Become a Certified Food Protection Manager
ROCKFORD, Ill. 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 October.The Illinois Department of Public Health...
Creating with Willow Branches
Join University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Volunteer Laurie Gothard-Zueger for this fun, hands on program. The program will take place on Thursday, October 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth. There is a $20 fee to...
Succulent Dish Garden Workshop: Design, Create, Cultivate
Join University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinator Nikki Keltner for this fun make and take program on succulents. This workshop is being held on Thursday, October 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There is a $30 fee and pre-...
Wee Nats Program Returns for Young Nature Explorers
Families in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties are invited to join Wee Nats, a free monthly environmental education program designed for children ages 4–7 and their caregivers. Sessions will be held each month, October through May, in each respective county.Each month, Wee...
Jo Daviess County 4-H Hosts Information Night for Families Interested in Youth Programming
Elizabeth, Ill. – Illinois 4-H, the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, will host a 4-H Information Night on Sunday, September 28, at 4 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, located at 204 Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL.This event is designed...
Dorothy Wire Honored with 2025 Illinois 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Award
Stephenson County 4-H is proud to announce that Dorothy Wire has been selected as one of only two individuals in the state to receive the prestigious 2025 Illinois 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Award. This honor is the highest recognition given to Illinois 4-H volunteers, celebrating those...
Rita Koch Inducted into 2025 Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame
Stephenson County 4-H proudly announces that Rita Koch has been inducted into the 2025 Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, recognizing her 25 years of exemplary service and dedication to the poultry program and local youth.The Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame honors volunteers who demonstrate outstanding...
Invasive Species Fall Edition
Join University of Illinois Extension Natural Resource, Environment and Energy Educator Jay Solomon for an Invasive Species Fall Edition program. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7 at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There is no...
Growing Great Apples
Join University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty for this program focused on apple production. “Growing Great Apples” will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4 at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth...
Mastering the Slow Cooker: A Delicious Way to Cook
Brush up on your slow cooker skills at Mastering the Slow Cooker, a program held at the Stephenson County Senior Resource Center, 206 E Stephenson St, Freeport, IL, on Friday, October 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator,...
Illinois 4-H Honors Jo Daviess County Volunteers
Illinois 4-H proudly honors exceptional alumni, volunteers, and former staff members who have made a lasting impact on their communities and the 4-H program. During the 2025 Illinois State Fair, two outstanding individuals from Jo Daviess County were recognized for their...
Successfully Managing Your Yard Waste with Compost
Join University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Jay Solomon on Tuesday, September 16 at either 1:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. for this program on how to manage your yard waste effectively. This program is being held at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N...
Stay Strong, Stay Connected: Learn How to Maintain Muscle Strength as You Age
Did you know that proper nutrition and regular physical activity can slow the rate of muscle loss and support bone health, metabolism, and blood sugar control? To learn more, join University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Diane Reinhold, at the Stephenson County Senior...
Charlotte Musser Wins 2025 Stephenson County Master Showmanship Contest
Ten Stephenson County 4-H members battled it out Thursday afternoon, July 24, at the Stephenson County Fair in the annual Master Showmanship Contest. Youth ages 14–18 competed by showing swine, sheep, and beef in this prestigious competition, which tests participants’ skills in handling and...
Stephenson County 4-H Members Excel at Illinois State Fair
Stephenson County 4-H members proudly showcased their talents at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, August 9, bringing home top honors and representing their community with excellence.A total of 44 projects from Stephenson County were exhibited in Springfield. Of these entries, nine...
Jo Daviess County 4-H Fair Showcases Youth Talent and Dedication
From July 14–16, 2025, the Jo Daviess County 4-H Fair was alive with energy, creativity, and community spirit. 4-H members from across the county gathered to proudly present their projects, ranging from horses and hens to bunnies and calves—and everything in between.The fairgrounds buzzed...
Crop dusting: Exploring aerial application safety by plane or drone
URBANA, Ill. — One of the trademarks of summer is the sight of planes and helicopters making gravity-defying turns as they make passes up and down cornfields. While this evokes awe and amazement, it also elicits curiosity as to what they are doing and why. Additionally, when serious or fatal...
Walk the Forest and Learn to Fight Invasive Plants
Some plants quietly—yet quickly—invade and overtake our landscapes, pushing out natives and offering no benefits to people, wildlife, or the environment. Luckily, Fall is an ideal time to identify and manage many of the invasive plants in our timber, prairie areas, and landscapes. ...
