Petals & Poses: A yoga and sensory walk experience at Yost House
PONTIAC, Ill. — A garden is a magical place. It offers a natural escape from the stresses of daily life, encouraging mindfulness, movement, and a deep connection to the earth. In every leaf, bloom, and harvest, the garden reminds us to slow down, breathe, and embrace the healing power of nature...
Show your Livingston County pride at the 4-H Show
PONTIAC, Ill. — In a changing world, 4-H shows are an enduring community tradition. Supporting the 4-H show through your participation, volunteering, and attendance can be an impactful way to celebrate youth achievement and connect with others. The Livingston County 4-H Show at the Livingston...
Support a local legacy at the Woodford County 4-H Show
EUREKA, Ill. — In a changing world, 4-H shows are an enduring community tradition. Supporting the 4-H show through your participation, volunteering, and attendance can be an impactful way to celebrate youth achievement and connect with others. The Woodford 4-H Show from July 21 through 24 at the...
New building for University of Illinois Extension Woodford office
EUREKA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension serving Woodford County announces that they have moved to a new office at 1201 S. Main Street, Eureka, IL.The Woodford County Extension staff opened up the doors to their new office on Monday, June 2. The office hours continue to be Monday...
Celebrate National Pollinator Week in your container garden and beyond
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Pollinators are struggling, but they play a huge role in our everyday lives. Bees, butterflies, and other tiny pollinators help produce about one-third of the food we eat and keep over 80% of flowering plants thriving. They’re essential not just for nature, but for people too...
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...
