Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Impact

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Announcements and Highlights

Living with chronic pain can feel isolating—but it doesn’t have to. Starting October 2, 2025, this free six-week course offers practical strategies to help you manage pain and reclaim your quality of life. Led by trained facilitators who also live with ch

Native Seed Share

Join us at Owsley Habitat for a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and enhance your landscaping! The Native Seed Share is all about helping you incorporate native plants into your home environment while supporting vital wildlife habitats.

Tai Chi

Move with Ease—Discover the Power of Tai Chi! Experience a gentle yet powerful way to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance while reducing pain and fall risk! Medical studies confirm that Tai Chi for Arthritis enhances quality of life, and the

Information You Can Count On

Community Food Map

Use the Find Food IL map to find places in your community offering free food or meals. You can also find stores and markets that accept SNAP/LINK or WIC coupons.

Insights from the Field: Read Our Educator Blogs

Curious about what’s growing in our gardens, changing in our communities, or trending in youth development? Our educators share their expertise, stories, and practical tips through regularly updated blogs.

Your Toughest Questions, Answered

Have a question on a plant, tree, or insect? Our horticulture experts will share their advice and solutions to your toughest problems.

Upcoming Events

Honey and Health: Nature's Sweet Treat

October 14, 2025

Protecting Your Heart and Metabolism: Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Conditions in Older Adults

October 15, 2025

Uncovering the Winter Secrets of Whip-poor-wills

October 16, 2025

Fall Community Tree Planting Workshop | Urbana

October 18, 2025

More Events

Recent News

A stack of recently smashed pumpkins piled in a dumpster to be hauled off for compost

October 13, 2025

Recycle pumpkins with a smash at Illinois Extension fall community composting events
URBANA, Ill. — Whether picking out pumpkins from a field or carving fun faces for jack-o'-lanterns with friends, pumpkins naturally give off fall vibes. But what happens when they start to decay on the porch or countertop, and it’s time to say goodbye? Where do they go? Many think...

October 10, 2025

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...

attendees listen to speaker at stormwater conference

October 7, 2025

Stormwater Leadership Summit unites Northern Illinois communities in search for regional solutions
GLENCOE, Ill. — On Sept. 25, more than 100 community leaders, engineers, planners, and stormwater experts gathered at the Chicago Botanic Garden for the first-of-its-kind Stormwater Leadership Summit to address one of Illinois' most pressing...

A black angus bull side view pose outdoors for sale catalog listing style

October 3, 2025

Start selecting 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Sale bulls
URBANA, Ill. — Seedstock breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The IPT Bull Sale is the leadoff event for the annual Illinois Beef Expo in...

A group of people watch a training on using tools outdoors

October 1, 2025

Online and on the ground, new program empowers Illinois communities to tackle invasive species
URBANA, Ill. — When is the best time to remove invasive amur bush honeysuckle? Is it better to mow an invasion of teasel or treat it with an herbicide? What is the best way to get rid of tree of heaven?...

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Local Programs We Offer

4-H Youth Development