Freshly harvested vegetables

Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Impact.

Talking Crop Podcast

Talking Crop is a row crop production podcast. In each episode, a guest expert is interviewed to discuss topics in their areas of expertise. Each episode provides relevant, timely information to corn and soybean producers to help them make informed management decisions.

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Upcoming Programs and Events

 DIABETES with fruits and vegetables

Diabetes 101

The Diabetes 101 series offers a variety of topics, allowing participants to register for the entire series or attend individual sessions based on their interests. Classes will be held at the Senior Resource Center, 206 E Stephenson St Freeport, IL from 1-3 PM.

Session topics include:
Understanding Diabetes and Prediabetes - September 2
Meal Planning Made Easy - September 9
Heart Healthy Eating -      September 16
Management Beyond Food - September 23
 
 Stehascope, alarm clock, magnifying glass and book "promote healthy aging"

Understanding the Aging Process: How Aging Affects Your Nutritional Status

Learn how aging influences nutritional needs, and discover why good nutrition is crucial to healthy aging. Participants will also receive practical tips and strategies to help navigate the nutritional changes associated with aging.

 grapevine wreath with pine cones, lemon slices, berries and ribbon

Grapevine Wreaths

Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Volunteers Laurie and Linda will show you what you can create with the grapevines growing wild around your property. Participants will learn how to fashion the grapevines into a wreath and adorn it with festive fall pieces and natural dried elements. Participants will get to take these wreaths home to display for all to see!
 

Events

Diabetes 101
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County
Stephenson
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News Releases

heart shaped bowl with fruit, a stethoscope, tennis shoes, water bottle, and hand weights
Heart Healthy Living
Our hearts beat nearly 100,000 times each day, supplying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body to sustain life. Yet many people rarely think about their heart health until problems arise. Nor do they realize that everyday lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, poor...
Diabetes word with fruits and vegetables int he background
University of Illinois Extension offers Diabetes 101 educational series
FREEPORT, Ill.--- Diabetes touches millions of lives every day. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed, have been living with diabetes for years, or are supporting a loved one, you’re not alone. With the right information and support, diabetes can be managed, and healthy living...
4-H member holding two fish
Illinois 4-H announces winners of 2026 Hooks Us Together Fishing Tournament
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 4-H Hooks Us Together Fishing Tournament, a statewide virtual fishing competition that encouraged youth to explore the outdoors, develop fishing skills, and connect with nature.This virtual tournament attracted an...
white background, colorful borders and green clover
Stephenson County 4-H Celebrates 10th Annual Master Showmanship Contest
Six of Stephenson County's top 4-H livestock exhibitors put their skills, knowledge, and showmanship to the test during the 10th Annual Stephenson County 4-H Master Showmanship Contest, held Thursday, July 23, at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds.The prestigious contest featured six...
Book cover with promote healthy aging with stethoscope, alarm clock and magnifying glass
Understanding the Aging Process: How Aging Affects Your Nutritional Status
Aging doesn’t just change how we look; it quietly reshapes how the body functions. While graying hair, thinning skin, and fine lines around the eyes are easy to see, many of the most important changes occur beneath the surface. As we grow older, muscle mass gradually declines, metabolism slows,...
More News Releases
tornado above trees, severe flooding, and grass fire

Be ready before a disaster occurs

Programs We Offer

4-H Youth Development
Agriculture
Community Economic Development
Horticulture
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs
Local Foods & Small Farms
Natural Resources, Energy & Environment
Nutrition & Wellness

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Topics we address
Agricultural Technology
Beef Cattle
Christmas Trees
Climate
Community Gardens
Community Planning
Composting
Container Gardens
Cottage Food
Crops
Diabetes
Disasters
Economic Development
Energy
Environmental Quality
Family
Farm Management
Firewood
Flowers
Food
Food Preservation
Food Safety
Forestry
Fruit Trees for Home Gardens
Health
Hemp
Herbs
Home Vegetable Gardening
Houseplants
Illinois Grasses
Illinois Master Naturalist Program
Insects
Invasives
Lawns
Livestock
Local Food Systems and Small Farms
Local Government Education
Mental Health
Mushrooms
Natural Resources
Nutrient Loss Reduction
Personal Finances
Plant Problems
Plants
Pumpkins
Rainfall Management
Regenerative Agriculture
Roses
Septic Systems
Small Fruits for Home Gardens
Soil
Specialty Crops
Thriving Youth
Ticks
Turkey
Vaccines
Weather
Wildlife
Youth Gardening

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings
Serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago
Stephenson County Extension Office
2998 W Pearl City Rd
Highland Community College, Bldg R
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-235-4125
Jo Daviess County Extension Office
204 N Vine Street, PO Box 600
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Phone: 815-858-2273
Winnebago County Extension Office
1040 North Second Street
Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: 815-986-4357