By Andi Anderson
University of Illinois Extension, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, continues to provide meaningful impact across Illinois. With over 100 years of service, Illinois Extension brings university research directly to the people in all 102 counties.
In 2024, more than 28,000 educational programs reached over 800,000 individuals. Each week, staff delivered an average of 547 sessions. Online learning also expanded, with 90 courses accessed by over 12,000 users.
The Extension’s presence online was strong, with over 22.4 million social media impressions and more than 9.7 million website views.
A major focus in 2024 was the new strategic plan, Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Impact., which outlined eight key priorities: community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence.
These areas aim to address the growing complexity of societal issues across rural and urban areas.
Illinois Extension supports youth through its 4-H program, with over 20,000 members in 1,840 clubs. These efforts resulted in more than 261,000 4-H experiences this year. The Extension also strengthens communities through nearly 3,000 partnerships.
Projects like 266 community gardens are helping improve local food systems and encourage hands-on learning.
Despite being second-last in regional state funding, Illinois Extension still delivers impressive returns. Every dollar invested produces a 1-to-10 economic return. Volunteers like Master Gardeners and 4-H leaders contribute labor valued at over $15.7 million.
The produce from Extension gardens was worth over $514,000. The organization also secured $4.7 million in external funding for its SNAP-Ed nutrition program.
Illinois Extension remains dedicated to advancing education and community support while continuing to seek funding from donors, grants, and government sources.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Illinois, Education, Rural Lifestyle