Make the most of summer.
Find everyday inspiration.
Put research-based knowledge to work for you at home, at work, and in your community. Get inspired, build confidence, and trust Extension’s reliable and relatable information to help you navigate health and resilience in all areas of life.
Find local progams
Title
Explore Cicadas of Illinois
2024 is a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois! Two broods will emerge at the same time throughout much of the state as soil temperatures reach 64 F. Besides the noise, which may be substantial, this large group of insects is harmless and can be appreciated and enjoyed by nature lovers of all ages. Learn about the timing, habits, and lifecycles of periodical cicadas and discover how periodical broods differ from Illinois' annual, or dog-day, cicadas.
Connect. Learn. Grow.
![person planting young tomato transplant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/young%20tomato%20plant%20700x350.jpg?itok=RggYe_GF)
Plan Your Garden
Growing your own produce brings many rewards. Plan your garden space and find out when to plant your favorite vegetables and fruit in each Illinois plant hardiness zone.
![cupcakes on a counter](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/cupcakes%20700x350.jpg?itok=PYq8axJ2)
Grow Your Food Business
Learn about the laws, certifications, processes, and practices required to run a home-based cottage food operation safely and legally in Illinois.
![watering can sprinkling young garden plants](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cards_image/public/paragraphs/cards/GC%20Summer%20Web%20Button%20Card%20700x350.jpg?itok=aGBOW2u0)
Spring Into Summer
Beat the heat this summer and learn how to help birds, plants, pollinators, trees, and gardens thrive with resources from our newest issue of Gardeners Corner.
![Up close view of a brown marmorated stink bug on a green leaf.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/BM%20Stink%20Bug%20Adobe%20Web%20Spotlight%201200x800.jpg?itok=fpBgjba8)
New online agriculture course grows skills in identifying corn, soybean field insects
URBANA, Ill. — One thing is for sure, if there is a farm field, insects will visit it. Having the skills to identify insects inhabiting crop fields across the Midwest improves one’s ability to identify and effectively manage insect pests while avoiding unnecessary interventions that may…
![Wind farm over a field of soybeans](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/wind%20farm.jpg?itok=ZiDMar4L)
Illinois clean energy transition excludes key constituents in energy justice equation
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois has made transitioning to clean energy a major priority in recent years with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016 and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021. Both pieces of legislation prioritize an equitable transition, aiming to avoid and address…
![The sun setting over an Illinois prairie and lake](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/EE%20Climate%20Change_Session_1200x800.jpg?itok=eIquricV)
Be a part of the conversation about climate change in Illinois with Everyday Environment
URBANA, Ill. — Discover what climate change means for Illinois now and in the future and explore practical solutions in a free webinar from University of Illinois Extension. Learn from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford how you can play a vital role in helping your community be healthier…
![black and silver pom poms](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/450_x_253/public/2024-04/summer%20programs%20%281920%20%C3%97%201080%20px%29%20%287%29.png?itok=YmkSGyWG)
![A mini golf course hole is present with a club and a ball.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/450_x_253/public/2024-05/Unity%20Summer%20Programming%20Children%26%23039%3Bs%20discovery%20museum%26amp%3B%20mini%20golf%20course.png?itok=0ikdfdTv)
![Bright red bell peppers with "Cultivating Care Donation Garden Stewardship Days" text.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/450_x_253/public/2024-02/147.png?itok=oRosw8SJ)
![cooking pixby](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/450_x_253/public/2024-03/cooking%20pixaby%201920%20x%201080.jpg?itok=vdoj1M3F)