An important part of the NRES Extension mission is to provide practical applications for producers, consumers, agribusinesses, and others who need accurate research-based unbiased information to support their endeavors. With that goal, we deliver the information and education you need where you live and work through the Internet, conferences, meetings, publications, and other media. In Extension centers across the state and in various county offices, educators are the bridge between Illinois citizens and our specialists on campus.

We proudly offer a diversity of programs and resources that are responsive to issues related to plant sciences and the environment that are important in Illinois and its communities. From this site, you will be able to access information that ranges from numerous consumer-based gardening topics to information about traditional and organic production, turf management, pest control, forestry and other links for the commercial grower. Some of our most popular programs include:

• The Master Gardener Program, which trains 600 volunteers each year across the state. In exchange for the training, the volunteers dedicate time back to their extension unit. On the average, master gardeners volunteer approximately $2,807,000 worth of time back to the citizens of Illinois.
  
  
• The Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program serves as a network that increases the availability of information on sustainable agriculture and promotes coordination of groups and individuals working in this area.
  
  
• A variety of programs for commercial audiences including Grounds Maintenance Schools, Turf conferences and field days, Vegetable and Strawberry Schools, and organic gardening and marketing conferences.
  
  
• The Pesticide Safety and Education Program (PSEP), along with the Illinois Department of Agriculture provides training in the safe and proper use of pesticides to over 8000 trainees each year.

We constantly seek new ways to help people in their communities and hope this web site is a valuable resource for you. We encourage you to learn more about our programs and look forward to working with you.