U of I Extension Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery County

U of I Extension Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery County Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans to 4:30 p.m. (Closed noon - 1 p.m.) Webster St. to 4 p.m.

University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. We serve as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Our mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.

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Please review our social media commenting policy: https://stratcom.illinois.edu/social-media-comment-guidelines/

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Office Locations and Hours:

Montgomery County Extension Office (Main office)
1 Industrial Park Dr.
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: 217-532-3941
FAX: 217-532-3944
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. Christian County Extension Office
1120 N. Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-287-7246
FAX: 217-532-3944
Hours: Monday (by appt. only); Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. (Closed 11:30 a.m. - noon)

Jersey County Extension Office
201 W. Exchange St. - Suite A
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: 618-498-2913
FAX: 618-498-5913
Hours: By appointment only

Macoupin County Extension Office
60 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626
Phone: 217-854-9604
FAX: 217-532-3944
Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m.

The weather might not feel like fall, but it is time for our unit-wide 4-H Fall Photo Contest by taking a fall-themed ph...
09/16/2026

The weather might not feel like fall, but it is time for our unit-wide 4-H Fall Photo Contest by taking a fall-themed photo! The photo MUST be taken by the 4-H member and during the current 4-H year. Only one entry per member. 📸🍂

Winners will be chosen from three age categories:
Cloverbud ages 5-7
4-H member ages 8-13
4-H member ages 14-18

Submit your fall photo by Nov. 30 at go.illinois.edu/Unit4HFall26PhotoContest

You see a big spider — do you go "Oooo" 😀 or "Ah!" 😧 ?No other “bug” generates quite as much "Eeek!" as spiders, especia...
09/15/2026

You see a big spider — do you go "Oooo" 😀 or "Ah!" 😧 ?

No other “bug” generates quite as much "Eeek!" as spiders, especially if you've just walked through a web!

Fall is a great time to see spiders and their webs in Illinois. Orb weavers, from the families Araneidea and Tetragnathidae, are the most common builders of spiral-shaped webs, help to remove pests, and spin webs that are fascinating marvels of engineering 🕷️🕸️

• Generally not aggressive
• Webs may contain at least four different types of silk
• Zig-zag pattern of dense silk (stabilimentum) in the web displays UV fluorescence, thought to lure prey

If a spider has spun its web in an unwanted location, like your front door, gently shoo it away and remove the web. After a few times, the spider should get the message and move on.

More at https://go.illinois.edu/OrbWeavers

There are still some spots left for our class on Thursday (9/17) at 5:30 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospital! This pra...
09/15/2026

There are still some spots left for our class on Thursday (9/17) at 5:30 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospital! This practical, hands-on session will help you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy good food.

This class looks at simple ways to cut food waste, store foods safely, and understand what expiration dates really mean. We’ll talk about how to use ingredients from root to stalk and stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.

Register at 🔗go.illinois.edu/TMHFoodWaste or call Christian County Extension at 217-287-7246.

This class is offered at no cost and will take place at Taylorville Memorial Hospital in Classroom 1413. If you are unsure where to go, check with the front desk attendants at the main entrance.

Love it or hate it, coffee is here to stay! ☕Learn all about this popular drink, from its discovery through its cultivat...
09/15/2026

Love it or hate it, coffee is here to stay! ☕

Learn all about this popular drink, from its discovery through its cultivation, processing, and commercial preparation and distribution. For those who prefer their coffee decaffeinated, learn about the decaffeination process and the whys and hows behind specialty coffee drinks and their growing popularity.

Join us next Tuesday (9/22) at 10 a.m. at the Macoupin County Extension Office in Carlinville to learn all about coffee!

This class is presented in collaboration with the Macoupin County Home and Community Education Association. Registration is not required.

Stay in the loop on specialty crops statewide and beyond with Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News!🔗Read the September news...
09/14/2026

Stay in the loop on specialty crops statewide and beyond with Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News!

🔗Read the September newsletter and previous editions at https://go.illinois.edu/IFVN

We offer soil testing!• $25 per soil test (can pay by check, cash, or credit card).• Drop off at any of our offices duri...
09/14/2026

We offer soil testing!

• $25 per soil test (can pay by check, cash, or credit card).

• Drop off at any of our offices during normal business hours. Information will have to be filled out.

• Please allow 2-3 weeks for soil test results. The results will be mailed or emailed.

Questions? Call our office at 217-532-3941 and we will be able to assist you.

Come see us today from 9:30-12pm! Learn about caffeine, grab a few new recipes, a free food thermometer, find out about ...
09/12/2026

Come see us today from 9:30-12pm! Learn about caffeine, grab a few new recipes, a free food thermometer, find out about upcoming events or take a spin on our smoothie bike! We’d be thrilled to see you at Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics on this beautiful September morning!

CJMM 4-H Officer and Leader Training4-H Officer TrainingWhether you’re an experienced officer, newly elected or just cur...
09/12/2026

CJMM 4-H Officer and Leader Training

4-H Officer Training
Whether you’re an experienced officer, newly elected or just curious about stepping into a leadership role, this hands-on training will help you:
-Explore officer responsibilities
-Build leadership & teamwork skills
-Learn how to run effective club meetings
-Have fun while growing your confidence

4-H Club Leader Training
At the same time, 4-H Club Leaders will gather for a dedicated training on:
-Making meetings fun
-Tips for engaging families and volunteers
-Review 4-H programming data from 2025-2026

📆 Date: Saturday, Oct.17
⏱️Time: 10am – noon
📍 Location: Macoupin County Fairgrounds

Join us for an exciting morning of leadership development. Let us know you are coming and register using the links below.

Officer Training Registration: go.illinois.edu/CJMM4-HOfficerTraining
Leader Training Registration: go.illinois.edu/CJMM4-HLeaderTraining

Learn how to make the most of the food you bring home next Thursday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospi...
09/10/2026

Learn how to make the most of the food you bring home next Thursday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospital!

This class looks at simple ways to cut food waste, store foods safely, and understand what expiration dates really mean. We’ll talk about how to use ingredients from root to stalk and stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. Participants will roll up their sleeves in the kitchen and try recipes that put every part of the plant to work, including broccoli tots and air-fried buffalo broccoli stems. It’s a practical, hands-on session that helps you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy good food.

Register at 🔗go.illinois.edu/TMHFoodWaste or call Christian County Extension at 217-287-7246.

This class is offered at no cost and will take place at Taylorville Memorial Hospital in Classroom 1413. If you are unsure where to go, check with the front desk attendants at the main entrance.

Local 4-H members are putting their hands to larger service by collecting travel-size care items for area schools and fo...
09/10/2026

Local 4-H members are putting their hands to larger service by collecting travel-size care items for area schools and food pantries. These everyday essentials help students and families in our community feel confident, healthy, and cared for.

From September 1 through October 15, we invite 4-H members, families, businesses, and community members to donate travel-size personal care items that will be used to create care kits for individuals and families in need.

Please register and select the item(s) you plan to donate. This helps us balance donations, avoid shortages, and ensure each kit contains a variety of essential care products.

Registration: go.illinois.edu/4-HFallCommunityService

Collection Dates: September 1 - October 15

Drop-Off Locations:
• Extension Office
• Officer Training on October 17

Every item donated helps us create care kits for local schools and food pantries. Together, we can make a big impact through small acts of service.

Address

1 Industrial Park Drive
Hillsboro, IL
62049

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm

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