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Events and Highlights

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Let's Walk | Belvidere | April 28 through June 20

Join us for a refreshing stroll at Prairie Fields Sports Park in Belvidere. Meet at the playground. Discover the countless benefits of walking for adults of all ages. Whether aiming to boost cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and bones, or manage your weight, walking offers a simple yet effective solution. This free walking program is for beginners of all abilities and fitness levels. Mondays and Fridays at 5 PM, April 28 through June 20 (except May 26, Memorial Day). Register here.
someone holding a loaf of homemade bread

Cottage Food Sellers | Illinois requirements

Whether for a hobby or as a career, selling food grown or made in your home carries endless possibilities for enjoyment and profit. It also carries substantial responsibilities for the public's safety who purchase and consume your food products. Major changes took effect January 1, 2022 in the Cottage Food Operation Law's Home-to-Market Act. Illinois Extension is your guide to operating within the new regulations. Outshine the rest and grow your home-based business. Check it out here.

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Food Preservation

Preserving food at home lets us enjoy homegrown, locally purchased, or seasonal foods throughout the year. Safe food preservation methods stop or slow the natural spoilage process to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria while preserving the nutritional value, taste, color, and texture of some of our favorite foods. These processes can help make the most of a bountiful harvest, provide individuals and families with access to seasonal food in off-seasons, support local producers, and prevent excess food from going to landfills. Learn more here.

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Collect. Submit. Get results. Contribute to research!

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URGENT: Be part of the solution

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Help collect ticks from humans, pets, and livestock in your area. We are studying the movement of ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their impact. Your contribution provides vital data to enhance our understanding of ticks and disease prevention, helping to protect humans, pets, and livestock. Ticks are on the move, increasing the risk of diseases such as Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome in humans, as well as Anaplasmosis in livestock.

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For more information, contact Teresa Steckler at (618) 695-4917 or email tsteckle@illinois.edu
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THANK YOU | Ogle County 4-H Food Drive

The Ogle County 4-H Food Drive for National 4-H Day of Service was a huge success. The Mini Food Center by Conover Square in Oregon is filled to the brim with food for anyone in need. This Mini Food Center is open to the public 24/7. Thank you to the Ogle County Health Department for coordinating the Mini Food Centers in our surrounding area. And thank you to all of YOU who donated during this event!

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Farmers: receive free mental healthcare

The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program connects agricultural producers and their families with local mental health professionals. This program would enable producers to seek mental health services at no cost to the producer and their family. From this program, we hope to broaden mental health access for agricultural producers and their families. Request a voucher here.

News Releases
A woman and a girl playing with bubbles
Discover reliable health insights in the Summer Self-Care series
URBANA, Ill. — Technology has improved access to health information, but the spread of misinformation online poses serious risks. To address this, researchers, educators, and communities must work together to ensure people get accurate, evidence-based guidance.The ...
Growing figs on a plant stem
Go figure, figs are a great addition to home gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Sometimes growers just want to try something new in their garden. How about an ancient fruit with edible leaves? How about figs? For many years, growing figs was relegated to warmer regions, but with the combination of the warming climate and the development of cold-hardy fig...

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