Extension in Action
We believe in the people of Marion County. We are committed to our mission to connect our local communities to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, develop educational programs, extend knowledge, and build partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments. See what in-person programming and webinars are coming up that will impact our communities and bring us all to a prosperous future.
Visit the Marion County Extension office at 1404 E Main, Rt 50 East, Salem, IL
| Ph: 618-548-1446 | Fax: 618-548-9891 | Hours: Mon–Thu 8AM–4:30PM (Closed 12–1PM), Friday by appointment.
Upcoming Local Programs & Events
Register for local Extension programs online using links below, or connect with the Marion County Extension Office by phone at 618-548-1446 or email at uie-bcjmw@illinois.edu.
- October 7 | Back to Basics: Composting | (Marion County Extension Office, Salem)
View all programs available to residents in our local area!
Marion County Resources
Find a local 4-H Club in Marion County
- Iron Clovers* (Centralia)
- Omega Shamrocks* (Iuka)
- SEMCO Servers* (Iuka)
- Kinmundy Tornadoes* (Kinmundy)
- Meacham Worthwhile* (Kinmundy)
- Shirver Sircle* (Kinmundy)
- SPIN CLUB: Shooting Sports - Air Pistol (Mt. Vernon)
- Patoka Panthers* (Patoka)
- Blackhawk Clover Club* (Sandoval)
- Hoofbeats* (Salem)
- Marion County Pioneers* (Salem)
- SPIN CLUB: Horse Competitive Teams (Salem)
- SPIN CLUB: Livestock Judging Team (Salem)
- Showstrings* (Texico)
- Kell Cowpunchers* (Walnut Hill)
- SPIN CLUB: Shooting Sports - Clay Busters (Whittington)
* These clubs offer a dedicated Cloverbud club for youth ages 5-7 years.
Traditional 4-H Clubs meet regularly throughout the year, offering members the opportunity to explore a wide range of projects, including STEM, Agriculture, Creative and Visual Arts, and more. These clubs provide hands-on learning experiences, leadership development, and a strong sense of community for youth of all interests.
Special Interest Clubs (SPIN CLUBS) are short-term clubs that meet 6-8 times over a brief period, focusing on a single topic. These clubs provide an in-depth exploration of a specific interest.
For more information, call the Marion County Extension Office at 618-548-1446.
Marion County Extension Awards and Scholarships
Jefferson County Advisory Council Members
Click here to learn more about the Extension Council.
- Wesley Gozia
- Greg Branch
- Diane Koertge
Food Pantries in Marion County
- Salvation Army, 204 South Commercial Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - Tuesdays & Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Redemption Church, 135 North Hotze Road, Salem, IL 62881 - third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Salem Mobile Market, 1900 North Broadway, Salem, IL 62881 - second Saturday of the month, 8:30 AM
- St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 812 West Main Street, Salem, IL 62881 - Call for assistance (618) 548-0899
- Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 736 South Poplar Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - Call for assistance (618) 532-7733
- Feed My People Food Pantry, 707 East Howard Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Calumet Christian Church, 2240 East Calumet Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - Call for assistance (618) 533-4421
- Centralia Community Benevolent Association (CCBA), 508 North Poplar Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - Wednesdays, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Neighborhood Food Pantry, 242-244 South Madison Street, Kinmundy, IL 62854 - third Saturday of the month
- Salem Ministerial Alliance, 116 E Schwartz Street, Salem, IL 62854 - first Saturday of the month, 8-10 a.m., Mondays, 8-10 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m.
- Salem Grace Nazarene Church, 1900 North Broadway, Salem, IL 62881 - third Friday of the month, 10 a.m.
- Helping Hands Food Pantry, 1004 East Poplar Street, Odin, IL 62870 - second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Salem Church of Christ, 1213 East Main Street, Salem, IL 62881 - Emergency food only, Call for assistance (618) 548-2711
- Sandoval First United Methodist Church, 101 East Missouri Avenue, Sandoval, IL 62882 - first and third Saturday of the month, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Wamac Missionary Baptist Church, 123 North James Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - second Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Centralia Mobile Market, 1035 West McCord Street, Centralia, IL 62801 - second Thursday of the month, 1:30 p.m.
Marion County Newsletters
Interested in receiving monthly newsletters for your county?
Subscribe today to receive future messages.
For more information, call the Marion County Extension Office at 618-548-1446.
Youth Opportunities in Marion County
Dial pressure canner gauges need to be tested once a year. Over time, a dial gauge’s calibration can become inaccurate and show an incorrect pressure. If the pressure is even slightly lower than recommended, the internal temperature of the food will not be high enough to kill all the bacteria, and harmful toxins can build up and cause illness or death.
To get your pressure canner dial gauge tested, drop off your lid at any of our county offices. Once the lid is tested, you will be contacted about the results and for pick up. Pressure canner testing is available at other Extension offices around the state as well. For more home preservation resources, visit the state Pressure Canning page. Questions? Feel free to call us at (618) 327-8881.
Did you know you can bring plant samples directly into our Marion County office? We make it easier for you to identify and address plant problems by accepting samples directly from the public and sending them to the University of Illinois' Plant Clinic for analysis. Before you visit, learn how to prepare your plant sample – then visit our office, no appointment necessary!
Our Services Include:
Staff serving Marion County
