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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Hort for the Holidays - Jo Daviess County Edition
Gather your friends for an afternoon of decorating fun as the University of Illinois Extension hosts “Hort for the Holidays – Jo Daviess County Edition. This program is being held on Tuesday, December 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL 61028...

Horticulture for the Holidays Workshop
Illinois Extension and Master Gardeners invite holiday enthusiasts for the annual Horticulture for the Holidays workshop on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Extension Office in Rockford, 1040 N. Second Street. Participants will complete a make-and-take project that demonstrates...

Rockford Woman Earns State Award
University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County is proud to announce Terre McGee has recently received the Individual Excellence in Outstanding Programming Award. McGee, a SNAP-Ed Community Outreach Worker in Rockford, was nominated by her fellow co-workers for...

Are You Eating to Enjoy Retirement?
Aging is more than the passing of time. It is a subtle and quiet process that occurs each and every day, which often goes unnoticed. Those first few strands of gray hair are signs of the inevitable – you’re getting older, and your body is changing. You may have noticed you’re growing a little...

Local Master Gardeners Win State Teamwork Award
FREEPORT, Ill – For the last two years, a dedicated team of Stephenson County Master Gardeners have been working in a partnership with the Freeport Park District to create and maintain demonstration gardens in Krape Park. These gardens serve as a way for park visitors to learn about plants that...

Naturalist Program Offered for Youth
FREEPORT, Ill – Join the University of Illinois Extension for Wee Naturalists (Wee Nats) a fun, interactive program for youth ages 4-7, where they will learn about different environmental education topics through a story, activity, craft, and hike. University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth...

Forage Council Sets Hay Auction Dates, Fall 2022
The Northwestern Illinois Forage and Grassland Council has announced dates for their upcoming hay and straw auctions to be held in Orangeville, Illinois.  The Council has sponsored these auctions for over 25 years. The first auction will be Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 11 am at...

Falling Into the Autumn Vegetable Garden
“Falling Into the Autumn Vegetable Garden” is part of the Falling Into Autumn Gardening Series University of Illinois Extension is putting on.  It will be held on Thursday, October 13 at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL, starting at 1:30 p.m.. To...