Butterfly with butterfly weed flowers

Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Impact.

Upcoming Programs and Events

pressure canner tester

Food Preservation Classes and Pressure Canner Testing Clinics

Preserving food at home lets us enjoy homegrown, locally sourced, or seasonal foods year-round. Check out our list of local, in-person food preservation classes and pressure canner testing clinics. Join us so you can be prepared for safe food preservation. 

Flowers with butterfly and bee pollinators

Pollinators: If You Plant it, They Will Come

Master Gardener Madelynn will take you on a tour of the Galena Community Garden and talk about pollinator friendly plants, what plants in the garden need pollinators to survive, and hopefully spot a few pollinators themselves along the way! This program is being held at the Galena Community Garden, 715 S. Dodge Street, Galena, IL. 

Youth Bicycle Safety Day

Youth Bicycle Safety Day

Join us for a Youth Bicycle Safety Day on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Building 4, 500 W. 1st Street, Pecatonica.  Participants will rotate through bicycle stations, including a bicycle pre-check, helmet check, riding in traffic, rules of the road, crossing intersections, and hand signals.  

Events

News Releases

Osteoporosis spelled out in beads on a pink background
Protect Your Bones: Learn the Basics of Osteoporosis Prevention
Freeport, Ill.-- Over 54 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis, placing them at increased risk for bone fractures. Post-menopausal women face a higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, but men are also affected. In fact, men over the age of 50 are...
Flowers with Butterfly and Bee Pollinators
Pollinators: If You Plant It, They Will Come
Join University of Illinois Extension, Jo Daviess County Master Gardener, Madelynn Wilharm for this program to celebrate National Pollinator Week on Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. This program is being held at the Galena Community Garden, 715 S. Dodge Street, Galena, IL. Pre-registration is...
Multiple protein food sources... chicken, salmon, beef, beans..
Protein, Physical Activity, and Aging: What You Need to Know
Staying healthy and fit can be challenging at any age, but maintaining strength becomes even more important as we grow older. Aging brings many natural physiological changes, including a gradual loss of muscle mass that can affect mobility, independence, and overall health.Beginning...
fresh cut herbs bundled for drying
From Garden to Table: Using Culinary Herbs in Everyday Meals
Freeport, Ill. --Herbs and spices are a simple way to add flavor while supporting healthy eating. Whether you grow them in your garden or purchase them locally, herbs can transform everyday meals with vibrant flavors, aromas, and colors. Learning how to select, store, and use...
corn filed with talking crop logo
2026 Season of Talking Crop Podcast Announced
FREEPORT, Ill--The Talking Crop podcast is back for its third season. Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator, Kathryn Seebruck, Talking Crop is a row crop production podcast, with episodes...
 tornado above trees, severe flooding, and grass fire

Be ready before a disaster occurs

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings