Home CFIV Blogs

Blogs

A laptop next to a cup of coffee, notepad with a pen and a cell phone.

See the latest from our educators

Popular Blogs

Hear from educators across Extension on a variety of topics
A field of wild bergamot

The Garden Scoop

Featuring Seasonal tips and tricks from educator, Ryan Pankau

View Blog
A brown wallet with a $20 bill and some coins in front of a pair of glasses

Plan Well, Retire Well

Saving and investing your money

View Blog
Celery stalks and carrots in a market stall

Live Well. Eat Well.

Information by our Nutrition and Wellness Extension Educators from across Illinois.

View Blog
Red flower with a yellow center

Good Growing

Keeping you growing with good ideas from Katie Parker, Christopher Enroth, and Ken Johnson.

View Blog
Children's legs and muddy boots

Our Illinois 4-H Story

Telling the stories of Illinois 4-H members, volunteers, and alumni

View Blog
Several fruits and vegetables all sitting on a table

Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious

Helpful tips to make meals easy, healthy, and tasty!

View Blog
Mushrooms on a moss-covered log in a forest

Naturalist News

Share your passion for nature and learn ways to protect our natural world.

View Blog

Latest Blogs From Illinois Extension

adult mosquito resting on a leaf
Managing mosquitoes at home
With the arrival of warm, wet weather, mosquitoes are becoming more prevalent.  Unfortunately, this can turn relaxing evenings outdoors into a...
A corn field with standing water in it.
Understanding corn yield loss from wet conditions and storm damage
Of all the risks that crop producers in central Illinois contend with during the growing season, weather is often the most unpredictable and costly....
New World Screwworm (NWS) is the name of this metallic colored, flesh-eating pest
New world screwworm: Questions every cattle producer is asking
On June 3, 2026, the USDA confirmed the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) on a cattle ranch near La Pryor, Texas in a 3-week-old bovine’s...
Agricultural field that the EPA requires specific mitigations be calculated for through new Endangered Species Act labeling
Understanding new ESA label requirements for the 2026 Illinois spraying season
Spraying season has officially begun in Illinois agriculture, and this year, additional steps may be necessary to make an application due to a recent...
field of squirreltail barley
Identifying squirreltail barley
While working in tallgrass prairie restorations in central Minnesota, I was responsible for identifying and recording presence and abundance of...
Sycamore tree infected with Anthracnose with Garden Scoop logo
Cool, wet weather sets the stage for Anthracnose
With our cool, wet spring, conditions were perfect for the development of anthracnose.  This common tree disease is present every year, but...
sticks of imitation crab on a plate
Crab and its cost-conscious cousin
The fresh crab selection in Illinois is dismal. Head to the coast of Alaska, and you may have better luck finding this delectable species of seafood...
parent working on project with children
Growing minds all summer long
As the last day of school ends, children begin the transition from school to home-based learning. They trade in their backpacks and schoolbooks for...
More Blogs

See More Blogs From Illinois Extension

See these other blogs from around the state

Agriculture

Acres of Knowledge

All issues concerning Small Farms, Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

Hill & Furrow

News from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural R&D Center.

Community and Economic Development

Building Entrepreneurial Communities

Strategies for strengthening local economies.

Consumer Economics

Be Centsible

Written by college students, for college students. Be Centsible features answers to personal finance questions.

Fearless Financial Future

Research-based financial information helps us develop and maintain thoughtful and effective financial behaviors.

Environment

All About Weather

Learn more about Illinois weather patterns.

Naturalist News

Share your passion for nature and learn ways to protect our natural world.

Naturalist's Notebook

Experience the natural world through reviews and journal entries with Master Naturalists.

Grasses at a Glance

Dig deep into the types of grasses and their uses in our world.

Family

Community Health: Education, Prevention, and Inspiration

Empowering people to make healthy, respectful, and responsible choices.

Family Files

Facts for all ages.

Refill Your Cup with Self-Care

Genuine, sustained self-care is an art.

Salud y Familia

Resources in Spanish.

Horticulture

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Local and statewide information on a variety of current topics for home gardeners and market growers.

Illinois River Hort

Helping new and experienced gardeners develop their skills and knowledge while encouraging everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

Know How, Know More

Connecting you with your food, farmers, and community.

Over the Garden Fence

Where gardeners come to find out what's happening out in the yard.

Raise, Grow, Harvest, Eat, Repeat

A blog for growers, consumers, and backyard gardeners to grow, eat, and connect in the local food system.

Nutrition and Wellness

Be Smart, Eat Well, Get Healthy

Nutrition information you can use.

Healthy Eats and Repeat

Highlighting food, recipes, and ideas for a healthy lifestyle.

Turnip the Beet! Nutrition and Wellness

Timely news, information, and innovative ideas to promote health and influence change.

Youth Development

Connection Corner

Timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.

Local Blog Authors