University of Illinois Extension offers a large and varied list of classes, webinars, conferences, and workshops, beginning in February during the Winter 2021 session. Visit the U of I Extension departments via email at uie-clw@illinois.edu. See this website for information and programs: go.illinois.edu/clw. The Whitesdie County Extension Office is at 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling, IL 61081. Phone 815-632-3611 for information about these 27 events.
Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program, through Spring 2021 | On Demand At Home
All University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) training and testing is online through spring 2021. Online, on-demand training courses allow participants to complete the training on their own schedule and at their own pace. Courses, taught by PSEP specialists, are engaging and provide exam-preparation questions throughout. Participants may purchase printed, self-study, training publications for each license category at Pubs Plus. The workbooks align with the manuals and provide sample questions. Register online at: https://extension.illinois.edu/psep.
CropFlix: Crop Management Conference, February 1-28 | Watch on Demand At Home
CropFlix is binge-worthy content for corn and soybean producers. Choose topics that interest you, and watch on demand throughout February, on our new Extension Module learning platform. We have doubled the number of offerings, with a variety of research updates, recommendations for best practices, climate projections, and more. Participants will have access to two live virtual Town Hall meetings, to ask questions and engage with presenters. Participants may earn more than ten Certified Crop Advisor CEUs. Cost is $50. Register at https://extension.illinois.edu/global/cropflix-2021-crop-management-conference.
Wits Fitness Online, monthly starting February 22 | 10:00 -11:00 a.m. – At Home
Keep your brain fit and healthy from the comfort of home. Current research indicates that challenging the brain is one of several things you can do to contribute to your own brain health as you age. Challenging activities is one way to train your brain and keep your wits fit. Each virtual class is free and open to the public. Registration is required to receive log on instructions. Participants may sign up by phone (815-632-3611) and may join the class at any time. Register online at: go.illinois.edu/witsfitnessonline.
Midwest Cover Crops Council Virtual Conference, February 23-25 | 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. – At Home
Emerging research on cover crops’ impact on soil health provide new best practices for grain and oil seed producers, vegetable growers, and livestock farmers. The Midwest Cover Crops Council will provide practical recommendations at its virtual annual conference, February 23 to 25. U of I Extension joins 12 other Land Grant Universities in this alliance, to further knowledge on soil health and productivity. Learn more and register at https://www.ineventors.com/mccc21. Cost is $35 and allows access to ten live discussions, plus anytime access to the recordings for 30 days following the conference.
Find Your Spark With 4-H, February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – At Home
Youth will find their spark and explore the 4-H program during a six-week series of hands-on activities, offered by University of Illinois Extension. Sessions will be online and will begin at 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays, February 23 to March 30. Register by calling Whiteside County Extension Office at 815-632-3611. The supply fee is $5 for all six sessions; youth ages 8-12 may attend one or more sessions. Supply kits will be mailed prior to each session.
Northwest Illinois Agronomy Virtual Summit, February 23, 25, March 2, 4, 9, 11 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – At Home
Extension continues the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit, via a shift to a virtual platform. This live series will consist of weekly sessions that provide valuable updates for Midwestern corn and soybean producers, while allowing them to ask questions and discuss with the experts. The cost is $5 per session or access to all sessions for $20. Pre-registration is required at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=22948.
Let’s Talk Money Webinar Series, February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – At Home
Extension Consumer Economics professionals will provide sound financial education, which will lead you to make more informed choices. Webinar participation is free, but registration is required. Register for any or all of the sessions held on Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Details about accessing the webinars will be provided after registration. Register online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1060860889.
Small Farm Winter Webinar Series, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 | noon – 1:00 p.m. – At Home
The Extension presents a weekly educational series for the small farm community. Online presentations give small farm producers a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve profitability and sustainability. A complete list of topics and speakers is included on the registration site. Webinars will be held from noon – 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays and are free. Register at go.illinois.edu/SFWW.
