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University of Illinois Extension serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties

Main Office (Stephenson County)
Highland Community College, Bldg R
2998 W Pearl City Rd
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-235-4125
FAX: 815-232-9006
Email:uie-jsw@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm

Branch Office (Jo Daviess County)
204 Vine, PO Box 600
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Phone: 815-858-2273
FAX: 815-858-2274

Branch Office (Winnebago County)
1040 North Second Street
Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: 815-986-4357
FAX: 815-986-4329
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Discover Extension

Welcome!

Extending Knowledge–Changing Lives. Thank you for visiting our website. University of Illinois Extension is the link between the University and all of our friends and neighbors in JoDaviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. Extension staff provide practical education you can trust that help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. Please contact us at the local Extension office with questions or to learn more about these educational or leadership opportunities. We also encourage you to add our site to your favorites list.

Today's Features

Visit your local FARMERS MARKET this season. Click below for a listing from our LOCAL FOODS DIRECTORY of markets in Northern Illinois, including those in Rockford, Winnebago, Belvidere, Beloit and Byron.

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Ever wonder WHAT LOCAL FOODS ARE IN SEASON? Click below for a list of fruits and vegetables, season by season, that are grown locally.

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HAVE GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE QUESTIONS? Call our MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE starting May through early autumn 2013. U of I Extension Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions... and there is NO COST for this service. Call JO DAVIESS COUNTY at 815-858-2273 (M & W, 10am-Noon), STEPHENSON COUNTY at 815-235-4125 (M-F, 9-11am), and WINNEBAGO COUNTY at 815-986-4357(M-F, 9am-Noon & 1-4pm). We look forward to assisting you! And want to learn more about the Master Gardener Training Program? Check "Explore Local Programs" at the top right of this page... or call your county Extension office.

Check out our upcoming LOCAL FOODS PROGRAMS in JO DAVIESS COUNTY this month, including a Farmers Market Vendor Marketing Workshop, Local Foods 101, and Planting Production Workshop. Click below for FLYER.

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LOCAL FOODS 101 will be presented on Monday, May 20 from 6-7 pm at East Dubuque Public Library and on Friday, May 31 from 10-11 am at Galena Public Library. Come learn more about the new terminology used to describe parts of the local food system, where to find "local food" and what might constitute local food in NW Illinois. For more information click below.

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Are you interested in maximizing your vegetable production in a limited space? Would you like to use planting strategies and beneficial insects as a pest management tool? Have you heard of "companion planting"? On WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND, Jo Daviess County will be offering a "COMPANION AND SUCCESSION PLANTING FOR OPTIMAL PRODUCTION". Click below for more information.

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VERMI-COMPOSTING WORKSHOP to be held at Stockton Township Library on Wednesday, May 29th from 6-7:30 p.m. Learn about the process of using worms and micro-organisms to turn kitchen waste into a black, earthy-smelling, nutrient-rich humus. Click below for more information.

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Wet weather and cool temperatures in Illinois have caused planting delays, which may affect corn crops. Read the recent U of I Extension press release for more information.

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PQA - If you still need to take your Pork Quality Assurance class, please register by clicking on link on right side of this page. There are 2 classes yet in Stephenson Co. for this on May 29th & June 17th, and one class in Jo Daviess County on June 5th.

Check out the latest agriculture blog, THE NORTH 160 ACRES, by RUSS HIGGINS, Extension Educator, Commercial Agriculture, from the Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center in Shabbona. Read about the latest crop progress report and the effects of the recent rainfall for Illinois farmers. For the entire blog, click below.

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Attend one of our EMERALD ASH BORER HOMEOWNER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS scheduled in Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties in May and June. TO REGISTER or for more information, click below. (The program in Winnebago County has been postponed. Call 815-986-4357 for future date.)

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What's happening in WINNEBAGO COUNTY? Check out our Spring 2013 FLYER for upcoming educational, informative and FUN programs and events. Click below to view, download and print.

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Stephenson County Upcoming Programs and Events flyer! See all the latest fun, educational and informative programs and events we are hosting for your whole family to enjoy! Just click below.

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Join us for the 28th Annual Stephenson County Ag Breakfast on Saturday, June 22nd, 2013. The menu features beef bacon, pork sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, coffee cake, milk, and ice cream; serving from 6 am until 10 am at the Stephenson Co. Fairgrounds, Freeport,IL. See ad below for more details.

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**Scholarship News** The R. C. Miller Scholarship is now available to Stephenson County residents who meet the full time eligibility requirements studying an ag degree program at a 2 or 4 year college or university. Deadline to apply is June 28, 2013. Please see link below for the application and details or call the Ext. office.

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INTERESTED IN STARTING A SCHOOL GARDEN? Check out the recent PODCASTS from Extension Educator CANDICE MILLER. Learn about the Illinois Farm to School program, as well as starting, growing and maintaining a school garden.

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EXTENDING KNOWLEDGE, Changing Lives. U of I Extension has available to you a collection of 20+ recorded SMALL FARM WEBINARS that can be accessed at any time at NO COST. These webinars are presented by U of I Extension educators, and topics range from INSECT MANAGEMENT to HIGH TUNNELS... SEED SAVING to SOIL SCIENCE. Click below to view, access and download.

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The new 4-H year is off and running. If you are interested in joining a club in your community, contact one of the following Extension Offices: Jo Daviess County - (815) 858-2273; Stephenson County - (815) 235-4125; Winnebago County - (815) 986-4357.

COMING IN JUNE... the 2013 LOCAL FOODS DIRECTORY FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS, which includes 90+ local farms, area farmers markets, and businesses supporting local foods. Check back to download and print a copy.

Information and Resources for You

4-H Youth Development Commercial Agriculture Environment and Energy Stewardship Horticulture Local Food Systems and Small Farms

Extension Meetings