News Releases

Spring Centerpieces
Join Nikki Keltner, University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinator, for Spring Centerpieces on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL 61028. There will be a $20 fee to attend this program and pre-registration is required as...
Freeport Teen Travels to National 4-H Congres
“You never know where 4-H might take you,” says Stephenson County 4-H and Youth Development Program Coordinator Brenda Heimann. “Our very own Michelle Marck,of Freeport, had a once in a lifetime experience this past November when she was selected to be a representative at the National 4-H...
Totally Tomatoes, Perfect Peppers
Join Grant McCarty, University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, for Totally Tomatoes, Perfect Peppers on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Elizabeth Community Building, HWY 20 W. Elizabeth, IL 61028. There will be a $5 fee to attend this program and pre-...
Arts & Crafts with 4-H After School
The University of Illinois Extension / 4-H & the Children’s Hand-On Museum (CHOM) have teamed up to bring Stephenson County youth, ages 4-12 a fun-filled after school hour of arts & crafts. On March 17th, from 4-5 p.m. we will be learning paper quilling & mosaic art at the CHOM. If...
Spring into quick breads
This spring, cultivate wellness in your youth and empower them to move more and gain important life skills in the kitchen. University of Illinois Extension & 4-H is offering a fun opportunity to build confidence and healthy habits with the April I MADE That cooking kit. The kits will...
Geothermal energy systems capture the power of the sun
URBANA, Ill. – Solar energy is not limited to solar panels. Geothermal energy represents another method of using solar energy to heat water and buildings and to generate electricity. As the sun heats the earth’s surface, geothermal systems harvest this energy in a clean, efficient, and...
Grazing Livestock, A Conservation Strategy
Join John Strauser, a PhD student at University of Illinois, Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Educator, and Kelly VanBeek, Wildlife Biologist from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a community discussion on using grazing livestock as a conservation strategy. This discussion will...
Connecting Hunger and Health at Illinois Food Pantry Conference
One in ten people in Illinois struggle with food insecurity daily, according to Feeding America. Making the healthy food choice is not always easy when money is tight. Food pantries and agencies that address food insecurity are invited to attend the Hunger and Health Illinois Conference. The...
The Tallest Snowman Challenge- After School Program
The University of Illinois- Extension & 4-H has teamed up with the Children’s Hands On Museum (CHOM) of Northwest Illinois to offer an after school program for all children ages 3-12. The program date is February 17 from 4-5 pm at the CHOM, located at 1233 W. Galena Ave. Freeport, IL....
Hands-on Fun Awaits Kids at Winnebago County 4-H Project Workshop Day
Rockford, IL – University of Illinois Extension is hosting its annual Winnebago County 4-H Project Workshop Day on Saturday, March 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Church in Rockton. Project Workshop Day is a 3-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to...
Joys of Gardening Returns this February
University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Joys of Gardening returns as an in-person event to offer gardening tips for the growing season. There will be three fun and informative topics offered from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at the Highland Community College...
Show your heart some love this February!
Show your heart some love this February! February is American Heart Month, and what better way to celebrate it than together as a family. American Heart Month brings awareness to heart health and inspires us to adopt healthy lifestyles to...
Make a big difference on small farms with winter workshops
URBANA, Ill. – Every small farm is different. Direct market farmers sending produce to local restaurants have different needs than homesteaders getting started with livestock for the first time. But small farmers, hobby operations, and backyard growers alike can always trust University of...
Make informed decisions on the farm with newest field research updates
URBANA, Ill. – Winter is a time for the agriculture community to pause and plan for the next growing season. Crop producers, consultants, and industry professionals can get the latest updates on Illinois crop production in person or online at the 2022 Crop Management Conference in January and...
Local Extension Office Honored at State Convention
‘Extending Knowledge, Changing Lives.’ That’s what the staff at the University of Illinois Extension offices in Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties focuses on. Whether you’re a family or an individual, a business or an organization, a youth or a senior, you can trust Illinois Extension...
Master Gardeners Host Make-and-Take Holiday Event
Gather your friends for a morning of holiday fun and decorating as University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in Winnebago County host their annual ‘Horticulture for the Holidays’ workshop on Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lockwood Park in the Cookhouse (5201 Safford Rd.,...