Combine harvesting corn

Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Impact.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Porch pot made with pine boughs, sticks, berries and a bow.

Evergreen Porch Pots

This hands-on class will provide participants with the opportunity to design and assemble a decorative container using a variety of fresh evergreen boughs, natural accents, and seasonal embellishments. Participants will leave with a completed porch pot and the confidence to create seasonal containers in the future. 

Jo Daviess County: 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL 61028
Stephenson County: 6:00 p.m. at the Lena Community Center, 497 Lions Drive, Lena, IL 61048

Heart shaped bowl with fruits and vegetables with tennis shoes, hand weights, stethoscope and water bottle

Heart Healthy Living

Topics will include understanding heart disease, heart-healthy eating, physical activity, managing stress, quality sleep, setting realistic goals for long-term heart health, and understanding cholesterol and dietary fat. Participants will receive practical wellness strategies and heart-healthy recipes to try at home.

Sessions will be held from 1–3 p.m. at Midwest Medical Center.

Eating to Lower Blood Pressure, October 8
Setting Goals to Build a Heart-Healthy Life, October 29 
Understanding Cholesterol and Dietary Fat, November 12
 
You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

First Impressions: Stand Out as a Job Applicant

Your future starts with the impression you make today! In this interactive workshop, you'll gain real-world skills that can help you feel confident when applying for jobs, meeting employers, and interviewing for opportunities. From handshakes and applications to resumes, cover letters, and career goals, you'll leave ready to put your best foot forward and make employers remember you.

Events

News Releases

Potted House Plant
Healthy Houseplants
Join Nikki Keltner and Alex Burbach, University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinators, for “Healthy Houseplants” on November 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office. There will be a $15 fee to attend this program and pre-registration is...
meals in plastic bags in freezer
Cooking for One or Two? Make Your Freezer Your Best Friend
FREEPORT, Ill.--- After years of preparing meals for a family, cooking for one or two people can feel like more work than it's worth. It can be tempting to eat out more often or rely on convenience foods, but preparing meals at home remains one of the best ways to save money,...
Asian Copperleaf
Asian copperleaf found in a second Illinois county
FREEPORT, Ill. – Asian copperleaf, an emerging weed of concern in the Midwest, has now been confirmed in a second Illinois county. Following its initial discovery in Stephenson County during harvest in 2025, a newly confirmed population in Carroll County suggests that this...
 tornado above trees, severe flooding, and grass fire

Be ready before a disaster occurs

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings