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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.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-08/release_1200x800.jpg?itok=BRLvUOju)
Get outside, get learning at fall 2024 Illinois Master Naturalist conference
URBANA, Ill. — The very nature of nature is that it is always changing. Seasons come and go, birds flit in and out of view, and water ebbs and flows constantly moving downstream. Master Naturalist volunteers are invited to stay up to date on nature’s news by attending the 2024 University of…
![Two split images with a person researching in a greenhouse on left and orange pumpkin on right.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/bacterial%20spot%20pumpkin%20ACES%20Web%20Spotlight%201200x800.png?itok=Yj1OiPT_)
Pumpkin disease not evolving, could make a difference for management
The pathogen that causes bacterial spot is very good at what it does. Forming small lesions on the rinds of pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits, it mars the fruits’ appearance and ushers in secondary pathogens that lead to rot and severe yield loss. The bacterium, Xanthomonas…
![A person flying a drone above a herd of beef cattle standing in a pasture for grazing management.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight_image/public/2024-07/Livestock%20Technology%20IFARM%20SIssa%20Web%20Spotlight%201200x800.jpg?itok=SsaR_7K8)
Explore cutting-edge agricultural technology with I-FARM Learning Series
URBANA, Ill. — Identifying on-farm needs to increase efficiency, safety, practicality, and overall profitability is where ideas for adapting technology begin. From there, advancing technology for productivity and sustainability seems to be more within reach in a changing agricultural landscape.…
![plant sprout growing in a greenhouse](https://cdn.statically.io/img/extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/styles/450_x_253/public/2024-04/plant.jpg?itok=0mbTZf4w)