Emily Steele is a skilled communicator with a background in journalism and more than 15 years of 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 M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois and a B.A. 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 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.
Professional memberships
- National Association of Science Writers
- Epsilon Sigma Phi
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
- Hunters, meat processors, and food pantries aim to solve hunger
- Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay
- 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