News Releases

Kristi Krahmer inducted into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
Freeport, ILL [September 7, 2021]—Kristi Krahmer, co-club leader of the Lena Lucky Clovers 4-H, was recently named to the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame for her leadership and mentoring role as a volunteer. The Hall of Fame honors volunteers and former staff members for their dedication to the...
Donate Your Extra Garden Produce; Help Your Community Eat Fresh
ROCKFORD, ILL [August 6, 2021]—The garden harvest season has begun, and along with that, so has the “Plant A Row for the Hungry” initiative. Local gardeners can donate excess fruits and vegetables at drop-off sites throughout Winnebago County. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners...
Falling into the Autumn Vegetable Garden
Join Grant McCarty, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 12 p.m. for this virtual program. You must pre-register by September 21 to receive the Zoom link to join the program. The program is being offered free of charge but donations to help offset the cost of...
You've Got Your Bounty From the Garden; Now What Do You Do With It?
Freeport, ILL [August 6, 2021]—All of your passion, sweat and hard work has paid off this summer. Your garden is overflowing, and now it’s time to harvest! If you are like most gardeners, you have more produce than you can eat before it spoils. You may even be asking yourself, ‘What can I do...
Youth Learn the Importance of Fiber-rich Foods during Whole Grains Month
University of Illinois Extension has put together fun, interactive educational kits designed to inspire the inner chef to celebrate National Whole Grains Month this September. Whole grains are an important part of a healthy and well-balanced diet. They provide fiber and many key...
Harvesting a Rainbow of Tomatoes
Loving seeing those beautiful red, yellow, and green colors? Well, you’re in luck – we are fast approaching tomato season! Whether you enjoy fried green tomatoes or waiting for them to turn that beautiful deep red color if you love tomatoes, check out the University of Illinois Extension’s...
Geothermal systems bring smaller footprint to scalable, renewable energy
URBANA, Ill. – As Illinois advances towards its goal of converting all energy systems to 100% renewable energy by 2050, it recognizes that other energy sources besides solar and wind are necessary to reach the state’s future demands. Geothermal energy could be the key to replacing...
Extension holding USDA training for local school nutritional professionals
According to the School Nutrition Association, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is the country's second-largest food and nutrition assistance program. During the 2019 school year, the NSLP served 4.8 billion lunches to children nationwide. With the vast number of students receiving...
Winnebago County 4-H Bass Fishing SPIN Club was a great success!
Area youth participated in University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H Bass Fishing Club during the week of June 7-11, 2021 at the ICF Torstenson Property in Pecatonica, Illinois.  The club was co-led by 4-H Youth Leadership Team member Myles Nelson and adult 4-H volunteer Tony Grotto. ...
Electronics Recycling Event offered in Freeport
Electronics Recycling Collection Offered The Stephenson County Health Department, City of Freeport, and University of Illinois Extension have partnered to host an electronics recycling collection event on Saturday, August 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., in parking...
Midwest Hemp Study Includes Local College Students
Freeport, ILL [June 23, 2021]—Local college students had the unique opportunity to assist and learn from University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator Phillip Alberti in April with a replicated research trial focusing on industrial hemp. Alberti gave brief lectures...
Wizarding World of 4-H School
University of Illinois Extension will be offering a “Wizarding World of 4-H” event on Tuesday, June 29, in Elizabeth at the Elizabeth Community Building, Wednesday, June 30 in Freeport at the Freeport Public Library and Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Rockton at Prince of Peace Church. This...
Extension Brings STEM Activities to the Classroom
Creative thinking, hands-on problem solving, critical reasoning—these are just some of the skills seventh and eighth grade students at Pearl City Middle School used on Wednesday, May 26. Staff from the University of Illinois Extension brought five different STEM activities for students to learn...
Youth Learn the Importance of Healthy Hydration and Physical Activity
  University of Illinois Extension and 4-H have put together fun educational kits designed to inspire healthy hydration and physical activity in celebration of the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Join in on the fun with the Olympic-themed activities included in the kit. These...
Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
URBANA, Ill. – After a long winter, Illinois gardeners are eager for the new growing season. While doing the usual preparations and tasks, home gardeners should be aware of an invasive species wriggling across the Midwest – the jumping worm. Jumping worms are non-native earthworms that...
Babysitting Clinics
  Take care of the kids in your neighborhood when their parents can't be with them! University of Illinois Extension will be offering a babysitting clinic this summer. Interested youth may choose to attend the clinic on June 4 at Prince of Peace Church, Rockton,...
Refining and Expanding Hemp Database
In 2018, the USDA issued the “Interim Final Rule for the Domestic Production of Hemp,” legalizing hemp production (grain, fiber, and cannabinoids) in the United States for the first time in nearly 70 years. Due to federal regulations and limitations in the past, there has been a severe lack of...
Stephenson County Youth Nominated for State Public Speaking Contest
Three Stephenson County 4-H youth were nominated on Tuesday, April 20, to compete in the Illinois 4-H State Public Speaking Contest. Their quest to compete at the State Contest started back in January when the youth attended a Farm Bureau training for public speaking. The Tuesday evening...
Kitchen Scrap Gardening
  Join the University of Illinois Extension in learning about Kitchen Scrap Gardening. This will be in the form of a kit that you can come to pick up at your local Extension Office that will include all of the materials needed for you to get started on your kitchen scrap garden....