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.

Connect with Staff Attend a Local Event Follow us on Social Media

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 Programs

Announcements and Highlights

smiling older woman with sparkles behind her head

Boost Your Brain Health

Join Extension Educator Kara Schweitzer for monthly Wits Fitness get-togethers to exercise your brain. Have fun and socialize while stimulating cognitive function and memory. Sessions are designed for adults of all ages.

Find a Session

Free Seeds

Gardeners…come in to the Sterling Illinois Extension office to choose some seeds for the upcoming growing season! Offered free thanks to generous donations from Blain's Farm & Fleet and Walmart Supercenter, Sterling. First come, first served for a variety of flower and vegetable seeds.

Find Us

illustration of fingerprint and molecules

Summer Youth Programs

Learn, do and have fun this summer! Youth program topics include forensic science, nature exploration, sewing, gardening and dance. Check back for new classes as the summer progresses.

Find a Session

Events

YQCA In-person Training

April 21, 2024

County

Whiteside

People in a kitchen cooking around a table

Cooking with Veggies Monthly Lessons | Thomson Library

April 22, 2024

County

Carroll

paint color samples and boxes of pencils

4-H Pixel Pioneers: Unleashing Creativity in the Digital Canvas

April 23, 2024 - May 28, 2024

Blue sky background with flowering branches of Callery pear tree.

Managing Invasives: Eight Replacements for the Callery Pear

April 23, 2024

More Events

News Releases

April 16, 2024

Get tools to manage non-native plants and insects at Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
URBANA, Ill. — Spotted lanternflies were found in Illinois for the first time in 2023. Quagga and zebra mussels clog water intake pipes on Lake Michigan, and every spring, invasive Bradford Callery pear trees and amur bush honeysuckle bloom across Illinois communities instead of native...

April 16, 2024

Get your pressure canner tested for free by Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a great time to take inventory of your canning equipment to prepare for the summer canning season. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, make it a habit to get it tested by Illinois Extension every year. Various...

A person having an on online appointment

April 15, 2024

Unlock better hearing and discover teleaudiology solutions with Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Hearing is not merely a sense but serves as a gateway to communication and connection with the world. However, many individuals face challenges with hearing loss, significantly impacting their daily lives. Recognizing this, individuals must educate themselves and understand the...

April 15, 2024

Six replacement trees for invasive Callery pear
URBANA, Ill. — Now considered an invasive species, Callery pear is a widely used ornamental flowering tree with negative effects on native ecosystems. The tree is still bought, sold, and planted because it has not yet made the...

group of people standing around preparing a recipe at a table

April 12, 2024

Savor the Season: Local Libraries Offer Exciting Cooking Classes
Thomson, Mt. Carroll, and Savanna Libraries are thrilled to announce the dates for April’s cooking classes led by Master Gardener Nancy Gmitro. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the joys of Cooking with Vegetables, with a special focus on the versatile Asparagus....

More News Releases