Building a strong and connected community

Illinois Extension building a strong and connected community

As we move forward in 2025, let our hands continue to sow the seeds of knowledge and our hearts beat in unison, fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness. Together, we'll continue to shape a future where individuals and families in Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside Counties thrive.

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Serving Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties
4-H and Youth
4-H Shows & County Fairs
Community Resiliency
Food and Family
Fund Development
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist Program
School and Community Programs

Announcements and Highlights

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Summer Youth Programs

Learn, do and have fun this summer! Youth program topics include forensic science, gardening and creating with color. Check back for new classes as the summer progresses.

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Master Naturalist Training

Learn more about, and positively impact our local environment, by training to be an Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. You'll be exposed to several fascinating facets of Illinois nature, including botany, ornithology, prairies, forests and water systems.

Wits Fitness Brain Health

Enjoy fun, interactive activities crafted to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory for adults of all ages. Classes are held at locations throughout Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties.
Events
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News Releases
Yellow and green foliage shade plants at a garden center
Grow successful made in the shade gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Did you know that despite Illinois' reputation as a prairie state, its landscape was once nearly a third forest? This fact opens up a wonderful world of native plants perfectly suited for shade gardens. Choosing these local beauties not only bolsters regional biodiversity but...
A crop dusting plane flies above a farm field for aerial chemical application
Crop dusting: Exploring aerial application safety by plane or drone
URBANA, Ill. — One of the trademarks of summer is the sight of planes and helicopters making gravity-defying turns as they make passes up and down cornfields. While this evokes awe and amazement, it also elicits curiosity as to what they are doing and why. Additionally, when serious or fatal...
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Dig Deeper

Topics we address
Agricultural Technology
Beef Cattle
Christmas Trees
Climate
Community Gardens
Community Planning
Composting
Container Gardens
Cottage Food
Crops
Diabetes
Disasters
Economic Development
Energy
Environmental Quality
Family
Farm Management
Firewood
Flowers
Food
Food Preservation
Food Safety
Forestry
Fruit Trees for Home Gardens
Health
Hemp
Herbs
Home Vegetable Gardening
Houseplants
Illinois Grasses
Insects
Invasives
Lawns
Livestock
Local Food Systems and Small Farms
Local Government Education
Mental Health
Mushrooms
Natural Resources
Nutrient Loss Reduction
Personal Finances
Plant Problems
Plants
Pumpkins
Rainfall Management
Regenerative Agriculture
Roses
Septic Systems
Small Fruits for Home Gardens
Soil
Specialty Crops
Thriving Youth
Ticks
Turkey
Vaccines
Weather
Wildlife
Youth Gardening

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings

State Extension
Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties

Whiteside County
12923 Lawrence Road
Sterling, IL 61081
Phone: 815-632-3611

Carroll County
642 S East St
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
Phone: 815-244-9444 

Lee County
280 W Wasson Rd
Amboy, IL 61310
Phone: 815-857-3525