The Extension Connection

Learn how to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds to your backyard

February 24, 2025

Have you noticed different birds at your feeders? Although ruby-throated hummingbirds are expected visitors to gardens east of the Rocky Mountains, several species of vagrant hummingbirds have been documented in Illinois. Did you know that there are citizen science projects looking for your observations on these magnificent creatures? Join Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling to learn about the...

Blog articles

A cartoon image of a sad stomach with Norovirus infection

Protect your customers and loved ones from Norovirus

February 24, 2025

To Your Health

Norovirus is the number one cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The number of Norovirus cases reported to the Centers for Disease...

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Events

Healthy foods pictured in the shape of a heart with a stethoscope

March 7, 2025

Heart Smart Eating
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes to lifestyle, including food choices, can improve symptoms like high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. In "Heart Smart Eating," learn about 4 categories of...

March 11, 2025

What Do I Need to Start A Garden
The Crossing Garden Education series is a free monthly program focusing on a variety of topics during the 2025 growing season. Join the Master Gardeners for the first session in this series and learn about the different types of gardens, containers, soil, seeds, and location options.Dates...

March 12, 2025

Homegrown Harvest: Seed Starting
Homegrown Harvest is a series of free, family-friendly vegetable garden workshops designed to support beginning gardeners through the growing season. These monthly workshops are from 9-10:30 am in the Southside Hill Community Garden, located on the corner of E Lawrence and S Maffit Streets near...

animated raised garden bed with herbs pictured

March 18, 2025

Indoor Edible Gardens
Join us for Indoor Edible Gardens, A Growing Community Program Series Hosted by DeWitt & Piatt County Master Gardeners Gardening is not limited to outside in the summer. Learn how to grow your own fresh herbs, salad greens, micro veggies, and more any time of the year.Register by...

March 27, 2025

Master Naturalist Book Club
Do you love to read? Do you love the natural world? If you answered yes to both of these questions then you will love the discussions our book club has every month. Please feel free to join us! Event Dates:March 27 -The Good Good Pig by Sy MontgomeryApril 24 -Into Thin Air by...