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...

How it started, How it's going

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...

News & press
Extension to continue online events, 4-H shows in July
URBANA, Ill. – As the state of Illinois moves into Phase 3 of the coronavirus Restore Illinois plan, University of Illinois Extension continues to provide research-based educational programs for families, farmers, and businesses in formats that support public health and safety priorities....
At-home animal slaughter involves risk, challenges
URBANA, Ill. - Supply chain and distribution challenges are leaving producers stranded with animals ready for market but no place to go. Some may consider custom slaughter or butchering at-home as a way to relieve this pressure. While producers are able to slaughter their own animals, this...
Learn to manage pests and diseases in the home landscape
URBANA, Ill. – As the days get longer and wetter, gardens come alive but so do many other organisms. Join Horticulture Educator Austin Little as he discusses common garden pests and diseases through a proactive plant...
Have a garden question? The answer is only a click away
URBANA, Ill. – Whether you’re ankle-deep in water in your yard or are trying to introduce children to gardening, you can trust University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts for the answer. In addition to dozens of blogs and workshops, one can now watch live webinars and join a new...
COVID creates shortage of PPE for pesticide applicators
The shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) extends beyond medical staff and first responders. Pesticide applicators are struggling to find the equipment required by law. Sales of respirators, face shields, and N95 face masks are being directed to health care and front-line workers,...
Know your health insurance options if you lose your job
URBANA, Ill. - With businesses shutting down temporarily or scaling back staff, employees should consider the impact of layoffs on their health insurance coverage before their existing coverage ends to ensure there are no gaps in your coverage. "Health care coverage is critical...
Produce farms provided COVID-19 disinfecting guidelines
New FDA food safety guidelines require local farmers to review and adapt their current food safety practices. "There has never been a more important time to review food contact surfaces and high touch surface cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection procedures," says Zach Grant,...

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