Illinois 4-H teens build career-ready skills at Ignite by 4-H Summit
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Teen leaders from across Illinois recently joined hundreds of their peers from around the country March 25-29 for the 2026 Ignite by 4-H Summit, a national youth leadership experience focused on career exploration, skill-building and connection.Hosted by National 4-H...
Getting the Scoop on Dietary Guidelines For Americans
Decades of research have clearly demonstrated the connection between diet and health. Today, diet-related chronic diseases, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, and certain cancers, remain leading causes of death, disability, and healthcare costs in the United States....
Trees in Your Landscape: Functions and Benefits
Join Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator for the program “Trees in Your Landscape: Functions and Benefits” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series. This program is being held on May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County...
Against the Grain: Dr. Salah Issa on Innovating Ag Safety
URBANA, Ill. — Dr. Salah Issa’s career in agricultural safety began in an unexpected way. Starting out at a graduate program in Ecological Sciences and Engineering at Purdue University as a self-described “city kid”, he was unaware that agricultural engineering was even a career option. It wasn’...
Spread the Sweetness: From Fruit to Finish
FREEPORT, Ill.-- Strawberry season is right around the corner, and there’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked strawberries. These naturally sweet berries are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making them as nutritious as they are delicious. If you find...
New webinar series supports adults in strengthening long-term health
URBANA, Ill. — Millions of adults in the United States live with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, often facing daily challenges that affect their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Managing these conditions requires reliable information, practical...
Emergency Preparedness Essentials
The Midwest's springtime severe weather season is underway, and many communities have already been affected. The forecast for March will feature significant weather volatility across the US, with increased severe thunderstorm risk, including hail and tornadoes, from the Plains to the Ohio Valley...
Low Maintenance Landscaping
Join University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardener, Madelynn Wilharm, for this program on “Low Maintenance Landscaping” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series. The program will be held on Thursday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N...
Celebrate spring’s arrival with new Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening webinars
URBANA, Ill. — Springtime brings visions of beautiful butterfly gardens and dreams of delicious vegetable varieties growing in a garden or porch pots outside the window.Garden planning and the countdown to a new growing season continue with two new webinars...
Illinois 4-H expands workforce pathways with foodservice credential program for teens
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H is preparing teens to be beyond ready for careers through a new initiative that connects youth with industry-recognized foodservice credentials and hands-on workforce experience.The Beyond Ready Foodservice Industry Credential Program will help...
Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference Recap
Our 30th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference was held on Monday, February 16, in Rockford. Nearly 120 growers and community college students attended this event, which focuses on timely updates for fruit and vegetable growers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We...
Illinois 4-H youth showcase skill and precision at state meat judging contest
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H members demonstrated their knowledge of meat science and evaluation at the 2026 Illinois 4-H State Meat Judging Contest held March 6 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Meat Science Laboratory in Urbana. A total of 56 4-H members...
Yes, You Can: Freezing Your Summer Harvest
Spring is just around the corner, and before long, summer gardens will be overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy those garden-fresh flavors long after the growing season ends. Home food preservation remains a popular way to reduce food...
Focus on Your Future: Protecting Your Vision for Life
Freeport, Ill.--More than 7 million Americans are estimated to live with vision impairment, with higher rates often seen in rural communities. Interestingly, many people fear losing their vision more than losing their memory, hearing, or speech, yet they frequently delay routine...
