Serving Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby Counties

Grow with Us

Announcements and Highlights

TLC

Elevate your skills with Thinking, Learning, and Caring

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Get Savvy

Get an early start on managing your money.

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Spring Photo Contest

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Master Gardener Plant Sale

Looking to add to your garden? Head over to the Master Gardener Plant Sale at the City of Mattoon Garden Fest! This year's sale will feature a large variety of tomato plants, along with herbs, peppers, native plants, and houseplants. All plants will start at $2 and are grown by local Master Gardeners.

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Maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse or romantic partner can be a challenge.

This free online program will get you there.

Strong Couples

Free webinar series from the University of Illinois

No matter your age, learn valuable life lessons and gain relevant, easy-to-understand tips for living an inspiring, healthful, and rich life.

2024 Flyer

Maximize profit on your farm

All the tools you need to stay up-to-date on the markets and to make economical farm decisions.

Quarterly Companion

Check out the Spring Quarterly Companion newsletter.

Review the guidelines

Ensure you're following the new guidelines for selling homemade foods.

Resources

Online courses

We provide learning on your terms so you can be who you were meant to be.

Food Preservation

Enjoy garden-fresh foods all year long by preserving at home. We'll take you through the journey, from the equipment you'll need to the step-by-step-process.

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Keep these handy guides ready when problems emerge.

Upcoming Local Events

4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer Certification Training

May 11, 2024

Master Gardener Plant Sale

May 11, 2024

County

Coles

Estate Planning 101: Know the Basics

May 14, 2024

Cooking with Chemistry

May 15, 2024 - June 12, 2024

County

Douglas

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News Releases

A large oak tree behind blooming flowers

May 10, 2024

Rainfall management outreach, engagement expands with grant from American Water
URBANA, Ill. — It can be frustrating when a spring storm washes away new plants or when a summer drought leaves a garden wilting. Whether it’s too much or too little, University of Illinois Extension provides resources and examples for how to manage rainfall and what homeowners and communities...

A person holding out a large group of varied flowers and herbs

May 6, 2024

Add a dash of herbs to spice up floral bouquets
URBANA, Ill. — Cultivating a cut flower garden filled with favorites can be a fun family project that can become budget-friendly gifts for everyone. Adding herbs to a garden and bouquets will create a unique, personal touch to designs. Fresh herbs look and smell amazing and will be long-...

Person driving a tractor without a cab on a rural road.

May 3, 2024

Level up safety first thinking during the spring planting season
URBANA, Ill. — Current spring weather conditions have a lot of tractors parked for now, but when the weather clears and fields dry, it will be a fast-paced season for planting 2024 statewide. Although another Midwest farming season may seem routine, the agriculture industry is highly...

May 2, 2024

Extension’s dedication to environment grows with new campus natural resources expert
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The wild spaces of Illinois are smaller than what they once were, but the forests and prairies that remain are vital for wildlife and the ecosystem services they provide. Across the state, University of Illinois Extension’s network of natural resource experts connects...

Youth teams standing at a crop scouting station discussing plants with a researcher.

May 1, 2024

Illinois crop competition calls for youth scouting teams
URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois Youth Crop Scouting Competition is not just any competition. It is a unique opportunity for agriculture students to showcase skills and knowledge while working on a team competing for a prize...

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