Get your certified food protection manager certification
Dining out is a cherished part of American life, whether for celebrations or casual meals. With the rising number of diners, ensuring top-notch quality and safety in food service is crucial.The FDA’s 2022 Food Code enhances food safety protocols for retail establishments. In Illinois, all...
Simplify meal preparation with a slow cooker
Balancing a busy lifestyle with healthy eating can be challenging, but the University of Illinois Extension has developed a program to make this task both manageable and enjoyable. Introducing “Busy Lives, Easy Meals: Mastering the Slow Cooker,” a comprehensive guide to making delicious,...
Giving your garden a facelift
Join University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Madelynn Wilharm for a presentation on “Giving Your Garden an Overhaul”. This program is taking place on Thursday, October 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There...
Extraordinary Winnebago County 4-H volunteer honored
Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Cindy Anderson, a ten-year volunteer in Winnebago County, was recently honored by Illinois 4-H for their selfless dedication to...
Winnebago County youth competed at the Illinois State Fair
Over fifty youth from Winnebago County recently competed at the state level at the 4-H General Project Show held August 9 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The best of the best were on display August 9 at the 4-H General Project Show of the Illinois State Fair. Award-...
Youth Leadership Conference: Youth in Action
Are you ready to step out into leadership but are not sure how to get started? Join University of Illinois Extension at Youth Leadership Conference: Youth in Action to hear from youth who have stepped out into leadership and been successful. Participants will...
Winnebago County youth turn projects into valuable learning experiences
4-H youth put their passion and hard work on display on 4-H Day at the Winnebago County Fair 4-H on August 14, 2024. In 4-H, projects are a way for members to learn about what interests them. Projects spark members to follow their passions, interests, and talents on a new path to...
Trees and Fall Leaves Workshop at Schurmeier Teaching Forest
As the leaves change colors, the University of Illinois Extension and the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation invite youth aged 6-12 and their families to join a free outdoor adventure at the Trees and Fall Leaves Workshop at Schurmeier Teaching Forest, 147 E. Reusch Rd., Elizabeth, IL, on...
Air Frying 101 program set for Oct. 3 in Rockford
Air frying can be a creative way to stretch your food dollars, help you save money on energy costs, and it can be a healthy alternative to other cooking methods. However, when it comes to selecting an air fryer, there are a few things you will want to consider before investing in this popular...
Area youth gained problem-solving skills through “backpack” Community Service Project
Stephenson County 4-H Ambassadors organized a Spring Break Backpack Project for area youth in need of food security this past spring. From start to finish 13 youth planned, organized, shopped, and packed 30 backpacks for 30 families and then delivered them to the Boys & Girls Club of...
Jo Daviess County 4-H will host "Information Night"
Illinois 4-H, the flagship youth program of the University of Illinois Extension, is the largest out-of-school youth organization in Illinois. In Jo Daviess County, 4-H youth development programs encourage kids to “learn by doing” through engaging, hands-on activities. Participants can learn,...
Learn how to properly manage your forest
Join Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension Forestry Specialist for a Forest Management Plan Workshop on Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elizabeth Community Building, HWY 20 West, Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $40 fee to attend this workshop. Pre-registration is...
Extension offers webinar about farm business structure
Choosing the right business structure for a farm or ranch business shouldn’t be hard. In the Business Structure Basics Webinar, led by staff from Farm Commons in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension, producers will learn how to apply straightforward...
Learn how to grow your own apples
Come celebrate the fall apple season by learning more about this exceptional local fruit. Join University of Illinois Extension's Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, Grant McCarty, for the Growing Great Apples program. In this presentation, you'll learn about general...
Apple orchards opening in Northern Illinois
The end of August in Northern Illinois marks the opening of many of the apple orchards in our region. These orchards grow a wide-range of unique and common apple varieties, with new varieties ripening each week from now until the end of October. At many of these family-owned and operated...
Selecting, storing, and using winter squash
Winter squash is one of the fall's most popular and tasty vegetables. Winter squash encompasses a variety of squash, such as Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Hubbard, Sweet Dumpling, and Spaghetti squash. If you want to learn how to make your everyday squash go from ordinary to extraordinary, Join...
Stephenson County 4-H Youth compete in the Master Showmanship Contest
On July 27, 2024, Stephenson County 4-H members participated in the Master Showmanship Contest, at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, which the Stephenson County Farm Bureau and Stephenson County 4-H coordinated. We had (9) 4-H members between the ages of 14-18 (based on their 4-H age) compete...
Stephenson County 4-H Announces Top Award Winners
Youth in Stephenson County exhibited 4-H projects this past month at various shows held at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds and the Extension Office on Highland Community College’s campus. Enrollment in the local 4-H program increased this past...
Are you part of a non-profit org that serves food? This class is for you!
Selling and serving food remains a popular fundraising activity for many community groups. If you belong to a service club, church group, youth group, special interest club, or any non-profit organization, chances are good that you sell food. Any time your group sells food, it is essential to...
Plant a row for the hungry campaign in full swing
Zillions of zucchinis, tons of tomatoes, and cartloads of carrots are just examples of the produce that can be donated to Plant a Row (PAR) for the Hungry. Plant a Row provides a much-needed outlet for vegetable gardeners to donate their over-abundance of produce, which helps to meet the...
