News Releases

pink flowers
Starting Vegetable Seeds Successfully
Join University of Illinois Extension Educator Grant McCarty as he presents “Starting Vegetable Seeds Successfully” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series. This first program in the series will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine Street,...
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DOING, THINKING, & CREATING: Lots of FUN awaits youth at 4-H SUPER SATURDAY
University of Illinois Extension is hosting its annual 4-H Super Saturday on Saturday, March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St. Freeport, IL . Super Saturday is a 3-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to explore the many...
trowel and pots
Extension offers Master Gardener Training
FREEPORT, IL – There is still time to register for Master Gardener Training. University of Illinois Extension will offer the training in Stephenson County, starting on February 27. Interested individuals can register now by calling (815) 235-4125 or visiting go.illinois.edu/jsw.Course...
farm fields
Land Leasing Basics Webinar Offered
Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may not think twice about the lease itself… until things go wrong. Prevent problems with a strong lease while building a path to a resilient future. Learn more at the Land Leasing Basics Webinar,...
food prep
Get your certified food protection manager certification
FREEPORT, Ill.--Americans love dining out. Whether we are celebrating a special occasion or simply eating on the go, eating out is very much a part of our lives. With an ever-growing number of individuals eating out, it is more important than ever to ensure consumers have exceptional, high-...
four photos of food safety in a commercial kitchen
Certified Food Protection Manager Training Offered
Do you currently have a position handling food or are you looking to find a job in the food industry?  If so, consider becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires retail food establishment managers to obtain an American National Standards...
raw vegetables and fruit displayed on wood floor background
Finding Balance: Choosing a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. With more than 60% of Americans living with at least one chronic condition and 40% managing two or more, it is more important than ever that you...
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Prepare Now: Yes, You Can! Home Food Preservation Webinars
With a mild winter upon us, many are already dreaming of outdoor adventures and planning their springtime planting. While it's still a few months before we can dig into the dirt and prepare our gardens, why not use this time to learn a new skill?Stay warm this winter, and join us for our...
hand with nippers trimming a tree branch
Introduction to Fruit Tree Pruning
Offered in TWO locations on the same day!Join University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty for a program on “Introduction to Fruit Tree Pruning”. This program is being held on Tuesday, February 25 at: 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess...
cows in a feed row
Certified Livestock Manager Training to be held in Freeport
University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the 2025 Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshop (CLMT) schedule. The series of seven in-person workshops will kick off on Feb. 4 in Effingham and conclude on Feb. 19 in Sycamore, with one scheduled locally...
joys of gardening on green background
Register now for the Annual Joys of Gardening
Mark your calendars for the 27th annual Joys of Gardening program offered by the University of Illinois Extension and the U of I Extension Master Gardeners.  Slated for Saturday, February 22, at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport,...
rolling corn fields
Corn and Soybean Management discussed at Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit
The last three seasons have brought various challenges for corn and soybean production, with unique weather situations and a wide range of planting and harvest windows. At the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit, Dr. Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Crop Sciences...
work out gear
Finding balance: Weight, emotions, and movement
FREEPORT, ILL.---The new year is fast approaching, and many of us are looking for opportunities to improve our health in the coming year. Whether you are looking to increase your minutes of physical activity, consume more fruits and vegetables, get better quality of sleep, or simply manage the...
rolling farm fields of corn
Biologicals to be Highlighted at Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit
The rapidly expanding market of biologicals, biostimulants, and biofertilizers will be a topic of discussion at the upcoming Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit. With numerous companies offering unique bio-based products tailored for farms, it's essential to understand their practical...
Driftless Region Beef Conference logo
Driftless Region Beef Conference Offered in Dubuque
University of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Extension services are working together to offer the thirteenth annual Driftless Region Beef Conference to be held on January 23 and 24, 2025 at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, IA. The aim of the conference is to provide educational...
corn field with young plants in early spring
Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit to be held January 29
Freeport, IL---Every growing season, corn and soybean producers have to make numerous management decisions that affect their bottom line. And as agriculture technology and research advance at a rapid pace, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest recommendations. To provide...