Extending Knowledge. Extension Is Here To Help.

RESOURCES AND UPCOMING PROGRAMS

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Become a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to share reliable and research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners. Learn how to get involved.
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Become a Master Naturalist

Volunteer as a Master Naturalist to educate others about natural resources. Learn how to get involved.
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Gardeners Corner

Each issue highlights seasonal recommendations and how-tos that will make your houseplants, landscape, or garden shine in any season. Join the mailing list and get direct access to timely tips!
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Get the Latest Fall Gardening Tips

Keep the season alive with free fall gardening webinars! Get tips for dividing perennials, learn to appreciate time spent in nature, and get a jumpstart on next year’s growing season by making the most out of your garden space.
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Illinois Fruit & Vegetable News

Get practical production advice and regional updates to improve your specialty crop farming operation. Read the latest issue.
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4-H for the Holidays

Calling all parents in need of some extra time for Christmas preparations! Give yourself a break and let your kids (ages 5-12) join us for a joyous day of crafts and games at the Monroe County Annex. Not only will they have a blast, but all proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Monroe County Teen Federation.
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Join our 4-H contests

Unleash your creativity and talent! Join our 4-H holiday-themed photography contest, 4-H t-shirt design contest, and the 4-H showbook cover design contests for Madison and St. Clair counties. Visit our 4-H Madison and St. Clair pages for all contest details. 
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Eat well, Stay Active, and Save Money

Find tasty recipes, shopping tips, and activities to keep you and your family healthy.
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Supporting Local Farmers with LFPA

Illinois has $28M to support local farmers and fight hunger in Illinois through USDA’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program. LFPA aims to strengthen the Illinois food system over the next two years by purchasing food at fair market value from socially disadvantaged growers and producers. The best part? Community members in need will receive the food at no cost. Let's create a collaborative network of food system support. Together, we can make a difference!  

Events
More Events
News Releases
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Bloom in the winter with gift of amaryllis bulb kit
URBANA, Ill. — The gift of gardening is an experience anyone can appreciate this holiday season. Take the stress out of shopping this holiday season and give a blooming amaryllis kit that brings the beauty of nature indoors. Poinsettias are beautiful, popular holiday plants, but the gift...
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Illinois continues work to improve waterways by reducing nutrient pollution
URBANA, Ill. — The loss of nutrients into Illinois’ lakes, streams, and rivers harms water quality here and downstream all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, NLRS, was established in 2015 and is designed to reduce nutrient pollution in Illinois’...
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Getting agriculture carbon market questions answered
URBANA, Ill. — When looking to adopt new agricultural practices, it is helpful to hear about experiences from neighbors and locate resources to answer questions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois...
More News Releases
Programs We Offer
A boy using a sewing machine 4-H Youth Development
Tractor in a field of row crops Commercial Agriculture
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Group on large windmills in green grassy area Energy & Environment
A family of 3 laughing, smiling, and hugging Family Life
Gardener sitting in row moving plants from flowerpots to ground Horticulture
Youth smiling while stirring pot on stove at cooking class Illinois Nutrition Education Programs
teen being interviewed on video JJK Food. Agriculture. Nutrition. Innovation Center
Hands holding a basket of fruits and vegetables shaped like a heart with fitness equipment on the floor Nutrition & Wellness

Dig Deeper

Topics we address
Agricultural Technology
Beef Cattle
Climate
Community Gardens
Community Planning
Composting
Container Gardens
Cottage Food
Crops
Diabetes
Disasters
Economic Development
Energy
Environmental Quality
Family
Farm Management
Finances
Firewood
Flowers
Food
Forestry
Fruit Trees for Home Gardens
Health
Hemp
Herbs
Home Vegetable Gardening
Houseplants
Illinois Grasses
Insects
Invasives
Lawns
Livestock
Local Food Systems and Small Farms
Local Government Education
Mental Health
Mushrooms
Natural Resources
Plant Problems
Plants
Pumpkins
Rainfall Management
Regenerative Agriculture
Septic Systems
Soil
Specialty Crops
Thriving Youth
Turkey
Vaccines
Weather
Youth Gardening

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings

State Extension
Madison, Monroe and St. Clair Counties

Monroe County
901 Illinois Avenue
PO Box 117
Waterloo, IL 62298
Phone: 618-939-3434
Email: uie-mms@illinois.edu

Madison County
1606 Eastport Plaza Drive, Suite 100
Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: 618-344-4230

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center 
2051 Lynch Ave
East St. Louis, IL 62204
Phone: 618-875-8939

Scott Air Force Base Youth Center 
4691 Patriots Drive
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
Phone: 618-256-4991