Connect. Learn. Grow.

Local Government Education

Local officials and community leaders can gain perspective from experts on policies and legislation at federal and state levels which may impact funding, programs, infrastructure, and economic progress of Illinois communities.

Fall Into Gardening

It's easy to have garden fatigue by the time September rolls around, but make sure to check these important fall chores off your to-do list to keep your garden thriving now and when spring rolls around.

Improve Money Management

Discover tools, tips, and techniques for common money management topics that help you prepare for first-time financial decisions such as buying or renting, evaluating job benefits, and making financial plans.

Webinars and Digital Training

Information you trust is just a click away. Illinois Extension’s high-quality programs are available for free online as live webinars. Miss a program? Check out the recordings.

Let's get growing!

The summer issue of Gardener’s Corner is here! Extension gardening experts cover everything from yard care and native plants to growing fresh produce and back to school gardens.

Master Gardener Training

Gain practical experience and horticulture knowledge straight from Extension educators so you can positively impact your community.

Budget-Friendly Nutrition Tips

Make healthier choices for your family on any budget. Find your healthy lifestyle with Eat. Move. Save.

Advocate for the Environment

Love nature? The Master Naturalist program works with adult volunteers to support natural spaces and wildlife around Illinois as environmental stewards.

Back view of a man with a smoker in his hand approaching urban beehives
Urban beekeeper's planned expansion pays off during pandemic
Oscar Villa graduated the Cook County Master Urban Farmer program in 2018. With a plan in place, he expanded from a hobby to a business.
Asian carp fish jumping out of body of water
Non-native invasive species major threat to ecosystem
May is Invasive Species Awareness Month. The estimated price tag of managing the damages caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer or Asian carp is $120 billion annually in the U.S.
woman and child with photos for learning
Autism acceptance: A quest for answers, support

Katie Stafford and her husband struggled to understand their young daughter’s unfamiliar behavior, which seemed so unlike the usual tantrums and behavioral quirks of childhood.

DeKay's snake
Coexissssting with snakes in the yard and garden

As spring progresses, many of us will have our hands in the dirt in our backyards, pulling out weeds and breaking up soil to prepare for the ultimate tomato patch.

black eyed susans and ornamental grasses
Put down the bottle: Handling weeds and insects at home doesn't start with pesticides
Improper use can harm adults, children, and pets, kill beneficial insects, and leach chemicals into the ecosystem and drinking water supplies.
farm couple walks down gravel lane with brown Labrador retriever
During planting, stress management is more important than ever
As spring planting approaches, so do the pressures and expectations placed upon farmers.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Response resources for COVID-19

The spread and mitigation of coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving concern for Illinois. This library of resources can help families, businesses, community leaders, and ag producers cope.

Find Local Food Resources

Find all food assistance sites closest to your Illinois zip code, including food pantries, school meal sites, and grocery stores and farmers markets that accept WIC/SNAP.

Economic and Functional Value

A new report finds that Extension provides more than $600 million annual benefit to Illinois, ten times its budget. Read the report.

En Espanol

La Extensión de la Universidad de Illinois es el principal alcance emblemático de la Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign, que ofrece programas educativos a los residentes de los 102 condados de Illinois, y mucho más.
Upcoming Events

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  1. Fall Bulbs Fundraiser
    Online (Rock Island County)

  1. Wits Fitness- O'Dell Library 2021
    O'Dell Library-307 South Madison St. Morrison IL (Whiteside County)
  2. Macon County Certified Food Protection Manager Class and Exam
    Macon County Extension Office, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur, IL 62521 (Macon County)

  1. Falling into the Autumn Vegetable Garden
  2. Piatt County 4-H STEAM at Cerro Gordo Civic Center
    Cerro Gordo Civic Center, 304 North St, Cerro Gordo, IL (Piatt County)
More Events