Life provides challenges. Trust Extension to help.

Upcoming events

CONNECT. LEARN. GROW

Vanilla cupcakes with white icing and a garnish on top of the icing.

Grow Your Food Business

Learn about the laws, certifications, processes, and practices required to run a home-based cottage food operation safely and legally in Illinois.

Find Cottage Food Resources

A chef cutting a green pepper on a cutting board with a variety of vegetables that are cut surrounding the cutting board.

Certified Food Protection Managers Course

This program meets the coursework and examination requirements set by the Illinois Department of Public Health. We offer courses within our unit throughout the year.

Course Info

Seeds sprouting in a a tray of containers.

Plan Your Garden

Growing your own food brings many rewards. Start planning your garden now to maximize both your garden space and the growing season.

Getting Started Gardening

Events

Science Blast

July 10, 2024

County

Macoupin

Certified Food Protection Managers Course

July 11, 2024 - July 12, 2024

County

Christian

Master Gardener Help Desk

July 11, 2024

County

Christian

A person welding. Text reads "Career Exploration Trip".

4-H Career Exploration Trip

July 12, 2024

County

Christian

Jersey

Macoupin

Montgomery

More Events

News Releases

Pictured are (left to right) Carl Baker, government relations assistant director, Illinois Extension; Janice McCoy, assistant director, Region 2, Illinois Extension; State Representative Brad Halbrook; Ed Ballard, Dudley Smith Farm coordinator; Dan Shike, professor and interim head, University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences; Sara Marten, county director, Illinois Extension; and Shibu Kar, assistant dean and program leader for natural resources, environment, and energy, Illinois Extension.

June 25, 2024

Producers gain valuable knowledge during Summer Field Day
PANA, Ill. – Producers in central Illinois gained valuable information directly from University of Illinois experts during the 2024 Summer Field Day held at Dudley Smith Farm, located between Taylorville and Pana in Christian County. While enjoying a cool breeze under a tent to...

June 24, 2024

To survive the summer heat, choose plants built for the sizzle
URBANA, Ill. — Summer can be a scorcher, but by selecting the right plants, a landscape can still look sultry all summer long.Both trialed and native plants can tolerate the heat. Trial plants are evaluated throughout the season for heat tolerance and can be planted in the ground or...

(left to right) EmJ Jackle-Hugh, Nancy Ashcraft, Lisa Peterson, Tim Casner, Pam Baldwin, and Carol Schramm.

June 18, 2024

LiveWell Fitness of Pana Community Hospital receives 2024 Community Partner Award from University of Illinois Extension of Christian County
PANA, Ill. – LiveWell Fitness of Pana Community Hospital is the 2024 Community Partner Award winner for University of Illinois Extension in Christian County. The fitness center was selected for its continued support of Illinois Extension’s nutrition and wellness programs. A new...

A monarch butterfly on a yellow-eyed Susan flower bloom.

June 17, 2024

Provide resources to pollinators in any space with container gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Supporting pollinators has become increasingly important as concerns over pollinator population decline are more evident. The good news is that even small spaces can provide resources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Container gardens are one solution for...

The rotunda at the Illinois state capitol

June 17, 2024

Illinois Extension announces 2025 cohort in program promoting public service careers
URBANA, Ill. — The Illini Science Policy Program, administered by University of Illinois Extension, is excited to name seven University of Illinois graduates to its fifth class of...

More News Releases

Programs We Offer