Stephenson County 4-H Members Compete at Illinois State 4-H Meats Judging Contest
Several Stephenson County 4-H members recently showcased their skills at the Illinois State 4-H Meats Judging Contest held Friday, March 6, at the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory in Urbana.Competing in the senior division, Brogan Keltner of Pearl City earned an impressive...
Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference Recap
Our 30th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference was held on Monday, February 16, in Rockford. Nearly 120 growers and community college students attended this event, which focuses on timely updates for fruit and vegetable growers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We...
Yes, You Can: Freezing Your Summer Harvest
Spring is just around the corner, and before long, summer gardens will be overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy those garden-fresh flavors long after the growing season ends. Home food preservation remains a popular way to reduce food...
Focus on Your Future: Protecting Your Vision for Life
Freeport, Ill.--More than 7 million Americans are estimated to live with vision impairment, with higher rates often seen in rural communities. Interestingly, many people fear losing their vision more than losing their memory, hearing, or speech, yet they frequently delay routine...
Spring Centerpieces
Join University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinator Nikki Keltner as she presents “Spring Centerpieces” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series on Thursday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m. This program is being held at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL....
Stephenson County 4-H Youth Showcase Culinary Skills at Favorite Foods Contest
Four talented 4-H members showcased their culinary skills during the annual Favorite Foods Contest held Saturday, February 21, in Freeport. The event highlighted creativity in the kitchen, meal planning knowledge, and confidence in presentation.Participants prepared and presented a...
Become a Certified Food Protection Manager
Galena, IL --- Do you work with food or hope to begin a career in the food industry? University of Illinois Extension is offering an opportunity to earn the nationally recognized Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential this spring.The Illinois Department of Public Health...
Registration Now Open for 2026 Stephenson County 4-H Public Speaking and Demonstrations Contest
Youth across the county are invited to sharpen their communication skills as registration opens for the 2026 Stephenson County 4-H Public Speaking and Demonstrations Contest. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Stephenson County Extension Office, located in...
Become a Certified Food Protection Manager
Freeport, Ill.--- Whether dining out for a special occasion or grabbing a quick meal on the go, people expect food that is both high-quality and safe. This expectation plays a major role in where people choose to eat. To protect customers and maintain public health, restaurants are required to...
Candice King Guest Speaks at 4-H Public Speaking Workshop
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, thirty-nine youth from Stephenson, Winnebago, Ogle, Boone, and DeKalb Counties attended a public speaking workshop at the Machine Shed in Rockford, Illinois. This workshop helps youth learn new techniques to prepare them for their counties’ upcoming public...
Prepare for the Growing Season at Gardening for Food, Flowers, and Fun
WINNEBAGO COUNTY- Garden enthusiasts are invited to prepare for and welcome in the growing season with University of Illinois Extension and U of I Extension Master Gardeners at Gardening for Food, Flowers, and Fun. The day will have something for every gardener in every stage of their...
Extension Offers Conserving Your Land and Legacy Series This Spring
LENA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension invites farmers, landowners, and community members to a three-part evening series, Conserving Your Land and Legacy. This program is designed for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture, natural resource stewardship, and...
Grow, Learn, and Get Inspired: 28th Annual Joys of Gardening Set for Feb. 28 in Freeport
Freeport, Ill—Mark your calendars for the 28th annual Joys of Gardening program offered by the University of Illinois Extension and the U of I Extension Master Gardeners. Slated for Saturday, February 28, at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road,...
Pasture Improvement: The Basics and Beyond
Join University of Illinois Extension for this series “Pasture Improvement: The Basics and Beyond” that will focus on management strategies to improve pasture productivity and resilience. The sessions for this series will be held on consecutive Thursday nights, March 5, 12, and 19 starting at 6:...
Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference returns to support Midwest landowners
URBANA, Ill. — The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference, one of the largest gatherings for forest landowners in the Midwest, returns this spring. For more than 25 years, the conference has provided resources to forest landowners in the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin area to better manage their...
Corn and soybean nutrient needs discussed at Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit
Of the many decisions a producer must make to achieve optimum yields, crop nutrition may be the most important and complex. At the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit, Dr. Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at University of Illinois, will review the...
Strengthen livestock facility management through 2026 Certified Livestock Manager Training
URBANA, Ill. — Livestock operations are strengthened by having certified individuals on staff. Certification helps minimize environmental impacts through increased awareness of regulations and proper manure nutrient management. Anyone responsible for managing a facility can benefit from...
Health and Management Roundup for Small Ruminants
Join University of Illinois Extension Livestock Specialist Dr. Teresa Steckler for a program on small ruminants. This program is taking place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There is no fee to attend but pre-...
Novel Illinois weed species identified in Stephenson County
Corn and soybean farmers should be scouting for a new weed this upcoming growing season. Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) was identified in a field in Stephenson County following corn harvest this fall. This is the first confirmed Asian copperleaf population in Illinois....
Fruit Tree Pruning Fundamentals Program Wraps Up
While it is still too early to begin fruit tree pruning in Northern Illinois, that hasn’t stopped University of Illinois Extension offices in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties from providing classroom-based instruction this past November and December.“I’ve taught this fruit...
