purple coneflowers with a monarch butterfly

Building a strong and connected community

Illinois Extension building a strong and connected community

As we move forward in 2026, 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

 The first of 6 Nature Explorers meetings is March 24 at Franklin Creek State Natural Area.

Summer Youth Programs

There is so much to learn and do with 4-H this summer! Check back for new classes and events as the season progresses.

Cow in pasture

Sauk Valley Grown

Save the date for this year's Sauk Valley Grown Farm Tours and Dinner on Thursday, September 10. More information to come!

Soil Testing Kits

Soil Testing Kits are now available, contact our offices for more information.

Events
More Events

News Releases

A field of crops, the Morrow Plot, on the U of I campus
Defining the modern ‘land-grant mission’ at ACES
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign often cites its land-grant legacy, but the land-grant university system is not a well-...
cover crops growing in a field with crop residue
Extension to Host Cover Crop Management Program
LENA, Ill.--Local corn and soybean producers are invited to attend "Taking the Next Steps in Cover Crop Management", an educational program focused on advancing cover crop management and decision‑making.Building on introductory cover crop programming offered last year, this event is...
Osteoporosis spelled out in beads on a pink background
Protect Your Bones: Learn the Basics of Osteoporosis Prevention
Freeport, Ill.-- Over 54 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis, placing them at increased risk for bone fractures. Post-menopausal women face a higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, but men are also affected. In fact, men over the age of 50 are...
More News Releases

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
Illinois Master Naturalist Program
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
Serving Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties
Whiteside County Extension Office
12923 Lawrence Road
Sterling, IL 61081
Phone: 815-632-3611
Carroll County Extension Office
642 S East Street
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
Phone: 815-244-9444
Lee County Extension Office
280 W Wasson Rd
Amboy, IL 61310
Phone: 815-857-3525