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Welcome to Our Website!
Welcome to our website! University of Illinois Extension, Ford-Iroquois Unit is the link between University of Illinois and all of our neighbors and friends in Ford and Iroquois counties. The Extension Office offers practical, research-based information that will enable individuals to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put knowledge to work. Please contact us with questions or to learn more about these educational or leadership opportunities.
Today's Features

Are you still interested in receiving the Ford-Iroquois Extension Line newsletter each month?

If so, you must renew your subscription by calling the Extension office or register at this link.

Please specify if you would like to receive the newsletter in the mail or be notified electronically when the newest issue is posted. Thank you!

The excessive heat is a dangerous situation for people and animals. Follow these important safety tips:

1. Drink plenty of non-caffeinated, no-alcoholic beverages.

2. If one is working outdoors or in a non-air conditioned space, frequent breaks, preferably in a cool area are a necessity.

3. Check on invalids and the elderly, especially if they have no air conditioning and/or are reluctant to open their windows.

4. NEVER leave children or pets in a car, even for a short period of time.

5. Provide animals with plenty of water, shade and ventilation. Use best practices in determining feed rations.

White-tail deer are a common sight in Illinois. A new website has been created to help you understand more about them.

Don't let ticks ruin your summer. What can you do to protect yourself and your family from harmful illness.

Are you interested in tips for having safe, drug-free parties for fifth through eighth graders?

Are you an area grain farmer looking for a new way to support 4-H in Ford and Iroquois County?

Ford-Iroquois 4-H & Extension Foundation invites you to join them in support of local 4-H programs through

FARMERS FUNDING 4-H

Experience "The Miracle of Fall" featuring a live foliage camera featuring fall colors at various locations. In addition, visitors will find information on dates and locations of fall festivals and events for the best fall colors.

Fall is upon us and with the season, our thoughts turn to pumpkins. "Pumpkins & More" provides a wealth of information about pumpkins including their history, varieties, pumpkin farm locations, plus recipes and dates for pumpkin festivals.

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. Spend some quality family time this month to make sure your family is prepared BEFORE a disaster strikes.

"Apples & More" is the place to visit for information on apple varieties, nutritional facts, plus recipes and a listing of apple-related events in the four state area.

Are you a 4-H alumni? The Ford-Iroquois 4-H Alumni Association invites you to register.

As the new school year begins, University of Illinois Extension has launched a website to help parents and children make the most of the opportunities ahead. "Helping Children Succeed in School" covers a wide range of information to achieve the goal of the website's name

Farm Leases

Cash rent leases http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal/Farmdoc_Form_CL01_0912.pdf and Crop Share leases http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal/Farmdoc_Form_CSL01_0911.pdf are available through these links to Farmdoc.uiuc.edu

Questions? Contact Aimee Chandler, Ag Program Coordinator at alchandl@illinois.edu

Reliable Gardening Websites at Your Fingertips

Looking for some reliable gardening tips? Here are some to get you started:

Lawn Talk http://urbanext.illinois.edu/lawntalk/

Wildflowers http://urbanext.illinois.edu/wildflowers/

2009 Annuals Evaluation Garden http://urbanext.illinois.edu/trialgarden/about.cfm

Herb Gardening http://urbanext.illinois.edu/herbs/

A Taste of Gardening http://urbanext.illinois.edu/tog/planning.cfm

Questions? Contact Karen S. Moore, County Extension Director at ksmoore@illinois.edu

Severe Weather Tips
Severe storms affect Illinois residents no matter what season of the year. Learn more about emergency preparedness by visiting this website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/severe.html

Questions? Contact Karen S. Moore, County Extension Director at ksmoore@illinois.edu

NEW! Machinery Cost Estimates

New Machinery Cost Estimates (updated April 2010) are available on the FarmDoc website:

http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/manage/index.asp#costs

2010 Iowa Custom Rates

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/FM1698.pdf

Questions? Contact Aimee Chandler, Ag Program Coordinator at alchandl@illinois.edu

Ford/Iroquois Extension Program Areas

Click on an area to learn more about our programs and resources.

