University of Illinois Extension-Vermilion County Unit

10/23/2026

Have you heard the latest livestock enrollment update?
Starting September 1, 2026, all live animal project enrollments will be due January 15. Members must be enrolled in the correct species by January 15 to be eligible to show that animal in the 2027 4-H fair. If the deadline is missed, members may exhibit a poster for the species, but not a live animal.

For any questions, please reach out to your club leaders or contact your county's 4-H coordinator.

10/23/2026

Tis the season for canning! Is your pressure canner ready?
Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge testing. Simply drop off your pressure canner lid at one of our local Extension offices. We will contact you with the results and arrange a pickup time.

Learn more about safe pressure canning: https://extension.illinois.edu/food.../pressure-canners

Questions? Call 217-333-7672.

Want to enjoy your garden harvest long after the growing season ends?

Learn science-based methods for canning, preserving, and freezing fruits and vegetables to reduce food waste and keep fresh produce on hand year-round.

🎥 Explore this collection of videos featuring Illinois Extension experts and discover safe, effective food preservation techniques perfect for the fall harvest season.
https://extension.illinois.edu/food-preservation/videos

10/16/2026

🍄Join Extension Educator Karla Griesbaum to explore the fascinating world of fungi and learn more about the mushrooms you’re likely to encounter in East Central Illinois.🍄‍🟫

Register today at go.illinois.edu/VCMGmushrooms
Vermilion County Master Gardeners Present: Mushrooms, with Karla Griesbaum

10/09/2026

Join Extension Educator Karla Griesbaum to explore the fascinating world of fungi and learn more about the mushrooms you’re likely to encounter in East Central Illinois.

We’ll cover key characteristics used to identify mushrooms, explore how different fungi live and function, and uncover the important jobs they do in our ecosystems.

Visit go.illinois.edu/VCMGmushrooms to register.
Vermilion County Master Gardeners Present: Mushrooms, with Karla Griesbaum

10/02/2026

🍄 There’s more to mushrooms than meets the eye! Join Extension Educator Karla Griesbaum for a closer look at the fascinating world of fungi. Discover the important roles fungi play in our ecosystems and why they’re essential to the world around us.

We’ll also take a closer look at mushrooms commonly found in East Central Illinois and learn what characteristics to look for when identifying them.

Register today at go.illinois.edu/VCMGmushrooms
County Master Gardeners Present: Mushrooms, with Karla Griesbaum

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

🎉***Door Prize Alert!!!***🎉
If you register and attend this program tonight, you will be eligible for a FREE Cocorahs rain gauge (value $50 plus S&H)! One lucky winner will be able to start tracking their rain totals this week!

💦⚡️STILL TIME TO REGISTER🌪️❄️
From broadcast meteorology to applied climatology, Steve Hilberg has spent his career studying and communicating about weather and climate. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from the Illinois Coordinator for CoCoRaHS as he introduces this unique volunteer network and explains how ordinary people can contribute valuable precipitation data for research, education, and natural resource applications.

Register today at go.illinois.edu/VCMGCoCoRaHS

09/14/2026

Have you noticed how often rain and snow amounts can change drastically between short distances? Official weather stations are often too far apart to catch these local differences.
CocoRahs volunteers supply important local weather data through a network of volunteers.

This program will be held Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 at the Danville Public Library

An accurate CocoRahs Rain Gauge valued at $50+ has been donated and will go home with a lucky attendee!

More Information and Registration

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.