Local Programs

When you aren't sure where to turn, we provide the map.

When life gives us challenges, it's difficult to know who to trust. Create a brighter future for you, your family, your business, and your community by trusting the unbias research-based information from Extension. Let Extension sort through all the information and offer you practical, trustworthy ways to improve all aspects of your life. Small steps can add up to big changes. Let's walk the journey together.

We address key issues in Illinois.

Our work focuses on eight strategic priorities. Illinois Extension leaders work with a network of local stakeholders to define annual priorities that allow us to respond to evolving and emerging needs while still ensuring meaningful progress toward key outcomes in each of the five grand challenge areas. This blend of long-range focus and local accountability is a powerful strategy that ensures we stay true to our mission while we serve communities across the state.

• Community: Support Strong and Resilient Youth, Families, and Communities
• Economy: Grow a Prosperous Economy Through Lifelong Learning and Development
• Environment: Sustain and Restore Natural Resources in Home and Public Spaces
• Food: Maintain a Safe and Accessible Food, Fibers, and Biofuel Supply
• Health: Maximize Health Equity and Access and Support Health Promotion
• Partnerships: Create and Nurture Strategic Partnerships and Share Statewide Resources to Advance Our Mission and Vision
• Technology and Discovery: Intergrate Research, Technology, and Engagement to Close Opportunity Gaps and Build Capacity
• Workforce Excellence: Develop Illinois Extension Staff and Teams to Advance Collaborative Impact and Strengthen a Culture of Inclusiveness and Belonging

While most Extension programs are offered on an informal, non-credit basis, U of I Extension does offer continuing education credits in some fields of study. Extension programs may be offered as hands-on workshops, field days, online self-paced tutorials, or in other formats that are suitable for the audience and subject-matter.