Registration for the Saturday, March 20 LOCAL FOODS CONFERENCE at the U of I College of Medicine at Rockford campus is now closed. Walk-in registrations are welcome at 8:30 a.m., and the $20 fee includes keynote speaker presentation by Terra Brockman, 3 educational break-out sessions, and light snacks featuring local foods. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us on Saturday, March 27 for a SOIL FERTILITY WORKSHOP with Extension Educator, Jim Morrison. Learn what soil is comprised of and how to interpret soil test results.

U of I Extension is assessing the COMMUNITY GARDENS in our county, and has created a survey to gather more information. Click below to take the quick online survey.

To learn more about COMMUNITY GARDENING, visit our program page at http:(coming soon) or call the Extension office at 815-986-4357.

If you are interested in attending or participating in our Spring 2010 OPENFIELDS FARM TOUR, contact our Local Foods Coordinator, Andy Hazzard, for details.

Interested in our MASTER NATURALIST training program? We are now taking applications for the Summer/Fall 2010 training session. Click below for more information and to apply online.

It's been a Winter Wonderland this season causing many to wonder if de-icing products harm the plants in one's yard. Click below to read the U of I Extension News Release "SALT CAN INJURE LANDSCAPE PLANTS."

The 2010 LOCAL FOODS DIRECTORY FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS is available online, which includes producers, businesses, CSAs, and Farmers Markets that sell products grown, raised, and/or created locally by farmers and families. Click "learn more" below for the pdf file - simply open file, then print or save.