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.

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
 
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
 
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

News Releases

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...
From left, Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers Anita Johnson, County Extension Director Margaret Larson, and Master Gardener volunteer Barbara Flores pose together at the 2026 Illinois Master Gardener Conference in Rockford. A purple Illinois Master Gardener banner and logo appear beside them.
Winnebago County Master Gardeners Receive Statewide Honors
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Two Winnebago County Master Gardeners with Illinois Extension were recognized for their outstanding service, leadership, and dedication during the 2026 Illinois Master Gardener Conference, held recently in Rockford, Illinois.The Illinois Extension Master...
Dried native flowers and grasses
Dried Flower Bouquets
Join University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardener volunteer Karen Arauz-Reed for a program on dried floral bouquets. This program will take place on Thursday, October 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There will be...
making a grapevine wreath with pine cones, ribbon, lemon slices and berries
Grapevine Wreaths
Join University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Volunteers Laurie Zueger and Linda Helgeson for Grapevine Wreaths. The program will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14 at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $15...
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...
 tornado above trees, severe flooding, and grass fire

Be ready before a disaster occurs

Check out Illinois Extension’s complete offerings