Your Partner Through Every Season.

Announcements and Highlights

Drought-Tolerant Plants Botanical Workshop

Join horticulture educator Emily Swihart on Aug 27 at 10 AM to explore plants that don't require too much watering. You'll learn species to consider and simple water-smart practices you can use right away. Then create your own air plant terrarium to take home. Get all the details and register today!

Fall Harvest Prairie Tour

Join Illinois Extension and our Mercer County Master Gardeners on Sept. 15 at 5:30 PM for an evening prairie tour of the amazing Prairie Hills Farm in Aledo. The event includes an open hayrack ride led by homeowner Bill Joseph, who will talk about the plants and history. Get details and sign up.

Food Preservation Methods

Explore Preservation Methods with Illinois Extension. From canning to freezing, pickling to fermenting, to making jellies and jams, and much more. It's a great way to make your fresh produce last. See recipes, how-tos, safe canning, and more!

Events

What's in My Food? Decoding Chemicals and Safety

August 11, 2026

Selling Timber: What the Landowner Needs to Know

August 12, 2026

Ecology at Your Home

August 13, 2026

Sunflower Showmanship Contest

August 15, 2026

More Events

News Releases

Playful Woman with Vegetables and Fruits, Healthy Diet and Fun Nutrition Concept. Redhead woman in kitchen holding yellow pepper rings over eyes with a variety of fresh produce on the counter.

July 31, 2026

See the World Clearly: Everyday Habits for Healthy Eyes
Did you know your eyes can distinguish millions of colors? Or that the muscles controlling your eyes are among the busiest in your body, making thousands of movements every day? From reading a favorite book to recognizing a familiar face, our eyes work tirelessly to help us experience the world...

woman in greenhouse porch making a phone call

July 22, 2026

Horticulture Helpline: Support for Your Gardening Questions
(MILAN, Ill.) The Horticulture Helpline is here to help you get your gardening questions answered throughout the gardening season.  Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are ready with trusted advice and the latest research‑based information and resources. If you live in the Illinois Counties...

A woman with a clipboard checks the food in an open refrigerator

July 14, 2026

Help shape solutions to food waste by taking the Illinois Household Food Waste Survey
URBANA, Ill. — From farm to table to trash can, what happens to food is bigger than leftovers. Producing food uses valuable resources like water and fuel, and when uneaten food ends up in landfills, it...

girl looking through hear-shaped hole in a slice of watermelon

June 26, 2026

Savor the season: Summer produce for health and hydration
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, flavorful fruits and vegetables at their peak. Beyond great taste, choosing seasonal produce can support wellness by boosting hydration, increasing antioxidant intake, and providing a variety of nutrients that help the body thrive during warmer...

June 10, 2026

New webinar series empowers Illinois communities with trusted health expertise
URBANA, Ill. — Current technology puts health information at our fingertips, but not all of it is reliable. As misleading content spreads quickly online, communities need clear, science‑based guidance more than ever. That’s why educators, researchers, and community partners are collaborating to...

More News Releases