Blog Posts

Scrabble pieces spelling the word Leadership
Read article: Community Leadership for Rural Illinois
Community Leadership for Rural Illinois
In the realm of community development, discussions about creating leadership opportunities in rural American communities abound. Some advocate for...
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Read article: Take advantage of living in a small pond
Take advantage of living in a small pond
For young adults or their parents, small towns may not seem like the most exciting places to live compared to the big city. However, they offer...
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Read article: Turning to-do lists into success strategies
Turning to-do lists into success strategies
Some people like lists; I am one of those types of people. I have daily, weekly, and monthly lists. I have lists for home, for work, for my children...
Read article: The groundwater guide: Where our water comes from and the challenges communities face
The groundwater guide: Where our water comes from and the challenges communities face
Do you know where your drinking water comes from? If you are like most people, the answer is no. While the City of Chicago and many of its...

News Releases

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Elmwood gears up for increased tourism with Illinois Extension
PEORIA, Ill. - Elmwood is a small town in west central Peoria County, with a population close to 2,000 people. It has a wealth of cultural arts and natural assets that attract tourists. Students in the Sustainability and Rural Tourism course in the University of Illinois Department of Recreation...
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Workshop highlights tourism marketing strategies for rural communities
SHABBONA, Ill. - The benefits of small-town living seem apparent for those who live in a small town. However, it can be challenging for rural communities to market those benefits to a larger audience and increase tourism traffic. To address these challenges, University of Illinois Extension has...

Staff

Nancy Ouedraogo

Nancy Ouedraogo

Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
Laura Payne

Laura Payne

Professor, Extension Specialist, Director of the Office of Recreation & Park Resources (ORPR)