 4-H member leads youth STEM education efforts

Illinois 4-H member Aja Capel of Urbana, Ill., is on a mission to help minority students – especially girls – consider careers in STEM. Her efforts are gaining a lot more traction, thanks to a recent video profile by NBC News Learning.

Shelly Nickols-Richardson, Barb Curry and Jennifer McCaffrey

Barb Curry Excellence in Programming Award

Barbara Curry received the Individual Excellence in Outstanding Programming award at University of Illinois Extension’s Illinois Nutrition Education Programs annual Fall Training.

Health Make-a-thon participants pose for group photo

Health Make-A-Thon competition open for submissions

University of Illinois Extension and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine invite Illinois residents to submit ideas for improving human health to the second annual Illinois Health Make-a-Thon competition. The 10 best ideas will each be supported by $10,000.

Vegetables grown at the Idea Garden fed nearly 400 people at The Courage Connection in 2019.

Champaign County Master Gardener Donation Gardens Advocate for Food Access

Champaign County Master Gardener donation gardens fed over 500 people in 2019.

Ashley Salinetro, Partnership Manager at Eastern Illinois Foodbank with Caitlin Kownacki, University of Illinois Extension specialist

Extension receives 2019 Partner of the Year Award

University of Illinois Extension received the 2019 Community Partner of the Year Award from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. This award is given to a community organization each year who has partnered with the Foodbank to help further the mission of alleviating hunger in Eastern Illinois communities.

Common Tomato Diseases

While tomatoes are relatively easy to grow there are a few diseases vegetable gardeners should keep an eye out for if they want to grow prize-winning tomatoes.

"One of the things that I really enjoy is educating folks how to work with their landscape, how to tweak it...kind of getting them over the 'OMG!' moments."

Teresa Vrzina
Master Gardener

Join Illinois Master Gardeners

Upcoming Events

December 11, 2019

Pike County 4-H Christmas Movie Party
Pittsfield (Pike County)
Eating Well as You Age
Paris Public Library, Paris, IL (Edgar County)
Farmer Guide to Hemp
The Factory, 101 N Washington St, Hanover, IL (JoDaviess County)
Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies
University of Illinois Extension: 801 North Country Fair Drive, Champaign, Illinois, 61821 (Champaign County)
Holly Day Luncheon - Active and Intern Champaign County Master Gardeners Only
Lincolnshire Fields Country Club (Champaign County)

More Events