Blogs
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Summer treat showdown: Ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and more
![Pawpaw: America's tropical treasure pawpaw fruit in tree canopy leaves turning yellow](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_article_image/public/blog_article_image/Main%20article%20image%20%20pawpaw.png?itok=l9tYbI2y)
Pawpaw: America's tropical treasure
We Have Blogs on Many Different Topics
Personal Finances
![couple sitting on patio](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/live%20well%20retire%20well%20blog%20getty.jpg?itok=vakJNEjj)
Great retirements don't happen by accident. Tips for saving and investing your money.
![university of illinois graduate](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/college%20financial%20blog.jpg?itok=Ihw_H7XT)
Money talk by college students, for college students.
![man helping couple with money issues](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/fearless%20financial%20future%20blog.jpg?itok=pkYqS781)
Develop and maintain thoughtful and effective financial behaviors using these trusted methods.
![cardboard people standing on money](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-04/financial%20balance%20blog%20pexels%201200x800.jpg?itok=wQsd7l7h)
Find the financial balance that fits your personal budget and financial planning goals.
Family
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Read these timely resources for wellness across the lifespan.
Health
![woman doing yoga stretches in the park](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/Health%20blog%20Getty.jpg?itok=DumdMUVn)
Take steps to living a healthier life.
![person sitting on couch with cup of coffee](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/self%20care%20blog%20getty.jpg?itok=hoRYmCcm)
Genuine, sustained self-care is an art.
![person walking road](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/walk%20the%20line%20blog.jpg?itok=I6jgMttr)
A journey of wellness dedicated to awareness and the power of knowledge to help you on your health and wellness journey.
![person sitting on couch holding someone's hands](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/community%20health%20blog.jpg?itok=aYRk-FZ9)
Empowering people to make healthy, respectful and responsible choices.
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Working together to address social and structural health inequities
Nutrition and Wellness
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Healthy information for better living
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Nutrition information you can use.
![person chopping banana for smoothie](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/Healthy%20Eats%20%20blog%20Getty.jpg?itok=ZwzEy1Ki)
Highlighting food, recipes, and ideas for a healthy lifestyle.
![healthy food on table](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/Simply%20Nutritious%20Blog%20Getty.jpg?itok=U8-79vui)
Helpful tips to make meals easy, healthy and tasty!
Community and Economic Development
![young adult standing with other professionals seated](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/CED%20blog%20Getty.jpg?itok=F8zpB9kl)
Strategies for strengthening local economies.
![government building](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/TOPIC%20Government%20slider_2.jpg?itok=baIYu1Ez)
Participants in Illinois Extension Illini Science Scholars Program share their experiences in this unique opportunity.
Natural Resources
![grass](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/grass%20blog.jpg?itok=3hrF7IE1)
Dig deep into the types of grasses and their uses in our world.
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Read the latest news in natural resources.
![field buffer](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/nutrient%20loss%20slider.jpg?itok=syKgLJrr)
The Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides efforts to improve water quality at home and downstream.
![tornado](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/weather%20topic%20slider.jpg?itok=4tLNsEOx)
Weather impacts food production, transportation, homes, and lives.
Horticulture
![mums](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/blog%20slider%20mums%20unsplash.jpg?itok=bKKr5COe)
Keeping you (and your garden) growing with good ideas.
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Gardening in Illinois including everything from vegetable gardening to native plants.
![garden path](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/garden%20path%20slider.jpg?itok=sSEqhmBk)
Where northern Illinois gardeners come to find out what's happening out in the yard.
![flower](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/flower%20blog.jpg?itok=RwuGYAHa)
Local and statewide information on a variety of current topics for home gardeners and market growers.
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Helping new and experienced gardeners develop their skills and knowledge while encouraging everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
![flower](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/TOPIC%20Flower%20slider_0.jpg?itok=w_bDauGa)
Archive of the most popular blog articles from Illinois Extension
Local Food Systems and Specialty Crops
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Learn new resources for urban growers.
![strawberries](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/wahle%20blog.jpg?itok=zz05JuTO)
The "Jungle" refers to Elizabeth Wahle's personal St. Louis Metro East garden and it provides the backdrop for her writings about building and sustaining viable food webs and ecosystems within the home landscape.
![squash soup](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/squash%20unsplash.jpg?itok=nSAgY8n6)
A blog for growers, consumers, and backyard gardeners to grow, eat, and connect in the local food system.
![man holding onion](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/local%20food%20access%20blog%20getty.jpg?itok=1epTU5Q0)
Connecting you with your food, farmers and community.
Know How. Know More. Connecting Food, Farmers, and Community
![carrots in the ground](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/cultivate%20cook%20county%20getty.jpg?itok=qKey_Wqn)
Ramping up local food production in the second-most populous county in the US.
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Conditions can change quickly. As a commercial fruit and vegetable grower, get the latest information as it is available.
Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Agriculture
![angus bull](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/TOPIC%20beef%20slider_1.png.jpg?itok=YpBXQNy4)
The cattlemen's connection to timely topics, current research, and profitable management strategies.
![wheat field](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-07/Blog%20farm%20coach%20400x600.jpg?itok=bt5v2vkB)
Whether you're a farmer or landowner, trust the advice from Extension's farm coach.
![tractor spraying insecticide and pesticide](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-08/TOPIC%20pesticide.jpg?itok=-f6xICWU)
Emerging news and best practices for pesticide use and testing.
![corn](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/TOPIC%20crop%20slider.jpg?itok=G6PWKmTn)
All issues concerning Small Farms, Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and the Natural Resources.
![crops](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/hill%20and%20furrow%20blog.jpg?itok=zCx4Owid)
Current topics about crop production in Western Illinois, including field crops research at the NWIARDC in Monmouth.
Youth Development
![children wearing rainboots](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/TOPIC%20youth%20slider_1.jpg?itok=QHF-YPdU)
4-H’s learning opportunities are intentionally designed around four essential concepts necessary for positive youth development: a sense of belonging with a positive group, independence and self-determination, a spirit of generosity toward others, and a wide variety of opportunities to master life challenges.
![family standing on beach](/sites/default/files/styles/list_collection_image/public/2023-03/Connection%20Corner%20Blog.jpg?itok=eCpaEIIf)
Timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.