News Releases

4-H’ers to compete in Public Speaking Contest in Sterling
  STERLING, Ill-Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside County 4-H’ers will gather together on Saturday, April 4 to give public speeches at Bethel Reformed Church in Sterling. 4-H’ers have several different types of speeches to choose from, including, Formal Speech, Illustrated Speech,...
Kids and K-9’s 4-H Club offered at Granny Rose
  DIXON, Ill-University of Illinois Extension, 4-H program and Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center invite you to join our Kids and K-9’s 4-H Club. The Kids and K-9’s club will introduce youth to all facets of training including obedience, rally, agility and conformation. The club is...
Reserve Your Spot at the 2020 Ready Set Grow Gardening Workshop
  DIXON, Ill- University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that there are still registration spots available for the 2020 Ready…Set…Grow… Gardening Workshop! Ready…Set…Grow… will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 8:00 am – 2:15 pm at Sauk Valley Community College...
Kids and K-9’s 4-H Dog Club offered at Granny Rose
  DIXON, Ill-University of Illinois Extension, 4-H program and Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center invite you to join our Kids and K-9’s 4-H Club. The Kids and K-9’s club will introduce youth to all facets of training including obedience, rally, agility and conformation. The club is...
Cooking and Booking Club available to local youth in Dixon
DIXON, Ill.-Where can you try new foods, make lasagna, and toss water balloons? At Cooking and Booking of course! 4-H, KSB, Dixon YMCA, and Oliver’s Corner Market invite youth to this year’s Cooking and Booking Club. Youth ages 8 through 12, as of Sept 1, 2019, will learn all about good...
Expand your creativity with Snappy Crafters 4-H Art Club in Lee County
  AMBOY, Ill.-Do you like to challenge your creativity? During this 4-H Club, youth will have the chance to explore and expand their creativity. Each week, youth will be given a different art challenge to complete while using items from our robust inventory of art materials....
Lee County 4-H Project Pool: A Fun Morning for Everyone
  AMBOY, Ill.-University of Illinois Extension, Lee County is holding 4-H Project Pool for kids ages 5-18 on Saturday, March 14 at the Lee County Fair Grounds. The morning will start at 9am and end at 12pm.  It is a short educational fun filled opportunity for kids in 4-H and...
Rabbit Workshop for 4-H Youth
  AMBOY,Ill.-4-H youth with rabbits are encouraged to attend our 4-H Rabbit Workshop on April 18 and June 6. Those interested are able to sign up for one or both workshop days and are asked to bring their animal to the workshop for hands-on learning. Both workshop days will take...
Carroll County FSA Holds ARC/PLC Informational Meetings
Carroll County Farm Service Agency will be holding additional informational ARC/PLC meetings in Mt. Carroll, 807A South Clay Street, starting Feb 5-Feb 28.   Seating is limited to 10-15 participants per session so please call 815-244-8732, ext. 2 to confirm attendance. ...
Extension Offers Child Care University for Child Care Professionals
Early childhood educators, childcare providers, and other interested individuals are invited to participate in the annual Child Care University Early Childhood Conference.  Presented by University of Illinois Extension in partnership with Community Coordinated Child Care and Sauk Valley...
Keep Your Brain Healthy With Monthly Brain Health Exercise Class
It’s never too late to keep your brain fit and healthy! Current research indicates that challenging the brain is one of several things you can do to contribute to your own brain health as you age.  Challenging activities is one way to train your brain and keep your wits fit! The...
Wee Naturalists Monthly Program at Odell Library in Morrison Feb 22
Youth ages 4-7 will learn and explore where animals go in the winter!  Join the Wee Naturalist at the Odell Public Library in Morrison on February 22, from 10:30 – 11:30 and learn all about hibernation.  Space is limited so register early by calling the library at 815/772-7323. ...
Boys Science Siesta and Girls Science Siesta Scheduled for March and April!
“Science Siesta is once again being offered by the University of Illinois Extension for both boys and girls,” said Johnna Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator.  “This year we will be offering a Science Siesta event just for boys on Friday, March 13 to...
Local Government Education Webinars: Legislative Updates
Illinois Extension's Community and Economic Development team will host a webinar that highlights new or upcoming legislative changes with a focus on those elements which will directly impact local governments across Illinois. ...
Conferences Set for Fruit and Vegetable Growers Feb. 4 & 5
Growers from across the region will gather for the 2020 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School on Tuesday, February 4 in Hardin and the 2020 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School on Wednesday, February 5 in Mt. Vernon. These programs, sponsored by University of Illinois...
Farm Life is Uncontrollable, Know the Warning Signs of Stress
DECATUR, Ill. – On a farm, most pressures are constant and uncontrollable. Machinery breaks, weather delays work and commodity prices fluctuate. The work is isolating and stressful, which puts farmers at risk for severe and ongoing anxiety. Suicide rates are higher for farmers than any other...
Four Seasons Gardening Winter Webinar Series Underway
The Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series is one of the most popular horticulture programs offered by the Illinois Extension Horticulture Team. Each season, the team hosts three live webinars participants can take from their own computers delivered via Zoom. The programs are free, but...
Free Extension Webinars for Small Farmers
DECATUR, Ill. — During winters, farmers may not be out in their fields, but that doesn’t mean they are taking a break. Starting in January, University of Illinois Extension is providing a weekly educational webinar series for the small farm community. This online series will provide small farm...
Backyard Cover Crops (Elizabeth)
Join Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon for a program on Backyard Cover Crops. The program is being held at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $5 charge to...