1689 N. 31st Rd Suite 2 Ottawa IL 61350
Emily Hansen is a Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties. In her role, Emily develops and delivers research-based educational programs that help people connect with and better understand the natural world. She works with diverse audiences to promote conservation, habitat stewardship, environmental literacy, and sustainable land management practices. Through partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, and community members, Emily helps expand access to natural resources education and supports efforts that foster healthy ecosystems and engaged communities.
Emily also oversees the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteer programs in Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties. She works with over 70 active volunteers to provide research-based education in horticulture and natural resources, coordinate local citizen science efforts, and support collaborative gardens.
While her primary focus is natural resources and environmental education, Emily continues to support agricultural producers across north-central Illinois through educational programs such as the Oglesby Agronomy Summit, IVCC + Extension Fall Field Day, and Sustainability on the Farm series. Drawing on her background in sustainable agriculture, she provides research-based information on soil health, cover crops, nutrient management, and conservation practices that benefit both farm productivity and environmental quality.
Emily graduated with her master’s degree in biological sciences in the behavior, ecology, evolution, and systematics sequence from Illinois State University. During her time at ISU, Emily engaged in impactful research exploring the influence of cover crops on soil microbial communities. Emily got her start in microbial ecology at Lewis University where she researched aquatic and soil microbial communities. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Lewis University in 2019. Raised in a fifth-generation farming family from Grundy County, Emily brings both scientific and on-farm perspectives to her work.
Emily is passionate about helping people of all backgrounds discover, enjoy, and care for the natural resources that support healthy communities. By connecting research with real-world application, she works to inspire informed decision-making, conservation action, and lifelong engagement with nature. Emily can be reached at the LaSalle County Extension Office (1689 N. 31st Rd, Suite 2, Ottawa, IL 61350), by calling (815) 433-0707, or by email at emhansen@illinois.edu.
Media:
Brownfield Ag News: Depressed ag economy resulting in increased farmer mental health concerns
Illinois Ag Connection: Meet the new ag educator in Illinois
The Pantagraph: Are fencerows a lost practice worth reviving?
Recent Programs:
Sustainability on the Farm series
This program series provided local farmers and landowners with valuable knowledge and practical tools to enhance their agricultural operations while prioritizing environmental sustainability. Topics included cover crops, wildlife habitat, conservation tillage, edge of field practices, and cost share programs. This series will return in 2027 in a new webinar format.
Oglesby Agronomy Summit
The Oglesby Agronomy Summit provided the latest research updates from crop science experts from the Univeristy of Illinois on corn and soybean management, farm finances, industrial hemp, and crop diseases. The Summit will return in 2027.
IVCC Ag + Extension Fall Field Day
The annual Fall Field Day highlights the partnership between Illinois Valley Community College's Agriculture program and the University of Illinois Extension and provides the latest research updates from field trials happening at the college.