Grow in your knowledge and skills with Illinois Extension!
(MILAN, Ill) Illinois Extension is proud to unveil its Winter-Spring Program Guide, featuring a diverse lineup of programs, workshops, and events designed to inspire learning, wellness, and community connection. From gardening and tree care to tai chi and wellness, this season...
Tree care expertise grows through Illinois Extension webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Tree care isn't always led just by certified arborists, so University of Illinois Extension is ensuring that everyone has access to research-backed information on practicing proper tree care. “Trees are more than scenery,...
Illinois Extension Launches “8 Dimensions of Wellness” Series in Moline
(MOLINE, Ill.) Kick off the new year with intention and insight! Illinois Extension educators and local experts invite the community to explore the 8 Dimensions of Wellness—key areas that contribute to a balanced, fulfilling life—through a four-week interactive...
Annual research-backed training yields results for commercial fruit tree growers
HARDIN, Ill. — Growing fruit on trees is a rewarding experience, but it comes with challenges. From pests and disease to climate stress or soil issues, a single mistake can set back growth. Growers can get current research-based information to help their tree fruits thrive at the Southwestern...
New family resource helps tackle digital challenges at home
URBANA, Ill. — The advent of smartphones, social media platforms, streaming video sites, and numerous other technological advancements has led to unprecedented changes throughout society, including changes in daily life at home. This rapid change has raised multiple questions and concerns among...
Discover practical tools for a healthy, inspiring life
URBANA, Ill. — As people age, they face various challenges affecting their cognitive abilities, social participation, and overall health. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach that includes healthcare, social support, and financial planning to ensure a dignified and...
Illinois Extension offers legal series to empower farmers to strengthen, safeguard operations
URBANA, Ill. — In times of uncertainty, protecting your livelihood and assets is essential. Each farm and farm family has a unique experience and specific needs, but the success of Illinois farmers is vital for everyone in our state.“With the converging crises of the COVID-19 pandemic,...
Illinois Extension Agronomy Summits equip farmers with strategies for year ahead
URBANA, Ill. — With harvest season behind us and spring planting on the horizon, now is the time to prepare for the year ahead. University of Illinois Extension invites farmers, agronomists, and agriculture professionals to attend one of the...
Make Your Food Donations Count This Holiday Season
MILAN, Ill. – The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving. But in 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. With the federal government shutdown now entering its fifth week, SNAP benefits for nearly 1.9 million Illinois residents are set to end on November 1. Food pantries...
A Thanksgiving Table Reimagined
Across Illinois, the spirit of Thanksgiving is alive—not in the form of a golden turkey, but in the warmth of community and creativity. With rising food costs and reduced SNAP benefits, many families are turning to local food pantries for support. But this year, turkeys are scarce, and vouchers...
Make Food Waste One Tradition You Leave Behind
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate abundance, gratitude, and togetherness. It’s also a perfect moment to reflect on how we can make the most of our food—not just on the holiday, but all year long. Did you know the average family loses $1,500 annually to wasted food?...
Water trees wisely to beat winter woes
URBANA, Ill. — As autumn colors emerge, it may seem that trees are preparing for rest. However, when fall brings dry conditions instead of seasonal rains, trees can enter winter under stress. Fall droughts can be subtle but have lasting impacts. With timely care, trees can weather dry spells and...
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...
Breathe Easier This October: 7 Steps to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
October is Healthy Lung Month, a timely reminder to prioritize lung health and early detection. With most people spending nearly 90% of their time indoors, the air inside our homes plays a critical role in overall well-being. Children, older adults, and individuals with asthma or heart disease...
Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...
