Featured stories

Volunteers hold awards in front of a banner that reads "Master Gardener"

Will County volunteers recognized at 50th Anniversary Master Gardener Conference

JOLIET, Ill. — Local volunteers leading impactful local projects did not go unnoticed at the 2025 University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Conference, held Sept. 4-5 in Springfield...

Dean Vann

University of Illinois Extension announces NC State agricultural leader as its new director

URBANA, Ill. — Matthew Vann has been named the new associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, the flagship public engagement organization housed in the...

4-H projects

Local youth represented at the 2025 Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 127 youth from Grundy, Kankakee, and Will Counties recently competed at the state level at the 4-H General Project Show held August 8 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield...

News & press
Maddy Canada poses with blue ribbon.
Youth handlers shine at 2025 4-H state dog show
Bloomington, Ill. -- The 2025 Illinois 4-H Dog Show was held on Oct. 4 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. Sixty-six 4-H members represented their home counties across Illinois in 118 individual runs made in partnership with their canine companion. Members who received a qualifying score at...
before and after photos of Perry Harlow when he first started 4-H and now
Local youth are 'Beyond Ready' this National 4-H Week
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – This week, Oct. 5-11, local communities are celebrating National 4-H Week to bring awareness and recognition of 4-H youth across the country.  The 4-H program began as an afterschool opportunity to help young people build...
Three people smile for the camera with pizza on the table
Illinois Extension staff spotlight: Emilia Elabed
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.  This month's spotlight follows...
a group of people stand in a wetland
Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...
A deer in the field
Hunters Feeding Illinois returns
URBANA, Ill. — Hunters Feeding Illinois returns for its fourth season, in partnership with Feeding Illinois, Access Illinois Outdoors, ...
Ellis Rogers poses in a tree setting.
Illinois 4-H’er selected as runner up for national 4-H award
Dahinda, Ill. – National 4-H Council has named Ellis Rogers of Knox County a national runner up for the 2025 4-H Youth in Action Award. Rogers, 18, is recognized for her achievements and leadership in equine science. Ellis is a 10-year member of the Williamsfield Town and...
Food Safety label
Celebrate food safety month by exploring Extension resources
URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing...

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