Spring Into Gardening 2026

Announcements and Highlights

Master Gardener volunteer crafting botanical beverages at an event for guests

Get involved, volunteer!

Volunteering with Illinois Extension opens the door to endless possibilities. Embrace lifelong learning and create a lifelong impact by becoming a 4-H Leader, Master Gardener, or Master Naturalist!

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Lessons for Living Webinar Series 2026

Discover timeless insights and practical tips for living an inspiring, healthy, and fulfilling life, regardless of age. Learn valuable life lessons in this series that are accessible and easy to apply.

A Busk Deer standing in field with the words Hunters Feeding Illinois in upper right hand corner

Hunters Feeding Illinois

Hunters Feeding Illinois connects hunters, meat processors, and food pantries to bring lean protein to Illinois residents and families.

Hand planting lavender plant into garden

Spring Into Gardening 2026

Gardening enthusiasts and beginners will enjoy the sixteenth-annual Spring Into Gardening Conference.

river with water flowing over rocks

Watershed Steward Program

Build the knowledge and skills to protect and enhance our local water resources.

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Strong Couples Project

Maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse or romantic partner can be a challenge. This free online program will get you there.

Man walking through corn field.

Farm Stress

Across the farm industry, there are ways we can all help.

A farm next to a soybean field

Agriculture and AgriBusiness Impact

The thing you need most is advice you can trust. Illinois Extension uses unbiased information from University of Illinois to provide practical production recommendations to help farmers, producers, industries, homeowners, communities, and agencies.

Man in wheat field with John Deere combine in the background

Maximize profit on your farm

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

girl in woods

Wellness in Nature

Spending time in nature can benefit mental and physical well-being. From creating a sensory experience while growing vegetables and fruits in a garden, to hiking and exploring a forest preserve, even a short amount of time spent in nature can improve overall health.

cottage foods

Review the guidelines

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

Resources

person at computer

Online courses

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

Canned fruit in jars

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.

Information

More Info

Keep these handy guides ready when problems emerge.

News Releases
A person pointing to a sign that reads: Friend of the Food Banks
An ACES alum with a hunger to serve
URBANA, Ill. — When Steve Ericson walked into the Illinois State Fair as a young exhibitor in 1974, he couldn’t have imagined that one day he’d return, not to show livestock, but to help connect Illinois-grown food to families in need. Now, as Executive Director of...
A person leaning over to use garden snips to cut off a section of the houseplant for propagation.
From one to many: A beginner's guide to plant propagation
URBANA, Ill. — Many indoor gardeners quickly discover that one houseplant is rarely enough. What begins as an admiration for a charming or unique plant often evolves into a strong desire, or even a need, to fill every corner of a home or office with lush greenery. A simple and cost-effective way...

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings