University of Illinois Extension

What University of Illinois Extension does

University of Illinois Extension is the public outreach arm of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, operating as the state's legislatively mandated land-grant cooperative extension service across all 102 Illinois counties. The organization translates university research into practical educational programming for Illinois residents across five core areas: food and agriculture systems, youth development, health and wellness, community and economic development, and environmental resilience. Core programs include Illinois 4-H (youth development for ages 5-18), Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (SNAP-Ed and EFNEP nutrition education for limited-income families), the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) for applicator licensing, Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists volunteer networks, the Illinois Plant Clinic diagnostic service, and the Illinois Variety Testing Program for crop performance data.

The technology stack is anchored on a Moodle-based learning management system branded as Learn @ Illinois Extension, supplemented by the CropFlix on-demand streaming platform for agronomic video content, multiple podcasts (Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Closing Market Report, Commodity Week), the bimonthly Illinois Pesticide Review Newsletter, and the Foodfinder.us-powered Find Food IL map for food resource navigation. The organization operates Research and Education Centers at multiple locations including Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Northwestern Illinois Agricultural R&D Center, Orr Agricultural R&D Center, and the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center. Distribution is hybrid: physical offices in all 102 counties provide face-to-face programming, complemented by digital self-serve channels, social media, and community events.

The business model is non-commercial: funding flows from USDA grants (SNAP-Ed, EFNEP), state appropriations through the University of Illinois, and matching funds from county governments. Most programming is delivered free of charge as a public service; select publications (such as pesticide safety education manuals at $15 plus shipping) and pesticide applicator training registration fees generate nominal revenue. Pricing is therefore functionally freemium with negligible commercial monetization. Distribution is community-led, relying on trained volunteer networks (4-H leaders, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists) and local extension councils for program governance at the county level.

Name

University of Illinois Extension

Legal name

University of Illinois Extension

Website

https://extension.illinois.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

University of Illinois Extension is the public land-grant outreach arm of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delivering research-based educational programs across all 102 Illinois counties in agriculture, youth development (4-H), nutrition education, pesticide safety, horticulture, and community development, funded by USDA grants, state appropriations, and county matching funds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cooperative Extension Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA)

Keywords

• Cooperative extension services
• Agricultural extension education
• Youth development programs
• Community nutrition education
• Master gardener volunteer program

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: University of Illinois Extension is funded through USDA grants (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program), state appropriations through the University of Illinois, and county matching funds. As a land-grant university extension service, the organization operates as a public service entity without commercial revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

University of Illinois Extension is the non-formal, publicly funded education arm of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign land-grant university. It delivers research-based programming in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition and wellness, youth development (4-H), and community and economic development to Illinois residents through county offices, online courses, and trained volunteer networks. Most programming is provided free of charge to Illinois residents, with select workshops and certifications carrying nominal fees.

Product overview

University of Illinois Extension is a land-grant outreach institution providing research-based educational programs through multiple platforms and program areas. The core offerings include the Illinois Extension website as the primary portal, the Illinois 4-H youth development program, the Eat.Move.Save. nutrition education initiative, and Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (SNAP-Ed and EFNEP). Specialized programs include the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists volunteer programs, and the Illinois Plant Clinic diagnostic service. Digital education is delivered through Learn @ Illinois Extension (Moodle-based LMS), the CropFlix streaming platform, and multiple podcasts including the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Closing Market Report, and Commodity Week. The organization operates Research and Education Centers statewide and provides resources through programs like Illinois Specialty Crops, Midwest Hemp Resources, and the Illinois Variety Testing Program. Together these products form an integrated educational ecosystem serving Illinois residents across agriculture, youth development, health, and community development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 4-H Youth Development Program A statewide positive youth development program for Illinois youth ages 5–18, delivered through clubs, in-school enrichment, camps, and special-interest programs covering STEM, agriculture, leadership, and civic engagement. Program is free for participants, supported by federal, state, and county funding.
• Master Gardener Program A volunteer training and certification program in which Illinois residents receive university-based horticulture education and in return provide community gardening education and outreach hours in their counties. Includes a tuition fee for the training course.
• SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Program Nutrition education and obesity-prevention programming for SNAP-eligible Illinois residents, delivered directly and through schools, pantries, and community partners. Funded through the federal SNAP-Ed program and provided free of charge to participants.
• Agricultural Research and Education Programs Research-based education, field days, and publications supporting Illinois row-crop farmers, livestock producers, and commercial horticulture operations. Topics include pest management, soil health, crop production, and farm business management; delivered through county offices and field events.
• Community and Economic Development Programs Educational programming and technical assistance for Illinois local governments, nonprofits, and community leaders on topics such as leadership development, community planning, and local economic development strategy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cover crops used on 6% of Illinois cropland
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Huron Consulting GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged in 2023-2024 for comprehensive strategic planning process to refine core priorities, goals, and paths to success through internal and external stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions statewide.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) grants. These federal nutrition education programs are core to INEP operations.
• University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago Partnership for Health PromotioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Eat. Move. Save. program and Illinois Nutrition Education Programs, combining extension expertise with UIC health promotion resources.
• Illinois Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint administration of Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing Clinics with University of Illinois Extension PSEP. IDA is responsible for pesticide testing, licensing, and regulatory oversight.
• Illinois Department of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in pesticide safety education, particularly for public health-related pesticide applications and licensing provisions.
• Illinois County Governments (Extension Councils)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty extension councils guide local programming priorities and provide matching funds, creating a collaborative governance model between the university and local governments.
• Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association (IAAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in events for aerial applicator spray pattern testing and calibration.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kansas State University Research and Extension: Kansas's land-grant extension service providing agricultural, 4-H, and community programming statewide. Comparable structure as a fellow land-grant extension with parallel program mix and rural emphasis.
• Michigan State University Extension: MSU Extension serves all Michigan counties with programs in agriculture, 4-H youth development, nutrition, and community vitality. Comparable as another Big Ten land-grant institution with parallel programming.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Cornell's statewide extension network serving New York through county associations, offering 4-H, agriculture, nutrition, and community programming. Comparable as a land-grant extension with localized governance model.
• University of Minnesota Extension: Minnesota's land-grant extension service delivering research-based education in agriculture, youth development, family, and community across the state. Directly comparable mission and funding structure.
• The Ohio State University Extension: Ohio's land-grant extension service delivering programs across all 88 Ohio counties through CFAES. Comparable structure, county-based delivery, and program portfolio including 4-H, agriculture, and SNAP-Ed.
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Outreach arm of Iowa State delivering research-based education across all Iowa counties in agriculture, youth (4-H), family, and community development. Highly comparable as a Midwestern land-grant extension service.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Texas's land-grant extension service, one of the largest in the US, delivering 4-H, agriculture, and community health programming statewide. Comparable mission and program structure, larger geographic scope.
• Penn State Extension: Outreach arm of Penn State serving Pennsylvania with agricultural research, 4-H youth development, and community programming. Comparable as a large land-grant extension with strong research-to-practitioner pipeline.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension: Wisconsin's land-grant extension service providing agricultural, youth (4-H), health, and community development programming statewide. Directly comparable mission, funding structure, and program mix.
• Purdue Extension: Purdue University's outreach arm serving all Indiana counties with 4-H, agriculture, and health programming. Structurally and functionally the closest peer to Illinois Extension as a fellow Big Ten land-grant extension service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ilextension
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUVXXZDcJox96nSvB0FotTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/UIExtension
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilextension
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilextension

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Illinois Extension