Sip, Savor, and Grow at the Mocktails & Mini Gardens: an herb garden experience workshop
NORMAL, Ill. — Herbs bring both beauty and versatility to the garden, offering stunning textures, scents, and colors. Beyond enhancing flower beds and patio gardens, they shine in the kitchen, especially in summer mocktails! Their fragrant leaves and delicate blooms pair perfectly with fresh...
Power up with breakfast at Diabetes Clinic
EUREKA, Ill. — Start your day with a balanced breakfast to help manage diabetes. Join Nutrition and Wellness Educator and Registered Dietitian Jenna Smith, and take home easy-to-make recipes, while connecting with others on the same journey toward better health. We’ll discuss strategies for...
Discover, learn, and inspire as a Master Naturalist
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — For some, there comes a great joy when you hear a child excitedly say, “Look at this cool bug!” or when an adult asks, “How can I care for wildlife in my backyard?” If you, too, experience this joy when out in nature, find pleasure in learning and educating others about the...
Dig into Master Gardener training this fall!
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — For 50 years University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to...
Boost your brainpower with Wits Workout at the Eureka Public Library
EUREKA, Ill. — In 2025, University of Illinois Extension is launching a monthly program at the Eureka Public Library aimed at supporting brain health and social connection among older adults. The Wits Workout series, developed by University of Illinois Extension specialists,...
Young Illinois 4-H members inspire at statewide public speaking contest
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Youth from across the state recently came together to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State...
Youth robotics competition celebrates the youth's creativity and ingenuity
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Youth from 22 teams across Illinois demonstrated their learning, celebrated their accomplishments, and interacted with others who share an interest in robotics at the 2025 4-H Robotics Competition, AiBot held at the Interstate Center on the McLean County Fairgrounds on May 3...
Stress Less, Smile More at the 2025 Diabetes Clinics
EUREKA, Ill. — Mindfulness is a wonderful addition to your self-care routine. In this session, we'll introduce you to the concept of mindfulness and share simple techniques to help you reduce stress and find calm in your daily life. You'll have the opportunity to create your very own mindfulness...
Enhance your container garden with the Rooted in Nature workshop
PONTIAC, Ill. — Native plants offer a variety of benefits for our gardens—from supporting the local ecosystem to thriving in the regional climate and providing essential food and habitat for wildlife and beneficial insects. While many gardeners have already begun incorporating these natural...
Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge pressure canner testing for home canners
URBANA, Ill. — With summer gardens gearing up, it’s time to take canning equipment out of storage. Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge pressure canner testing to ensure the equipment works accurately.A variety of foods can be canned at home through boiling water bath canning and...
Immeasurable impact gained through dedication of Illinois Extension volunteers
URBANA, Ill. — They are friends, neighbors, family members, or someone we run into at local community events. More than 5,000 of these individuals are University of Illinois Extension volunteers.These volunteers make a difference in their...
Farm Family Foods and Illinois Extension to Host Shiitake Log Inoculation Workshop
Did you know that the shiitake mushroom is the second most popular mushroom in the world? In fact, shiitake mushroom production accounts for more than 25% of total global mushroom production annually. Although it is native to East Asian countries like China and Japan, they can also...
Welcome summer with the Master Naturalists’ outdoor education opportunities at COMLARA
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The trees are starting to bloom, and the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists are eager to be back in nature, enjoying the warm weather again and sharing their knowledge about the great outdoors. This summer, Master Naturalists are continuing to expand their...
Jenna Smith named 2025 winner of McLean County Public Health Award
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Jenna Smith, a Nutrition and Wellness Educator at the U of I Extension Office in Bloomington, has been named the winner of the 2025 McLean County Public Health Award. Smith was presented with the award on April 9th at an awards ceremony at McLean County Health Department....
National leadership summit ignites teen career readiness, skills
Washington, D.C. – Twenty-six teen leaders from across Illinois were chosen to represent Illinois 4-H at the Ignite by 4-H Summit, taking place March 13-17 in Washington, D.C.The Ignite by 4-H Summit is a four-day...
Owls of Illinois programming continues to grow
Livingston County is home to small towns with strong community ties, as well as hidden treasures owned by the Prairie Lands Foundation. The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists, in partnership with the Prairie Lands Foundation, strives to help the community experience the beauty...
