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CONNECT. LEARN. GROW

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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
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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
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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

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News Releases
Up close view of light purple berries growing on a green beautyberry plant.
Garden into fall with tips, plants built for seasonal design
URBANA, Ill. — Fall can be a surprise when it arrives, but planning for the seasonal transition can keep the garden looking great until frost.Most gardeners can show their success by battling the summer temperatures, sometimes watering twice daily to keep the plants alive. As summer...
View from the ground of a person pushing a lawn spreader putting on fertilizer.
Five fall tips for cool-season lawn care
URBANA, Ill. — As the sun sets on another summer season, lawn care does not stop. When it comes to routine turf maintenance, the late summer to early fall months are critical for cool-season lawns.Cool season lawns are a group of turf species comprised mainly of Kentucky bluegrass, tall...
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Investment in communications furthers the Illinois Extension mission
URBANA, Ill. — Effective communication is a cornerstone of University of Illinois Extension’s ability to transfer the latest research and best practices to the residents of the state. In this critical pursuit of improving lives and livelihoods throughout Illinois, Extension relies on myriad...
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Programs We Offer
Overhead view of town buildings and streets Community & Economic Development
Gardener sitting in row moving plants from flowerpots to ground Horticulture
Youth smiling while stirring pot on stove at cooking class Illinois Nutrition Education Programs
Hands holding a basket of fruits and vegetables shaped like a heart with fitness equipment on the floor Nutrition and Wellness
Youth sewing on a machine Youth and 4-H Programs

Dig Deeper

Topics we address
Agricultural Technology
Beef Cattle
Christmas Trees
Climate
Community Gardens
Community Planning
Composting
Container Gardens
Cottage Food
Crops
Diabetes
Disasters
Economic Development
Energy
Environmental Quality
Family
Farm Management
Firewood
Flowers
Food
Forestry
Fruit Trees for Home Gardens
Health
Hemp
Herbs
Home Vegetable Gardening
Houseplants
Illinois Grasses
Insects
Invasives
Lawns
Livestock
Local Food Systems and Small Farms
Local Government Education
Mental Health
Mushrooms
Natural Resources
Nutrient Loss Reduction
Personal Finances
Plant Problems
Plants
Pumpkins
Rainfall Management
Regenerative Agriculture
Roses
Septic Systems
Small Fruits for Home Gardens
Soil
Specialty Crops
Thriving Youth
Ticks
Turkey
Vaccines
Weather
Youth Gardening

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings

State Extension
Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties

Montgomery County
1 Industrial Park Dr.
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: 217-532-3941
Email: uie-cjmm@illinois.edu

Christian County
1120 N Webster St.
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-287-7246

Jersey County
201 W. Exchange St.
Suite A
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: 618-498-2913

Macoupin County
60 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626
Phone: 217-854-9604