Root awakening: spring tree tips
URBANA, Ill. — As winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, it's time to give trees the care they need to thrive. Trees, like all living things, require attention and maintenance, especially as they transition from dormancy to the growing season. Help trees recover from winter damage,...
Illinois Extension to train new wave of community compost leaders
OREGON, Ill. - Composting plays a vital role in creating sustainable communities, from reducing waste to enriching soil. This spring, learn to be a composting leader with University of Illinois Extension's Compost Ambassador program.The five-week training program, which began in Cook,...
Spring Centerpieces
Join University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinator Nikki Keltner as she presents “Spring Centerpieces” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series on Thursday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. This program is being held at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL....
Ogle County 4-H families donate to Liberty Village
OREGON, Ill. - Ogle County 4-H families donated craft items to Liberty Village of Rochelle. The Activities Department will be able to use the items in group activities and distribute items to the residents.PHOTO: Liberty Village of Rochelle was thankful for the donations. Pictured L...
Ogle County youth rank high at Regional Horse Competition
DIXON, Ill. - Five Ogle County 4-H local youth competed in the Northwest Regional Competition for Illinois 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology earlier this month and were rewarded for their efforts. This event was held at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.The 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology...
Vermicomposting
Join University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty for a program on “Vermicomposting” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series on Tuesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There is a $5...
Extension bridges gap between environmental research and real-world solutions
Strong natural systems and the resources they provide, from water filtration to renewable energy sources, are a vital part of healthy, robust communities. One of the core University of Illinois Extension program areas – natural resources, environment, and energy – connects communities across the...
March is Extension Living Well Month
URBANA, Ill. — This March, Illinois residents are invited to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by University of Illinois Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences team. March 2025 is Extension Living Well Month as...
Explore 2025 All-America Selection plant, flower award winners
URBANA, Ill. — Another Illinois winter comes closer to a close, depending on which region of the state you live in. Cold and snowy days may have drug on, but the promise of spring and garden catalogs ease the time before March planting. Whatever the plan is for 2025 gardens, leave room for those...
Study: ‘Sustainable intensification’ on the farm reduces soil nitrate losses, maintains crop yields
URBANA, Ill. — A nine-year study comparing a typical two-year corn and soybean rotation with a more intensive three-year rotation involving corn, cereal rye, soybean and winter wheat found that the three-year system can dramatically reduce nitrogen — an important crop nutrient — in farm runoff...
Ogle County 4-H Public Presentations winners announced
OREGON, Ill. - This year’s 4-H Public Presentations Contest was held Saturday, March 8, at the Ogle County Farm Bureau. Thank you, Anderson Feeds, for sponsoring the Public Presentation Award.Top of Class Formal Speech –Beginner (aged 8-13) ......................................... ...
4-H Penny Carnival winners announced
OREGON, Ill. - The Ogle County 4-H Federation hosted its annual 4-H Penny Carnival at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon on March 8. Penny Carnival is much like a fun fair, but features games dreamed up and designed by the 4-H clubs in the county. All twelve of the county's clubs...
ACES experts provide testimony in support of USDA funding, Farm Bill
URBANA, Ill. — Yesterday, faculty from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign spoke as invited witnesses to an Illinois House Agriculture and...
Youth photography contest captures skills for the future
Champaign, Ill. – The Moments That Matter Photography Contest has announced its statewide winners, highlighting 4-H youth who used photography to tell powerful stories and showcase real-world...
Rainwater Management in Your Home Landscape
Join Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator, for “Rainwater Management in Your Home Landscape” on Tuesday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $5 fee to...
Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home
URBANA — As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Benefits of Starting SeedsSeeds started...
Illinois Extension to train new wave of community compost leaders
URBANA, Ill. — From reducing waste to enriching soil, composting plays a vital role in creating sustainable communities. This spring, learn to be a composting leader with University of Illinois Extension's Compost Ambassador program.The five-week training program, which began in Cook,...
Serve It Safely: Food Handlers Course
Selling and serving food remains a popular fundraising activity for many community groups. If you belong to a service club, church group, youth group, special interest club, or any non-profit organization, chances are good that you sell food. Any time your group sells food, it is essential to...
Extension's Wits Workout program promotes brain health in older adults
MOUNT MORRIS, Ill. - Our brains control essential executive functions, such as speaking, thinking, learning, making sound decisions, and remembering. In addition to physical exercise, getting at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep and eating a heart-healthy diet improves brain fitness...
