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graph with a red line above a blue line representing daily high and low temperatures in bloomington from aug 22 to sept 13 2025
Read article: From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Unity Community Center demonstration site update
From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Unity Community Center demonstration site update
Weather and precipitation summary for Bloomington-NormalHere in central Illinois over the last 30 days, the hottest temperature...
lots of red apples hanging on limbs of tree
Read article: From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Apple and pumpkin update
From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Apple and pumpkin update
As of this week, 9/22, we are about halfway into the apple season in Northern Illinois. I’ve had the opportunity to visit six orchards in the area...
display of orange, blue, and tan pumpkins on top of upside down milk crates
Read article: From St. Louis Metro East: Fall agritourism season has opened
From St. Louis Metro East: Fall agritourism season has opened
Despite droughty conditions much of the growing season, the pumpkin crop looks plentiful.  Apple harvest is in the ‘Golden Delicious’ window,...
many orange jack o lantern pumpkins stacked in bins in a field
Read article: From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Pumpkin season is here!
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Pumpkin season is here!
Whether it feels like fall or not, fall is here, and pumpkin season has started.  We have been very dry and other than a few breaks have had...

News Releases

Videos

Mushroom Production on Small Farms

Direct market farmers, homesteaders, land-owners, hobby farms, and backyard growers can learn practices to improve production and increase profit.

Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

On this week’s Good Growing podcast we talk with Illinois Extension local foods educator Nick Frillman about growing gourmet shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard. Nick shows us the tools and methods used to turn fresh cut logs of white oak and sugar maple into inoculated “bolts” that will...

Staff