Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Impact.

Explore upcoming events

Your Gift Matters... Give Today

Give Local Learn more

Answers you can trust, for life's everyday problems. That's Illinois Extension.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade....but what if you can't even grow the lemons because you don't know anything about plants! Life has a tendency to throw you a curveball when you least expect it. Illinois Extension is here to help as your friendly neighbors. With experts that work in the communities they serve and research-based knowledge to set you up for success, Extension is here to extend knowledge and change lives.

Find your future...

View open positions in your community

Find food

View resources from Illinois Extension to help you find food near you

See Illinois Extension's Impact

Illinois Extension impacts communities! See our impact

Do you live in Grundy, Kankakee, or Will County?

Receive information about local programs, advice from University experts in topics that matter to you, and more! These resources and more, absolutely free from Illinois Extension.

Join the neighborhood!

Events

Peoria Agronomy Summit

January 12, 2026

What’s Up With Data Centers? Part 1

January 13, 2026

Trees for Pollinators and Evergreen ID

January 13, 2026

Organic waste to Renewable Energy: Wilderness Wednesday

January 14, 2026

County

Kankakee

More Events

News Releases

January 9, 2026

Champaign-Urbana Named Dementia Friendly Community
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – On December 5, Champaign-Urbana was officially recognized as a Dementia Friendly community. The Dementia Friendly Community recognition comes from Dementia Friendly America®. Dementia Friendly America is a national collaborative group whose mission is to encourage communities...

Winner poses with Lego build featuring an under the sea creation.

January 7, 2026

Small builds, big stories: Illinois 4-H youth showcase creativity in December Building Bricks Challenge
URBANA, Ill. — Tiny spaces sparked big creativity for Illinois 4-H youth during the December Creating with Building Bricks Challenge, where participants were tasked with designing detailed mini scenes for the theme “Habitats.” Youth created small diorama-style builds for a minifigure, roughly 2....

The Naff family poses with a winter village scene made of Lego.

January 7, 2026

Families build winter wonderlands together in Illinois 4-H Building Bricks Challenge
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H families came together over winter break to create imaginative, story-filled scenes for the Illinois 4-H Family Winter Break Building Bricks Challenge, the final event in this year’s Building Brick Challenge Series. The special challenge invited families to work...

Winning members pose with their coaches.

January 7, 2026

Illinois 4-H team earns strong finish at national poultry and egg conference
URBANA, Ill. — An Illinois 4-H team earned top honors while competing in the Poultry Judging Contest at the 2025 National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference, held Nov. 20 in Louisville, Kentucky. The four-member team placed 11th overall among 24 states competing in the contest....

Looking at the front of a blue barn with dairy cows inside at a livestock facility

January 6, 2026

Strengthen livestock facility management through 2026 Certified Livestock Manager Training
URBANA, Ill. — Livestock operations are strengthened by having certified individuals on staff. Certification helps minimize environmental impacts through increased awareness of regulations and proper manure nutrient management. Anyone responsible for managing a facility can benefit from...

More News Releases

Local Programs

4-H and Youth