Dog Show Classes Held for 4-H Youth
Youth involved in 4-H showing dogs are encouraged to attend our dog show kick off meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Stephenson County Extension office.  Weekly classes will be held on Wednesdays beginning on May 20, 2020 through July 10, 2020 at...

Aerial insect trap network describes life in the skies
Like most invasive species, when the soybean aphid arrived in the Midwest in 2000, it brought none of its natural enemies along for the ride. So, naturally, finding itself in the soybean capital of the world, the tiny insect went bonkers. Taking advantage of a nifty ability to reproduce without...

Kids Experienced Hands on Learning at Stephenson County 4-H Super Saturday
Freeport, IL – University of Illinois Extension hosted its annual 4-H Super Saturday on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Highland Community College. Super Saturday is a 2.5-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to explore the many project areas available through the 4-H program...

Goat, Poultry and Rabbit Clinic for 4-H Youth
For Immediate Release March 11, 2020 Goat, Poultry and Rabbit Clinic Held for 4-H Youth Youth involved in 4-H showing goats, poultry and/or rabbits are encouraged to attend our Goat, Poultry and Rabbit Clinic on April 25, 2020 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds in...

International Visitor Leadership Program Participants
For Immediate Release   March 11, 2020 University of Illinois Extension- Stephenson County Welcomes International Visitor Leadership Program Participants International Visitor Leadership Program through the U.S. Department of State participants representing...

4-H and Extension Foundation Announces Pork Chop Dinner
The Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation announces its Annual Pork Chop Dinner Fundraiser, which will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2020, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The dinner will be held at the Eagles Club in Freeport, 1200 W. Galena Ave and feature a 6 oz. pork chop sandwich. The...

The Cook's Garden
Join Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon for a program on The Cook’s Garden. The program will be held at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth. There will be a $5 fee to attend the program...

Over 50 Fruit and Vegetable Growers Attend University of Illinois Extension’s Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Conference
University of Illinois Extension held the annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Rockford on Monday, February 24, 2020. “This conference gives yearly updates to fruit and vegetable growers as they determine how to better manage their crops, adapt their marketing/...

Get Growing: Vegetable Transplant Workshop
The University of Illinois Extension in partnership with the Stephenson County Farm Bureau are offering a workshop to help you get your vegetable garden started this spring. The Get Growing: Vegetable Transplant Workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Stephenson...

Exploring Current Diet Trends: The Good, the Bad, and the Hard to Maintain
  An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year. Yet according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 72% of adults, aged 20 years and older are either overweight or obese. So how is it possible with so many going on a diet each year that the weight of...

Applied Research Report: Crop Disease and Insect Management in Northwest Illinois
The 2018 and 2019 growing seasons have been a challenge for our producers in northern Illinois to say the least. Cold, wet springs prevented us from getting the crop in the ground, and extensive late-season rainfall delayed us in getting it out. As a result of these abnormal growing conditions,...

Agronomy Summit Provides Updates in Pest and Nutrient Management
Freeport, IL— On January 14th, University of Illinois Extension hosted its annual “Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit” at Highland Community College in Freeport. The theme for this year’s conference was “Updates in Nutrient and Pest Management” and hosted specialists from University of Illinois...

2020 All-America Selection Winners
By Bruce Black, Extension Educator, Horticulture After the polar vortex of last winter, many are wondering if those cold blustery temperatures will return this season to affect our plants in Illinois. According to winter predictions, and University of Illinois Extension horticulture...

Cooking Under Pressure: Air Fryers & Pressure Cooker
Cooking Under Pressure: Air Fryers & Pressure Cookers Did you recently receive or purchase a pressure cooker or air fryer? Are you wondering what to do with it? Or if it is as easy to use say they say? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider attending the University...

Hands-on Fun Awaits Kids at 4-H Super Saturday
Freeport, IL – University of Illinois Extension is hosting its annual 4-H Super Saturday on Saturday, March 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in Bldg. R at Highland Community College. Super Saturday is a 2.5-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to explore the many project...

Agronomy Summit Provides Updates in Pest and Nutrient Management
On January 14th, University of Illinois Extension hosted its annual “Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit” at Highland Community College in Freeport. The theme for this year’s conference was “Updates in Nutrient and Pest Management” and hosted specialists from University of Illinois and University...

Agronomy Summit Provides Updates in Pest and Nutrient Management
On January 14th, University of Illinois Extension hosted its annual “Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit” at Highland Community College in Freeport. The theme for this year’s conference was “Updates in Nutrient and Pest Management” and hosted specialists from University of Illinois and University...

Beyond Dirt
Join Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL, for the Beyond dirt program. There will be a $5 fee to attend the program and pre-registration is...

Certified Food Protection Manager (March 31 & April 3, 2020)
The University of Illinois Extension will offer the Certified Food Protection Manager Course, formally known as the Food Service Sanitation Manager Course (FSSMC). This two-part class is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited course, which meets the requirements of the...

Science Siesta
Boys Science Siesta and Girls Science Siesta Scheduled for March and April!         “Science Siesta is once again being offered by the University of Illinois Extension for both boys and girls,” said...