University of Illinois Extension's new strategic plan.

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Announcements and Highlights

Annie's Project: Empowering women in agriculture

Annie's Project is a six-week discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field. There's plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with your presenters and fellow participants. It's a relaxed, fun, and dynamic way to learn, grow, and meet other farm women.

Joint initiatives address food desert in southern Illinois

In a 16-county region of Southern Illinois stifled by a food desert, access to nutritious options was no longer an option but a pressing necessity. The collaboration of the University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed and Community Economic Development teams led to the formation of the Southern Illinois Food Access Project to address food insecurity in the state's southernmost region.

Lessons for Living 2025

University of Illinois Extension offers the Lessons for Living 2025 webinar series, designed to empower adults of all ages with practical wisdom and actionable insights for leading a vibrant and meaningful life. Learn more about this webinar series and register to attend!

Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

The Dixon Springs Agricultural Center was established in 1934 near Simpson in Pope County. It is the largest experiment station of its kind east of the Mississippi River. DSAC links the laboratories and classrooms of University of Illinois and the USDA with the farms in Southern Illinois. Researchers at DSAC coordinate their programs to meet the needs of area farmers.

Learn more about Dixon Springs Ag Center and information about ongoing Ag research in Southern Illinois here: https://extension.illinois.edu/dsac

Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

Events

Speaking for Illinois 4-H Training

February 7, 2025

Online Resources for Land Management Webinar

February 10, 2025

Hardin County Junior Gardeners

February 11, 2025

County

Hardin

2025 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School

February 11, 2025

More Events

News Releases

A posed side view of a black Angus bull standing in a pasture in front of a silver fence.

January 31, 2025

2025 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale prioritizes trusted genetics for herd growth
URBANA, Ill. — Herd knowledge, experience, and the addition of trusted genetics can take a beef cattle herd into new beginnings. Start off the year by attending the annual Illinois Performance...

January 30, 2025

What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health.HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for...

January 30, 2025

Connect with health information experts in the Springtime Science series
URBANA, Ill. — While technology has revolutionized access to health information, the proliferation of inaccurate and potentially dangerous content online presents a significant public health challenge. It is essential to develop collaborative models that bring together researchers, educators,...

January 24, 2025

Illinois 4-H expands shooting sports expertise with newly certified coordinators
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Illinois 4-H has recently certified eight staff members as Level I 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinators. These individuals completed in a three-session professional development series, paving the way for future opportunities in 4-H Shooting Sports programming....

A wooden background painted teal with a word overlay reading Growing Great Vegetables.

January 21, 2025

Strengthen spring planting with tips from Growing Great Vegetables webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — As gardening continues to gain popularity, it is important to keep the learning growing. Whether it is skills needed for a large backyard garden or a few windowsill and porch pots, sharing the knowledge and how much fun gardening activities with others can be very fulfilling....

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Programs We Offer

Local Foods and Small Farms