University of Illinois Extension

Connect. Learn. Grow.

Illinois Community Food Map

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.

History of Forest Pest Outbreaks

November 17: Horticulture Educator Ryan Pankau explores past outbreaks in North America and compares what we have learned historically with the current pests threatening native trees.

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.

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.

Intro to Money Management

Nov 11 | NOON: Learn how to build a positive credit profile in a free online webinar for college students and young adults looking to build better financial habits. Check out the whole series!

Food Preservation Video Tutorials

From freezing to fermenting, the Fill Your Pantry video series has you covered when it comes to food preservation.

En Español

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.

Master Gardener Training

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

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.

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.

Lawn sign "2020 state outstanding master gardener award winner"
Illinois Master Gardener volunteers recognized for their dedication
You may not know the names of Illinois’ Master Gardeners, but you know their work. Horticulture is their passion and their mission is helping others learn to grow.
Rotting jack o' lantern
Green your Halloween by composting pumpkins
This Halloween, don’t trash your pumpkins, smash them. Decomposing organic materials in landfills are a major source of the greenhouse gas methane.
Two young women wearing crowns and sashes hold a sign that says "Climb the Hill" while lobbying.
Illinois teen crowned national 4-H civic engagement winner
Elizabeth Weidner won the national 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Civic Engagement. Elizabeth is an advocate for pediatric cancer awareness, research, and funding, and works to support the families patients.
Photo of Chancellor Robert Jones in a 4-H alumni t-shirt
Illinois' Chancellor Jones joins National 4-H Council
U of I Chancellor and 4-H Alum Robert Jones will share his passion for diversity in agriculture and food equity. “It is no exaggeration to say that the first step in my career was joining my local 4-H club."
Hemp growing in field
Research drives growing hemp industry
Industrial hemp is a new addition to Midwestern agriculture, and producers working with researchers as they develop practices in real time.
Graphic of tree stand safety text over photo of fall trees
Tree stand safety starts on the ground
No deer is worth falling 15 feet out of a tree. Tree stand falls are one of the most common hunting injuries that can be prevented with some simple safety measures such as always wearing a harness and choosing a sturdy tree.
Upcoming Events

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  1. Virtual Wellness BINGO Week 4
    Virtual

  1. Teacher Tuesdays - Library and Museum Resources
    Zoom online platform
  2. Hustle 4 That Muscle (Physical Activity)
    Macon County Extension Office
    3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd
    Decatur, IL 62521
  3. Fall Master Gardener Class: Woody Ornamentals
    Anywhere with Internet Access
  4. Designing a Backyard Garden to Attract Birds
    Via Zoom (Champaign County)
More Events