Building a strong and connected community

Illinois Extension building a strong and connected community

As we move forward in 2024, 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

Master Naturalist Program

teacher teaching in an elementary school classroom

School and Community Programs

Announcements and Highlights

Fall Youth Programs

Learn, do and have fun this fall! Youth program topics include mixed media art, world culture, bullet journaling and terrarium workshops! Check back for new programs as they become available.

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Gardeners Corner

Get advice and inspiration to make your garden, landscape or houseplants shine in any season. Subscribe to Gardeners Corner, a quarterly newsletter from the Illinois Extension team of horticulture experts.

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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.

Dates & Locations

Events

Illinois 4-H Scholarship Webinar

October 7, 2024

4-H Alumni Awards Training

October 7, 2024

Children posing in a kitchen during a workshop

4-H Kids in the Kitchen

October 8, 2024 - March 11, 2025

County

Lee

A person smiling while celebrating being outdoors by throwing fall leaves into the air.

Discover the Benefits of Engaging with Nature

October 8, 2024

More Events

News Releases

September 26, 2024

Watershed volunteer program makes waves with new pool of environmental stewards
URBANA, Ill. — Water moves us. Every day, rain nourishes fields of growing crops, and rivers steadily flow through natural areas and communities until, eventually, drinking water trickles out of faucets into our homes, schools, and businesses. Everyone on the planet is affected by this vital...

four photos of food safety in a commercial kitchen

September 25, 2024

Get your certified food protection manager certification
Dining out is a cherished part of American life, whether for celebrations or casual meals. With the rising number of diners, ensuring top-notch quality and safety in food service is crucial.The FDA’s 2022 Food Code enhances food safety protocols for retail establishments. In Illinois, all...

September 25, 2024

Climate-smart grazing: U. of I. study shows how weather mitigates nitrogen runoff
URBANA, Ill. — Livestock production is an important component of U.S. agriculture, with global demand for meat and dairy expected to double in the coming decades. This increase will lead to intensified grazing on U.S. grasslands, potentially exacerbating water quality degradation from livestock...

September 20, 2024

Get green: Explore funding opportunities for community environmental projects
URBANA, Ill. — Communities across Illinois are working to address legacy pollution and invest in clean energy technologies. Municipalities can explore grant opportunities to fund the installation of green infrastructure, the transition to clean energy, and the cleanup of polluted areas with a...

September 19, 2024

Learning and networking help volunteers, staff grow at Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener 2024 Conference
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Gardens across Illinois take many forms. Apartment dwellers embrace balcony potted plants, flowers fill fields on rural roads and front yards in the suburbs, and neighbors come together to grow vegetables and find fellowship among their harvests....

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