Happy Healthy Providers Webinar Series, February 25, March 4, 11 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – At Home
Children of all ages need positive reinforcement and role models who can successfully demonstrate and support healthy mental, physical, and social behaviors. Happy Healthy Providers is a five-part online series offered by University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed and Family Life educators. It provides K-12 teachers and childcare professionals an opportunity for Continuing Education while learning how to help children build those healthy habits. Online registration is required for the free sessions, and early registration is strongly encouraged as participation may be limited. Register at go.illinois.edu/HappyHealthy.
Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference, February 25, 26 | 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. – At Home
University of Illinois Extension will host the 25th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in February. This conference attracts commercial vegetable and fruit growers from farms in Illinois and Wisconsin, all of whom sell to small and/or wholesale markets. The conference will provide updated production-related information from Extension specialists at the University of Illinois. This conference will be delivered via the Zoom platform. Because of the breadth of content, it will be held over multiple dates. The cost for the entire program (Thursday and Friday sessions) is $20. Participants may also register just for Thursday sessions ($10) or Friday sessions ($15.) Register online at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=22871.
Health at Home Webinar Series, February 25, March 4, 11 | 11:00 a.m. – At Home
Illinois Extension is offering a four-week webinar series, Health at Home: Healthy Eats for a Healthy Beat, at no cost. Each 30-minute class will explore key nutrients for improving heart health. It will be followed by a live food demonstration showing how to prepare a heart-healthy meal. The classes are held at 11:00 a.m. each Thursday, beginning February 18 and running through March 11. Following each webinar, there will be a ten minute Q & A session. Register at go.illinois.edu/healthybeats.
Wits Fitness, Monthly Workshop, February 25, March 25 |10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Whiteside Extension Office
Join University of Illinois Extension Educator Karla Belzer each month, as she leads participants through interactive activities, designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. We will offer this program at the Whitesdie County Extension Office, 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling, IL. Participants are welcome to join at any time. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be followed. Register online at go.illinois.edu/witsfitness.
4-H Rabbit Workshop, February 27 | 1:00 p.m. – Lee County 4-H Center, Amboy, IL
At the Lee County 4-H Center, 280 W. Wasson Road, Amboy, IL 61310, on Tuesday, February 27, at 1:00 p.m., you will meet new rabbits. Meet and learn from the people who breed and show these unique rabbits. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and class size is limited. Register online by February 22 at go.illinois.edu/LeeRabbit.
Childcare University Virtual Conference, March 2, 4 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. and March 6 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Child Care University supports child care practitioners in providing quality child care and advancing professional skills. Join a virtual conference to learn and share ideas to enrich the quality of care you provide to the children and families in your programs. Register online at go.illinois.edu/childcareu.
Northwest Illinois Grazing Virtual Conference, March 3, 10, 17, 24 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – At Home
The theme for the conference is “Reinvigorating Pastures and Expanding Grazing.” The conference will be held virtually via the Zoom platform over four consecutive Wednesday evenings in March, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a $15 fee for all four sessions or $5 per session Pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate. To register or for more information visit go.illinois.edu/jsw or call 815-858-2273.
Certified Livestock Managers Training, March 4 | 9:00 a.m. – At Home
The Illinois Department of Agriculture and U of I Extension host the Certified Livestock Manager Online Training and Webinars for 2021. It is the 25th year IDOA has provided training to producers. There will be two training options: new, online training and four webinars (virtual workshops.) Both will provide livestock producers the Manure Management training they need, to meet the requirements of the State’s Livestock Management Facilities Act. Pre-registration is required ($40) at go.illinois.edu/CLMT.
Wits Fitness, Monthly Workshop,March 4, April 1 | 10:30 a.m.- noon – York Township Public Library, Thomson, IL
Extension Educator Karla Belzer leads participants through interactive activities, designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. We will offer this program at the Thomson Public Library. New participants are welcome to join at any time. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be followed. Register online at go.illinois.edu/witsfitness2.
