News Releases

beef cows on grass pasture
Pasture Management: Recovering from 2023
“Pasture Management: Recovering from 2023,” hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, will focus on recovering from the 2023 growing season drought and short forage supply in three evening sessions.  The sessions are intended to build upon each other by looking at options and...
frozen vegetables in freezer
How to freeze produce for maximum freshness
Spring is right around the corner, and summer gardens will be bursting with produce in no time. You can enjoy your summer flavors year-round by preserving your fresh produce now. Home food preservation continues to be a favorite by many. And by knowing and understanding a few basics, you can...
Tri-State Logo
Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference to be held in Freeport
Make plans to attend the Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference scheduled for March 2, 2024, in Freeport, Illinois, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference is designed specifically for forest landowners in the Midwest, but forestry professionals, consultants, volunteers, Master...
lady in kitchen with mixing bowl and food in measuring cups
Extension to offer healthy cooking at home series
Whether you live alone or with a family, more and more people are looking for money-saving tips to help stretch their hard-earned money. In fact, many consumers are making or have already made significant lifestyle changes to navigate the ever-changing economic challenges we have faced over the...
lady in purple dress using an air fryer in her kitchen with food prepped in front of it
Air Frying 101
Did you recently receive or purchase an air fryer? Are you wondering what to do with it? Or are you contemplating investing in one? Perhaps you are curious if it will be as easy to use as they say it will but haven’t taken it out of its box yet. If you answered yes to these questions, consider...
boy doing a macrame craft project
DOING, THINKING, CREATING & FUN awaits kids at 4-H SUPER SATURDAY
University of Illinois Extension is hosting its annual 4-H Super Saturday on Saturday, February 24 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St. Freeport, IL . Super Saturday is a 3-hour event designed to give area youth ages 5 to 18 a chance to explore the many...
child's gardening tools on a light blue background
Calling all Cloverbuds! | Join the Little Roots Gardening Program
We are excited to offer our Cloverbud-aged kids their very own special program again- Little Roots!  Registration closes March 1st and pick up (and activity) is May 6th.  This is a work-at-home program with some added bonus days if you are available- you do not have to attend the extra...
line drawing of a flower
Register now for the Annual Joys of Gardening
Mark your calendars for the 26th annual Joys of Gardening program offered by the University of Illinois Extension and the U of I Extension Master Gardeners.  Slated for Saturday, February 24, at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport,...
ladies serving cake at a bazaar
Serve It Safely: Food Handlers Course
Selling and serving food remains a popular fundraising activity for many community groups. If you belong to a service club, church group, youth group, special interest club, or any non-profit organization, chances are good that you sell food. Any time your group sells food, it is essential to...
4 photos of food prep in a certified kitchen
Become a Certified Food Protection Manager
Do you currently have a position handling food, or are you looking for a job in the food industry? If so, consider becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires retail food establishment managers to obtain an American National Standards...
 Fun Day participants during our martial arts demonstration in 2023.  We appreciate Tki Martial Arts for their continued support to positive youth development!
Come Experience Winnebago County 4-H Fun Day!
University of Illinois Extension is hosting its annual Winnebago County 4-H Fun Day on Saturday, March 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Church in Rockton. 4-H Fun Day is a 3-hour event designed to give area youth ages 8 to 18 a chance to explore the many project areas available...
corn with a sunrise
Farm Forward: Turning Last Season’s Challenges Into Next Season’s Triumphs
Join University of Illinois Extension Crop Sciences Educator Kathryn Seebruck for the first year of her series “Farm Forward: Turning Last Season’s Challenges Into Next Season’s Triumphs”. This monthly series aims to address the needs of row crop producers and will be rotated between Jo Daviess...
two teens at summer camp
Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp – Change Your Child’s Life!
Registration for the Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp 2024 is now open! The camp will be held from June 9-13, 2024, at Rock River Christian Camp, Polo, IL. This five-day, four-night residential camping experience is conducted cooperatively by University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone,...
campfire and 4-H logo on gray background
Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp – Change Your Child’s Life!
Registration for 4-H Camp 2024 is open!  4-H Camp is set for June 9-13, 2024, 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...
a flooded field
Weather a changing climate on the farm now and in the future
The only thing certain about modern farming is that things are always changing, and today’s weather isn’t your grandparents’ weather. Growing seasons are shifting, and extreme weather events like storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more common. The University of Illinois...
corn field in front with strip planting in background of rolling hills and some woodlands
Soil Health to be discussed at Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit
Is building soil health while maintaining crop yields possible in Northern Climates? Over the past five years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been exploring the possibilities of incorporating reduced tillage and winter rye into corn and soybean crop rotations. This work has proven very...
footprints, berries on stem and snowflakes
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 27, 2024. Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales will be held at the Torstenson’s...