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Resources and Upcoming Programs

Office update

Our Edwardsville office will be operating under irregular and limited hours until further notice. Our office will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and Tuesday and Friday is by appointment only. For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 618-344-4230 or uie-mms@illinois.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

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.

Become a Master Naturalist

Volunteer as a Master Naturalist to educate others about natural resources.

Gateway Volunteer

We’re excited to introduce the Illinois Extension Volunteer Gateway, a new and improved website created by Illinois Extension to make volunteering easier and more rewarding. Whether you're applying for the first time or renewing your commitment, the Gateway will help guide you through the process and keep everything you need in one place!

2024 fall webinar series

The Four Seasons Gardening series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production. Join these free gardening webinars for tips to help you grow!

Illinois Extension Strategic Plan

Throughout 2023 and early 2024, Illinois Extension, in partnership with Huron Consulting Group, engaged in a comprehensive planning process to refine and refresh its core priorities, goals, and paths to success through internal and external stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions statewide. The research yielded vital findings around Extension’s engagement, services, partnerships, and impact and identified shifting trends, demographics, and needs that will impact Illinois residents.

Capture the holiday spirit

Join our 4-H Holiday Photo Contest for Madison and St. Clair County members! Share your holiday cheer in a festive photo for a chance to win prizes in your age group!

Diabetes support group

Join our monthly diabetes support group led by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Kris Juelfs. Connect with peers, exchange practical tips, and enhance your diabetes management skills. Our next session is on December 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. We will have a guest speaker for the October session with Dina Chapman, who is a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. Sessions will continue every 2nd Thursday at the Morrison Talbott Library, 215 Park Street, Waterloo. Reserve your spot by calling 618-939-6232 or emailing mtl@waterloolibrary.org.

Eat well, stay active, and save money

Find tasty recipes, shopping tips, and activities to keep you and your family healthy.

Events

Farmland Owners Conference

November 25, 2024

From Flour to Ferment: Sourdough Starter Essentials

November 26, 2024

From Flour to Ferment: Sourdough Starter Essentials

November 26, 2024

Agriculture Climate Risk Tools Workshop

December 2, 2024

More Events

News Releases

Extension staff member shares information about soil nitrogen with a person at at display booth

November 6, 2024

Illinois Extension brings informative presentations to Greater Peoria Farm Show
PEORIA, Ill. — Meet with agriculture specialists from University of Illinois Extension and learn about the latest research during the Greater Peoria Farm Show, Dec. 3-5.Show attendees...

A group of people stand at the edge of a farm field

November 4, 2024

Scientists tackle farm nutrient pollution with sustainable, affordable designer biochar pellets
URBANA, Ill. — What if farmers could not only prevent excess phosphorus from polluting downstream waterways, but also recycle that nutrient as a slow-release fertilizer, all without spending a lot of money? In a first-of-its-kind...

Two people in a boat with nets on poles watch as dozens of carp jump out of the water

October 29, 2024

Study: Invasive silver carp reduce movement in Chicago-area water
URBANA, Ill. — Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee. Research from the...

October 24, 2024

First bat celebration takes flight to raise awareness about conservation
URBANA, Ill. — Bats are an iconic symbol of spooky season, and more than 800 people attended the first Central Illinois Bat Festival on Sept. 28 in Urbana for a celebration of all things batty, including exhibits on bat conservation, guest speakers, activities for kids, and an evening bat walk...

October 21, 2024

Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients
URBANA, Ill. — What happens to ibuprofen after it eases your throbbing headache? Like many pharmaceuticals, it can remain in an active form when our bodies flush it out. That’s a problem, because although wastewater treatment plants are good at reducing nutrient pollutants in water,...

More News Releases

Programs We Offer

4-H Youth Development