4-H World of Work Virtual Series, March 4, 11, 18 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – At Home
During the World of Work online workshop, youth 13 and older are invited to join us, March 4, 11, and 18 on Zoom. During the training, youth will receive help on how to build a resume, prepare for an interview, and have the chance to participate in a virtual mock interview. Register online at go.illinois.edu/WorldOfWork.
Wee Naturalist, March 6 | Monthly Video Viewing – At Home
University of Illinois Extension offers the Wee Naturalist Series, where nature-loving children ages 4-to-7, families, and educators explore a different nature theme monthly, until May 2021, through provided lessons and videos. Register online at go.illinois.edu/WeeNaturalist for one or all of the sessions. The cost to participate is $5 for a household or classroom per month. The pre-recorded, hour-long program will be available the first Saturday of the month and can be accessed and viewed any time after. Monthly topics are Spring has Sprung, March 6; Earth Gifts, April 3; Roots Slurp, May 1.
Four Seasons Horticulture Webinar Series, March 9 | 1:30 p.m. – At Home
The Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series is one of the most popular horticulture programs offered by the Illinois Extension Horticulture Team. Each season, the team hosts live webinars delivered via Zoom. This season’s final topic is Adaptive Gardening on March 9. Registration is required at go.illinois.edu/fourseasons.
Everyday Environment Webinar Series, March 11 | 1:00 p.m. – At Home
Join our monthly sessions on environmental topics presented by University of Illinois Extension’s Energy and Environmental Stewardship Team. Webinars will provide new information on natural resources and help you learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to have a positive impact on the environment. From lawn care, native plants, and managing home waste to understanding coyote behavior and atmospheric optics, there is never a shortage of new things to learn about your everyday environment. Register at go.illinois.edu/everydayenvironmentwebinars.
Share Your Life Story, March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – York Township Public Library, Thomson, IL
Do you have treasured memories from your past you would like to record? Have you written down the special moments of your life to share with your family? The University of Illinois Extension is pleased to offer the “Share Your Life Story” writing series, beginning March 17 at the Thomson Public Library. This series is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required by calling 815-259-2480 or online at go.illinois.edu/lifestory2. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be followed.
Backpack Sewing SPIN Club, March 18, 25, and April 1 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Whiteside Extension Office, 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling, IL 61081
Youth ages eight and up will have the opportunity to learn a lifelong skill at University of Illinois Extension’s backpack sewing class, starting in March. A three-session SPIN Club runs March 18, 25, and April 1, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Whiteside Extension Office in Sterling. There is a $10 fee to attend, and pre-registration is required due to limited spaces. Register at go.illinois.edu/WhitesideSewing or call 815-632-3611. For a fun and safe experience, we will follow health and safety guidelines including face masks, hand washing, and social distancing.
Lessons for Living Monthly Webinar Series, March 23 | 2:00 p.m. – At Home
Lessons for Living are monthly workshops which provide easy-to-understand tips for living full, rich lives. The free online webinars, taught by University of Illinois Extension educators, are extended at no cost to the public, in collaboration with Illinois Home and Community Education units throughout the State. Register at go.illinois.edu/2021HCElessons. March 23 webinar will be Building Resiliency in Yourself and Your Organization.
Keys for Embracing Aging Webinar Series, Thursdays, March 25 – April 29 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – At Home
Keys for Embracing Aging is a free 12-part series by University of Illinois Extension designed to help aging adults develop strategies for taking care of themselves through the years. Attend all 12 sessions, or simply drop in on the sessions that fit your schedule. Sessions will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST online via Zoom. Register online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1406318960.
Rural Pond Management Webinar, March 30 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.- At Home
Duane Friend and Jay Solomon, Illinois Extension Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educators, will discuss fish stocking, weed management, and fish kills, as well as how to build and maintain ponds. This is a free event, but pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate. To register or for more information visit go.illinois.edu/farmpond.