4-H and YouthAgriculture & Natural ResourcesChildren, Families & SeniorsCommunity & Economic Development
Horticulture & EnvironmentJust for KidsJust for TeachersMoney Management
Nutrition & HealthSchools Online

Quick Links
Ford/Iroquois Unit Extension Meetings

Extension Line
12/7/09

Ford-Iroquois 4-H Expansion & Review Committee
3/15/10

Ford-Iroquois Unit Council
5/6/10

Ford-Iroquois Unit Council
6/3/10

Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation
6/21/10

Ford-Iroquois Master Gardeners
6/29/10

Ford-Iroquois Master Gardeners
8/24/10

Ford-Irouqois Unit Council
9/2/10

HCE Lesson: Violence Across the Life Span
9/15/10

HCE Lesson: Tough Topics
10/12/10

HCE Lesson: Save Smart Spend Smart
1/25/11

HCE Lesson: Hanging Gardens
2/8/11

HCE Lesson: Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, New Credit Law
3/10/11

HCE Lesson: Going Green
4/5/11

HCE Lesson: Celebrations and Memories
5/10/11

View archived meetings >>

Extension Council
Extension councils serve in an advisory role cooperating with Extension staff to provide educational programs to the public. Learn more about the Ford/Iroquois Unit Extension Council.
Social Media
Fan Us on Facebook
Program Registrations

Basic Vermicomposting Teleconference
Register by September 8, 2010

4-SEASONS Gardening Telenet series
Register by November 16, 2010

Ford-Iroquois 4-H Alumni Association
Register by December 31, 2010

Local Government Education Telenet Series
Register by April 21, 2011

Ford-Iroquois Extension Line newsletter - electronic notification
Register by December 31, 2012

Upcoming Events

Ford-Iroquois Unit Council
Onarga, Illinois (Iroquois County)
September 2, 2010

Basic Vermicomposting
Onarga, Illinois (Iroquois County)
September 9, 2010

Ford-Iroquois Master Gardener meeting
Onarga, Illinois (Iroquois County)
September 21, 2010

Full event calendar >>

Online Forms & Surveys

2010 Walk Around Ford and Iroquois Counties Challenge - July results

2010 Walk Around Ford and Iroquois Counties Challenge - June results

2010 Walk Around Ford and Iroquois County Challenge - May results

AITC Usage

News & Updates
Federation Teen Talk Blog
Want to know what is happening with Federation, check out this blog for the latest information.
Ag Literacy Lines Blog
A blog featuring fun information on agriculture for youth and adults.

News Releases

Diabetes Life Lines
Current diabetes research.
The Farm Gate
Where farm decision-makers start their day.
Working Families
News and ideas for families with working parents.
Ford-Iroquois Extension Line
News from Ford-Iroquois Extension.
Podcasts
Illini Pet Pod

Illini Pet Pod

The latest news about pet care and humane education
Commodity Week

Commodity Week

Weekly agriculture news, analysis, prices, and weather from WILL AM 580
Illini Farm Report

Illini Farm Report

News for and about Illinois farms from University of Illinois Extension
Closing Market Report

Closing Market Report

A daily review of farm and agriculture markets in the Midwest
Challenges at the Supermarket

Challenges at the Supermarket

Topics in basic nutrition and food buying
DairyNet Podcast

DairyNet Podcast

News and information for dairy producers, educators, and consumers
Spotlight on Natural Resources

Spotlight on Natural Resources

Current topics in Illinois natural resources
Gardener's Corner

Gardener's Corner

Gardening Tips and Techniques from University of Illinois Extension
Contact Us

Ford/Iroquois Unit
912 W Seminary Ave
P.O. Box 163
Onarga, IL 60955-0163
Phone: 815-268-4051
FAX: 815-268-4058
Email Us

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