Events and Highlights
Cottage Food Sellers | Illinois requirements
Whether for a hobby or as a career, selling food grown or made in your home carries endless possibilities for enjoyment and profit. It also carries substantial responsibilities for the public's safety who purchase and consume your food products. Major changes took effect January 1, 2022 in the Cottage Food Operation Law's Home-to-Market Act. Illinois Extension is your guide to operating within the new regulations. Outshine the rest and grow your home-based business. Check it out here.
Food Preservation
Preserving food at home lets us enjoy homegrown, locally purchased, or seasonal foods throughout the year. Safe food preservation methods stop or slow the natural spoilage process to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria while preserving the nutritional value, taste, color, and texture of some of our favorite foods. These processes can help make the most of a bountiful harvest, provide individuals and families with access to seasonal food in off-seasons, support local producers, and prevent excess food from going to landfills. Learn more here.
Dial-Gauge Pressure Canner Testing Clinics | Free!
Free testing clinics take place in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties. No appointment is necessary from 9 am to 3 pm, just show up at your nearest Extension office on these days: DeKalb-July 21 & Aug. 4; Boone-July 25 & Aug. 8; and Ogle-July 28 & Aug. 11. Canners should be tested yearly. Call 815-544-3710 with any questions.
Title
It's 4-H Fair season!
We hope you can join us for one or all of the 4-H Fairs coming up. DeKalb County 4-H Livestock Fair runs Aug 1-3. Call 815-758-8194 for more information. The Ogle County 4-H Fair runs July 30-Aug 3, call 815-732-2191 for more information. And the Boone County 4-H Fair is from Aug 5-10, call 815-544-3710 for more information. You'll be amazed at what you see!
Boone County Farm Stroll | Oct. 5 | SAVE THE DATE
Save the Date: Oct. 5 from 10 am to 5 pm, take part in a self-guided tour of Boone County's diversified family farms. There is no beginning or end, just choose which farms to see and hit the road! Rain or shine, the event takes place. Call 815-544-3710 with questions. More information to come!
Ogle County Farm Stroll | Oct. 12 | SAVE THE DATE
Save the Date: Oct. 12 from 11 am to 4 pm, take part in a self-guided tour of Ogle County's diversified family farms. We've added more farms to the tour! There is no beginning or end, just choose which farms to see and hit the road! Takes place rain or shine. Call 815-732-2191 for more information or see more here.
Farmers: receive free mental healthcare
The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program connects agricultural producers and their families with local mental health professionals. This program would enable producers to seek mental health services at no cost to the producer and their family. From this program, we hope to broaden mental health access for agricultural producers and their families. Request a voucher here.
4-H Clubs
Agriculture
Community and Government
Explore Youth Programs
Food Access
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalists
Natural Resource Education Center
School and Community Programs
Youth Camps