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A little girl with arms outstretched is sitting on her father's shoulders.

Family Files

 Two seedling emerging from the soil. Good growing logo.

Good Growing

 A young girl sitting against a tree in the woods is drawing in a journal.

Naturalist Notebook

 Looking up through some trees to a bright blue sky with white puffy clouds.

Naturalist News

Recent Blog Articles

Blog Articles
municipal codes on native plantings
What if my city doesn't like my native garden?
Gardening with native plants has gained substantial popularity in the last decade, but attitudes favoring — and landscaping ordinances enforcing —...
a waving stand of cereal rye cover crop in the garden just before termination
Plant cereal rye this fall and prepare garden soil for success in 2027
Plant cereal rye this fall and prepare garden soil for success in 2027October signals harvest time across Central Illinois, with...
A tree with golden leaves and a heart with the word gratitude hanging from a branch
A simple gratitude practice for better health and well-being
Are you looking for a simple daily practice that can improve your health and well-being? The answer may be as close as a short list, and it might not...
cows grazing cornstalks
A golden opportunity
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of grazing cornstalks. Lowering feed costs, extending the grazing season, and getting animals back out on the...
Cover crop emerging in a field
Cover crop conversations: when to seed a cover crop
When it comes to seeding cover crops, timing matters, but the right timing can look different depending on where you farm and what you are trying to...
Setting sun and clouds behind a combine in a farm field during harvest.
Farm Estate Planning Series: How Well Do You Really Know Your Family?
Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal or tax advice.Family dynamics are complex...
young tree with rock and plaque next to it that reads "In loving memory -our beloved oak- planted 2024"
Memorial Trees: Honoring Loved Ones Through Nature
Losing a loved one is never easy. It can be hard to find the right words to say, know the right actions to take to support yourself or those around...
Nesting birds
Coexisting with nesting birds: protecting the home and supporting wildlife
Every spring and summer, increased bird activity becomes noticeable around the home. I love sitting outside on my patio and watching my yard...
More Blogs

Popular Blogs from across Illinois Extension

Agriculture

Acres of Knowledge

All issues concerning Small Farms, Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

Hill & Furrow

News from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural R&D Center.

Community & Economic Development 

Building Entrepreneurial Communities

Strategies for strengthening local economies.

Community Health

Community Health: Education, Prevention & Inspiration

Empowering people to make healthy, respectful, and responsible choices.

Consumer Economics 

Be Centsible

Written by college students, for college students. Be Centsible features answers to personal finance questions.

Fearless Financial Future

Research-based financial information to help us develop and maintain thoughtful and effective financial behaviors.

Plan Well, Retire Well

Great retirements don't happen by accident. Tips for saving and investing your money.

Environment

All About Weather

Learn more about Illinois weather patterns.

Naturalist News

Share your passion for nature and learn ways to protect our natural world.

Naturalist's Notebook

Experience the natural world through reviews and journal entries with Master Naturalist's.

Grasses at a Glance

Dig deep into the types of grasses and their uses in our world.

Family 

Community Health: Education, Prevention and Inspiration

Empowering people to make healthy, respectful and responsible choices.

Family Files

Facts for all ages.

Refill Your Cup with Self-Care

Genuine, sustained self-care is an art.

Salud y Familia

Resources in Spanish.

Horticulture 

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Local and statewide information on a variety of current topics for home gardeners and market growers.

The Garden Scoop

Featuring seasonal tips and tricks from the horticulture team at Illinois Extension.

Good Growing

Keeping you growing with good ideas from Christopher Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart.

Illinois River Hort

Helping new and experienced gardeners develop their skills and knowledge while encouraging everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

Know How, Know More

Connecting you with your food, farmers, and community.

Over the Garden Fence

Where gardeners come to find out what's happening out in the yard.

Raise, Grow, Harvest, Eat, Repeat

A blog for growers, consumers, and backyard gardeners to grow, eat, and connect in the local food system.

Nutrition and Wellness 

Be Smart, Eat Well, Get Healthy

Nutrition information you can use.

Healthy Eats and Repeat

Highlighting food, recipes, and ideas for a healthy lifestyle.

Live Well, Eat Well

Information by our Nutrition and Wellness Extension Educators from across Illinois.

Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious

Helpful tips to make meals easy, healthy, and tasty!

Turnip the Beet! Nutrition and Wellness

Timely news, information, and innovative ideas to promote health and influence change.

Youth Development

Connection Corner

Timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.

Our Illinois 4-H Story

Telling the amazing stories of Illinois 4-H members, volunteers, and alumni.