Emily Steele is a skilled communicator with a background in journalism and more than 15 years’ experience in storytelling. She serves on the Illinois Extension communications team as a Media Communications Coordinator providing support to horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources program staff statewide. A jack of all trades, her work includes writing, copy editing, social media management, project management, website design, graphic design, and video work.
Emily has a Bachelor’s in journalism from Eastern Illinois University. She joined Illinois Extension in 2015 as a Publicity Promotion Specialist serving DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter, copy editor, and designer at several newspapers. She is passionate about conserving the natural world and is pursuing a Master’s in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois. She volunteers with her comfort dog Sophie at nursing homes, schools and libraries in the Decatur area and in the summer puts in a lot of miles bicycling around Illinois.
Telling the Extension Story
As an Extension communicator, Emily loves sharing a behind-the-scenes look into how Extension staff and volunteers are changing lives with their innovative work.
Email Communications
- Gardeners Corner: This quarterly newsletter explores topics for home gardeners. Never miss an update, subscribe!
- Seasonal resources: A collection of Summer Resources, Fall Resources, Thanksgiving, and Winter Resources.
Horticulture and Gardening
- Community gardens fight food insecurity close to home
- Is there lead in your soil? New Chicago-area map tells you
- Researchers call on backyard scientists to help save pollinators
- Put down the bottle: Handling weeds and insects at home doesn't start with pesticides
- Red Oak Rain Garden welcomes April showers
Natural Resources
- Master Naturalists advocate for diversity in ecosystems and volunteer program
- Warmer temperatures rouse reptiles for spring migration
- Save baby wildlife by stepping back; rescues rarely needed
- Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
- Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
- Nature adapts when heat waves hit
- Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal
- Keep pharmaceuticals out of local waterways with drug take back day
- Yes, it’s safe to charge your electric vehicle in the rain
Forestry
- New directory connects Illinois woodland owners with professional foresters
- Illinois’ big trees are on the map
- Tracking down invasive species with drones
Agriculture
- The spice is right? Researchers explore growing ginger in Illinois
- Crop scientists explore using predator insects to eat pests in high tunnels
- Corn fields add to muggy, humid Midwestern temps
- Researchers, Extension staff help farmers navigate new food safety rules
- Prevent accidents by focusing on safety during busy harvest season
- Midwestern farmers, ranchers can find tools to thrive with new resource center
- Farmers, researchers break ground with new guidelines for budding hemp crop
- Make hitting the hay a priority during harvest