U of I Extension Gallatin/Hamilton/Hardin/Pope/Saline/White

09/10/2026

Are you a 4-H leader looking to learn something new to bring to your club meetings and gain continuing education hours? Then look no further!

On September 17 from 7 - 8 PM. Linda Perucca from the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation will present a hands-on virtual workshop on fun food science experiments and activities you can take back to your 4-H club meetings.

Visit extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-09-17-fun-food-science-4-h-club-meetings to register and learn more about the program.

09/09/2026

Troubled by tomatoes? Yeah….

Maybe some cracking, black spots on the bottom, delayed or refused ripening, or showing strange yellow shoulders?

Tune in to the team as Chris and Ken dig into the most common tomato fruit disorders caused by weather, watering, heat, and nutrient imbalances.

Try to turn those tomato troubles around with tips for late-season tomato care, including topping plants, ripening green tomatoes indoors, and cleaning up the garden to reduce problems next year.

🎧 Listen to anywhere you get your podcasts or online at https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-263-its-not-disease-common-tomato-fruit-problems-you-cant-spray-away-goodgrowing

🔗Troubles with Tomatoes: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-05-01-troubles-tomatoes

09/09/2026

What’s something you wish you knew before starting a business?

Entrepreneurship is more than freedom and flexibility. It’s long hours, tough decisions, constant adaptation, and finding the balance between doing what you love and doing what the business needs to grow.

Read our new blog and discover valuable lessons learned along the journey
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/building-entrepreneurial-communities/2026-08-31-what-i-wish-i-had-known-starting-my-business-part-2

University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development

09/03/2026

Walking is one of the most accessible and effective ways to improve overall health. Let’s Walk for Wellness! is a program that will help you connect with others, build confidence, and take meaningful steps towards better health.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am, from Sep. 22 - Oct. 29, join Extension at the Harrisburg Township Park District, Paul Emery Park, for a walking workout group tailored to your fitness level and ability.

Let’s Walk for Wellness! welcomes individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Registration is required, call 618-252-8391 to take the first step to staying active!

09/03/2026

Calling all club leaders!

Elevate your 4-H club meetings with an exciting opportunity to integrate fun and engaging food science experiments. Join our hands-on virtual workshop, where Linda Perucca from the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation will guide you through tasty activities that bring food science concepts to life.

Discover the art of product development with a potato chip seasoning lab, craft ice cream in a bag right from home, and enjoy demonstrations on creating bubble gum and rock candy. Plus, registered participants have the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card to stock up on supplies for your club.

Date and Time: September 17, 7–8 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Audience: 4-H club leaders

For details and registration, visit go.illinois.edu/fun-food-science-4-h-club-meetings

Let's make learning delicious!

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

Summer gardens are beginning to turn brown and it's time to look ahead to fall. You may be wondering, "what will I do now?". Before you put up your garden tools for the summer, there are a few things you can do to set your garden up for success for the next growing season!

Join Extension on Sep. 22 at the Eldorado First Baptist Church for a Summer Garden Wrap-Up event to learn about fall garden tasks, cover crops for the home or community garden, and tips and resources for ensuring safe storage of home-preserved food!

Learn more and register at go.illinois.edu/SummerGardenWrap-up

08/31/2026

Technology often gets a bad reputation, but it can also be a powerful tool for strengthening family connections!

While excessive screen time can affect self-esteem, family relationships, and online safety, technology also offers many benefits. Discover five ways families can use technology to learn, connect, create, and grow together in our latest blog.

🔗 Read more: https://publish.illinois.edu/smartfamilies/resources/positive-family-technology-use/

08/24/2026

It's that time of year! Large farm machinery is on the move, and that means you may be sharing the road from time to time.

Remember to slow down and move over so everyone gets where they're going safely!

🚜 Farm season means sharing the road with large farm equipment and an increase in slow-moving machinery on our local roads. Share the road with care. Farmers are just trying to get to and from their jobs, too.

08/21/2026

Several 4-Hers traveled to the Illinois State Fair general show last weekend to showcase their award-winning projects!

Congratulations to all who presented their projects and represented our counties well!