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

group of people standing in front of a 4-H backdrop
4-H volunteers honored for exceptional service
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently...
Mark Ridlen in a suit in a headshot pose.
Illinois 4-H Foundation welcomes Mark Ridlen to Board of Directors
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Ridlen, an Illinois 4-H alumnus and retired banking and financial regulatory executive, to its Board of Directors.The Illinois 4-H Foundation Board is committed to advancing...
black cows grazing in a field
Learn the latest research during Orr Beef Research Center Field Day
BAYLIS, Ill. — Experts from the University of Illinois will lead discussions addressing research, current topics, and situations producers are facing on-farm during the annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day. This year’s event will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the new Ag...
9 youth standing behind a banner for "Illinois 4-H Superior Young Producer Contest"
2026 4-H Superior Young Livestock Producer Contest winners announced
The 2026 Illinois 4-H Superior Young Livestock Producer Contest was held on Aug. 12 in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair. A record number of 35 4-H members from across Illinois competed in this year’s contest. Members tackle a three-phase competition including livestock...
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