Explore what's coming up this month
Click on these links to see what's coming up.
Budget Friendly Nutrition Tips will help you take charge of National Nutrition Month with practical tips to help you eat well without
overspending!
Visit us at the QCCA Flower and Garden Show March 13-15 Visit our educational display garden and information booth, explore showcase gardens by local companies, and browse a variety of gardening vendors. Take time to enjoy one of the Illinois Extension curated horticulture education sessions that will take place throughout the weekend.
Pruning Young Shade Trees Webinar, Tues. March 3, 1:30 PM Learn more about the issues young trees face and how early pruning can set them up for a lifetime of healthy canopy structure.
Legacy and Law: Navigating Farm Succession, Tues. March 10, 6:00-8:00 PM, Cerno's Bar & Grill, Kewanee Join us for a seminar on succession planning and the legal aspects of farm transition.
Seed Starting for Spring Success, March 26, 1 PM This beginner-friendly program covers the essentials of starting seeds at
home.
Canning with Confidence, Mon, March 30, 5-6:36:30 PM Black Hawk, Outreach Center, East Moline. Learn the essentials of home canning and gain the confidence to preserve your favorite foods safely!
Horticulture Helpline: Spring Support for Your Gardening Questions. As planting season begins, Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are ready with trusted advice and the latest research‑based information and resources.
Explore what's coming up this month
Click on these links to see what's coming up.
Feature Story: Supporting Your Gut Health: Small Steps, Big Impact. Your gut health plays a vital role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Explore the small steps you can take to support your gut in this article by Illinois Food and Nutrition Educator, Kristin Bogdonas:
"Leaf" it to the Library, Horticulture Programs in your community.
Join horticulture educator Emily Swihart for free gardening programs at local libraries and community centers this spring. Each date features two expert-led sessions at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on practical,research-based topics. Register through the hosting library for the sessions you’d like to attend.
- April 9 at East Moline Public Library, Raingardens and Landscape Design
- April 15 at Galva Senior Center, Landscape Design and Raingardens
- April 29 at Aledo Library, Garden Tasks and Growing Flowers
- April 30 at Coal Valley Library, Landscape Design and Garden Tasks
Spring Nutrition Programs at your Local Library
Explore timely health topics and get clear, actionable steps you can use to improve your health from Kristin Bogdonas, Food and Nutrition Educator. Register through the hosting library to attend.
- Nourish the Garden Within, April 9 • 6 PM, Coal Valley Library
- Nourish Your Heart, April 23 • 5:30 PM East Moline Public Library
- MIND Diet: Eating for Brain Health, two locations and dates:
Spring Series of Home Horticulture offers three weeks of expert-led sessions on hot topics in gardening and environmental education. This year's programs will take place on Monday nights, from 6-9 PM at Huaberg Estate, Rock Island.
Click on each date to learn more:
- April 13: Good Bugs in the Garden & Building Healthy Soil
- April 20: Pollinator Pathways & Landscape Design with Native Plants
- April 27: The Garden Within: Gut Health, & Growing, Drying, Using Herbs
April Webinars:
Growing a Butterfly Garden | Tues. April 7, 1:30
- Gardening on a Budget Webinar | Tues. April 14, 10 AM
- Everyday Memory Slips Webinar | Wed. April 8, Noon
- Veggie Visions: New Flavors | Tues. May 12, 1:30 PM
Spring 4-H Happenings:
- 4-H Easter Egg Hunt, 10 AM, Sat., April 4, Rock Island County Fairgrounds
- 4-H Community Tree Plantings, Sat.April 11:
- Mercer County 4‑H Tree Planting, 9 AM, AutoZone, Aledo
- Rock Island County 4-H Tree Planting, Moline Memorial Park
- Mercer County 4‑H Fishing Club — Starts April 18 in Aledo, Sign up through ZSuites
- Cookout to benefit Henry County 4‑H, Friday, April 24, 11 AM–1 PM, Fareway, Geneseo
- 4‑H Parking Lot Party Sat, April 25, 10 AM–Noon, Illinois Extension, Milan
- Rock Island County 4‑H Pork Chop Dinner, Thurs, April 30. 4–7 PM, Blackhawk Fire Station, Milan
Annual Report
Our 2025 Annual Report shares the programs, partnerships, and accomplishments made possible through the support of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. This downloadable report provides an overview of Extension and 4 H work across our four counties and the difference these efforts have made for local youth, families, and communities.