Serving Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby Counties

Grow with Us

Announcements and Highlights

4-H Fair

4-H fair season is in full swing, learn more about each fair

4-H Fair Hub

Green and Growing

Whether it’s your first-year gardening or you’ve been growing for decades, a gardener is always learning

Get Growing

Partners in Produce

By sharing a little, we can help a lot

Program Information

Maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse or romantic partner can be a challenge.

This free online program will get you there.

Strong Couples

Free webinar series from the University of Illinois

No matter your age, learn valuable life lessons and gain relevant, easy-to-understand tips for living an inspiring, healthful, and rich life.

2024 Flyer

TLC

Elevate your skills with Thinking, Learning, and Caring

More Information

Maximize profit on your farm

All the tools you need to stay up-to-date on the markets and to make economical farm decisions.

Quarterly Companion

Check out the Spring Quarterly Companion newsletter.

Review the guidelines

Ensure you're following the new guidelines for selling homemade foods.

Resources

Online courses

We provide learning on your terms so you can be who you were meant to be.

Food Preservation

Enjoy garden-fresh foods all year long by preserving at home. We'll take you through the journey, from the equipment you'll need to the step-by-step-process.

More Info

Keep these handy guides ready when problems emerge.

Upcoming Local Events

Cooking with Chemistry

May 15, 2024 - June 12, 2024

County

Douglas

A child eating an apple and reading something

Nutrition Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers: Decoding Mixed Messages About How To Feed Young Children

May 16, 2024

Nutrition Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers: Decoding Mixed Messages About How To Feed Young Children

May 16, 2024

Putting Healthy Food on the Table: Addressing Food Access Challenges for Families With Young Children

May 30, 2024

More Events

News Releases

Tie dye yellow and green background with Four Seasons Gardening text.

May 15, 2024

Spend summer days growing, supporting gardens with webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Get ready to spend summer days outdoors gardening, exploring, and enjoying the growing season by adding in Four Seasons Gardening webinars beginning June 11. University of...

A sunset over flowering prairie plants on the edge of a field

May 15, 2024

Farmers share real-life experiences of using edge-of-field conservation practices
GALESBURG, Ill. — When it comes to farming, experience is often the best teacher. This June, producers can get answers to their questions about installing edge-of-field conservation practices by connecting with farmers who have first-hand knowledge at the Cultivating Conversations: How and Why...

Black Angus cow standing up close out in a pasture.

May 14, 2024

Explore how starting at the soil can strengthen production at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day
URBANA, Ill. — Soil health and quality play a significant role in the nutritional value of pastures and cover crops, determining grazing strategies and sustainability. Attending the University of Illinois Extension Dudley Smith Farm Field Day this...

Two men at a table inspect a red crayfish in a container

May 13, 2024

Illinois Conservation Police dive into preventing spread of aquatic invasive species
DECATUR, Ill. — A group of 150 Illinois Conservation Police Officers gathered in Decatur for a hands-on workshop on aquatic invasive species during their annual meeting this spring. Developed by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic invasive species team in...

A large oak tree behind blooming flowers

May 10, 2024

Rainfall management outreach, engagement expands with grant from American Water
URBANA, Ill. — It can be frustrating when a spring storm washes away new plants or when a summer drought leaves a garden wilting. Whether it’s too much or too little, University of Illinois Extension provides resources and examples for how to manage rainfall and what homeowners and communities...

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Programs We Offer