Event Offers Networking and Educational Opportunities for Young and Beginning Farmers
Have you ever wondered how Young and Beginning Farmers get their start in Agriculture? The Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties Extension offices have been involved in a Young and Beginning Farmer Research Project for the last year. The goal of the project is to assess how young and...

Stephenson County youth demonstrate specialized equine knowledge in state contest
In this contest, youth judge six classes of horses, at least two being halter classes, and youth 14 years of age and older may also choose to participate in oral reasons following the classes. Stephenson County had one youth participate from Lena, Illinois: Madalyn Schierloh. Madalyn...

Leaders of Tomorrow. –Stephenson County 4-H Ambassadors Teen Teach
Freeport, IL – Giving back to your community gives you a sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for what you have.  The 4-H Ambassadors in Stephenson County have learned that one way of giving back is through sharing what you have learned in 4-H, with younger youth. The Stephenson...

Stephenson County 4-H - Brings STEM activities to the Pearl City Middle School
FREEPORT, IL. – 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 Friday, February 17. Staff from the University of Illinois Extension and Pearl City Middle School Science...

Growing Great Grapes
Join University of Illinois Extension Educator Grant McCarty as he presents “Growing Great Grapes” as part of the Spring Break Gardening Series. This program is taking place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 starting at 6 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL...

Winnebago County 4-H kicks off summer shows with public speaking March 28, 2023
ROCKFORD, Ill- Winnebago County 4-H will be holding its first 2023 4-H show on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the University of Illinois Extension Office at 6 pm.  Youth ages 8-18 years old will present speeches on a wide variety of topics from Formal Speeches to Oral Interpretations. For...

Building Robust Meat Supply Chains in the Driftless Region
Are you interested in rolling up your sleeves to look at opportunities and challenges in meat production, processing, and distribution in the northwest region of Illinois? Join University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Jay Solomon along with UW...

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 4, 2023, at the Stephenson Farm Bureau Office. Super Saturday is a 3-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to explore the many project areas available through the 4-H...

2023 4-H Leadership Conference: Discovering the Leader Within You!
Hey youth (12-18 years of age), are you a leader?  Have you wanted to learn how to be a leader? On Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University of Illinois Extension will be hosting a youth leadership conference at the District 1 Police Station located at 1045 W....

Next generation of livestock leaders gain hands-on skills at youth conference
DECATUR, Ill.— The next generation of livestock leaders gained hands-on experience in the livestock field at this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference held Jan. 21-22 at the Decatur Hotel & Conference Center.  Attendees included 100 youth from 50 counties across Illinois,...

Plentiful Pantries
Join University of Illinois Extension on February 25, 2023, at the East Dubuque Library at 122 Wisconsin Ave, East Dubuque. This program will be from 10:30 am-1 pm. During this hands-on program, teens 12- 18 are invited to learn how to make 3 healthy snacks from items in their cupboards....

Vermicomposting: Here's the Scoop!
Did you know that worms are nature's recyclers? Vermicomposting is the process of composting food waste with worms. One pound of worms can turn 65 pounds of garbage into garden compost in 100 days. This result often referred to as "black gold," is thought to be one of the best fertilizers for...

Extension Offers Natural Resources Event
Embrace winter's beauty through outdoor exploration and indoor inspiration at University of Illinois Extension’s Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales will be held at the Torstenson’s Education Center...

Master Gardener Training offered in Stephenson County
FREEPORT, Ill.- The University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Master Gardener Training will be held in Stephenson County starting in February.  Interested people can register now for the training by calling the office at (815) 235-4125 or on the web at...

Getting Started with Swine
Join University of Illinois Extension for the first topic in the "Livestock Production and Principles for Beginners Webinar Series." Katie Bell, Local Foods Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator, will discuss "Getting Started...

Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp – Change Your Child’s Life!
Registration for 4-H Camp 2023 is open!  4-H Camp is set for June 11-15, 2023, at Rock River Christian Camp, Polo, IL.  Sign up today to get your child in on all the amazing fun!  4-H Camp is a five-day, four-night residential camping experience that is conducted cooperatively by...

Being Present: A Mindfulness Workshop
Sometimes every day stress can get a little overwhelming.  But how do you take a time out?  Join us for a Being Present: Mindfulness Workshop where parents and youth can learn some ways to calm down and take a moment to relax their minds and de-stress.  Several short meditations will be used to...

Local study highlights connection between grassland birds and grazing land
ELIZABETH, Ill.-Wildlife studies have noted significant declines in midwestern grassland songbirds over the last few decades. The research found the decline correlated with reductions in grazing and hay fields in the region. Research has found that many midwestern grassland birds need grass of...

Working toward Regenerative Agriculture
Join Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator, and John Strauser, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Grassland and Perennial Agriculture Outreach Specialist for this program that will identify ways groups can work together to...

Winter wellness and holiday treats
The temperatures will soon be dropping, and kids of all ages will be spending more time indoors. Keep them entertained this December with the University of Illinois Extension, and 4-H’s I MADE That educational cooking kit.  Cultivate meaningful moments this holiday season when enjoying...