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Winter Agriculture Programs

Stay up to date on all things agriculture this Winter.
Discover the latest research and best practices by exploring our many agriculture programs and offerings.

Find local agriculture programs

Upcoming Programs and Events

Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales

Embrace winter's beauty through outdoor exploration and indoor inspiration at the University of Illinois Extension's Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales. Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales will be held at Torstenson's Education Center and will include four sessions led by three keynote speakers, each presenting a "naturalist tale" as well as an opportunity for a winter hike.

Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit

The University of Illinois Extension is hosting the annual Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit this winter to provide producers with the latest agronomic research updates and equip them with information that will empower their farm decision-making. Click here for more information.

Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference - Rockford 2026

This conference addresses common issues facing fruit and vegetable growers, hoping to provide the most up-to-date information to ensure a successful growing season and business.

Events

2026 Driftless Region Beef Conference

January 22, 2026 - January 23, 2026

Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit

January 28, 2026

Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales 2026

January 31, 2026

County

Winnebago

4-H Public Speaking Workshop

February 3, 2026

County

Winnebago

More Events

News Releases

January 9, 2026

Corn and soybean nutrient needs discussed at Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit
Of the many decisions a producer must make to achieve optimum yields, crop nutrition may be the most important and complex. At the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit, Dr. Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at University of Illinois, will review the...

Looking at the front of a blue barn with dairy cows inside at a livestock facility

January 6, 2026

Strengthen livestock facility management through 2026 Certified Livestock Manager Training
URBANA, Ill. — Livestock operations are strengthened by having certified individuals on staff. Certification helps minimize environmental impacts through increased awareness of regulations and proper manure nutrient management. Anyone responsible for managing a facility can benefit from...

December 23, 2025

Health and Management Roundup for Small Ruminants
Join University of Illinois Extension Livestock Specialist Dr. Teresa Steckler for a program on small ruminants. This program is taking place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There is no fee to attend but pre-...

December 22, 2025

Novel Illinois weed species identified in Stephenson County
Corn and soybean farmers should be scouting for a new weed this upcoming growing season. Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) was identified in a field in Stephenson County following corn harvest this fall. This is the first confirmed Asian copperleaf population in Illinois....

December 18, 2025

Fruit Tree Pruning Fundamentals Program Wraps Up
While it is still too early to begin fruit tree pruning in Northern Illinois, that hasn’t stopped University of Illinois Extension offices in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties from providing classroom-based instruction this past November and December.“I’ve taught this fruit...

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