This workshop is designed to help those who have experience managing pastures for maximum livestock production as well as those just starting a grazing operation in northwestern Illinois. We will discuss management of your toughest weed problems, pasture grass species selection and the basics of animal nutrition of livestock on pasture. The workshop will be held March 11^th at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building in Freeport. Please send reservations to the Stephenson Extension office by March 5^th. There will be an on-farm follow up session tentatively set for July 9^th. Join us at this morning program – you'll gain ideas to use in your operation, plus visit with fellow graziers.

Registration fee is $10 if registered one week in advance. To register or to obtain more information on the workshop, contact Stephenson Extension at 815-235-4125. On-line registration with credit card payment can also be done via the Stephenson Extension website at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu

Have you had problems with weeds in your pond? Are you interested in learning how to stock a pond for great fishing? You don't have a pond, but would like to build one? Don't wait until it is too late, plan to attend the pond construction and management telenet to be held at the Mt. Carroll or Elizabeth Extension Offices on March 26 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your pond in 2008! Topics to be covered include site selection and construction, fish management and aquatic plant control. Handouts will be provided and time will be allowed for questions. University of Illinois Extension Educators presenting the telenet include: Dr. George Czapar, Bob Frazee and Dave Shiley.

Cost for the telenet is $5.00/person. Advance registration is needed. Phone 815-244-9444 to attend in Mt. Carroll or 815-858-2273 to attend in Elizabeth. If you have disability needs, please indicate when registering.

We are pleased to bring you the popular discussion and lecture series, "Take 5 for the Environment" for 2008. This year, the sessions include a variety of speakers with an array of topics that will keep you up-to-date and informed about local environmental issues and conservation practices. The talks are FREE and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged one week in advance to ensure availability of handouts. A donation at the door is encouraged to defray the cost of program materials. Programs run from 1:00– 3:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Community Building. To register, learn more about this event, or find out more about the programs contact the Jo Daviess Extension Office at 815-858-2273.

March 15: Looking at Local Foods

April 12: Ecosystem Services Provided by Birds

May 4: Water Sustainability in the Midwest

March 15:

Environmental Engineer and tour guide Anne Dougherty, Learn Great Foods, will tell you why it is important to eat locally and show you how to find great foods in rural Illinois.

To help landowners understand rural property owner rights and responsibilities as well as to learn about landowner program opportunities, the Northwestern Illinois Land and Farm Preservation Coalition has put together "The Three "R's" of Rural Living". The second session "Bought Some Acreage Now What?" will be held on March 31 at the Holy Cross Church, Stockton , IL. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This program utilizes several guest speakers from a number of area organizations. Topics include knowing your property features and soils, leasing options for cropland, pastures, and buildings, government programs, legal primer on key landowner laws, landowner liability and risk management, and land improvement options.

Registration fee is $25 with a discount available for additional family members if registered one week in advance. To register or to obtain more information on the workshop, contact Jo-Carroll Extension at either 815-858-2273 in Elizabeth or 815-244-9444 in Mt. Carroll. On-line registration with credit card payment can also be done via the Jo-Carroll Unit website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu

Co-products may offer the cattle industry a tremendous opportunity in feed costs without sacrificing performance. Beef producers in Illinois will have the opportunity to attend the rescheduled Beef Cattle Co-Products Seminar that is being offered at two different locations on Wednesday, March 5. Starting at 10:00 a.m., the program is being offered in Aledo, Mercer County, at the American Legion – Post 121 located at 305 North West 7^th Street. Later, starting at 4:45 p.m., the same program will be conducted in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, at the Carroll County Farm Bureau Building located at the northwest corner of the Rt. 78 and Rt. 52/64 intersection.

Topics covered at each seminar include: "Co-Product Plants and Availability"; "Utilizing Co-Products in Cow Herd Diets"; "Using Co-Products in Growing and Backgrounding Diets"; "Storage of Co-Products and Use in Feedlot Diets"; "Value of Co-Products and the Impact on Whole Herd Profitability"; and "Beef Producer Experiences Using Co-Products, Producer Panel. Early registrations received by February 27 for the seminar is $10 that covers the meal along with the handouts. Late and at door registration will be $15. For additional information or a workshop flyer, contact Warren/Henderson/Mercer Extension at 309-582-5106 or Jo-Carroll Extension at 815-244-9444.

Saturday, April 5 • 8:30 a.m.–Noon

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Elizabeth Community Building, U.S. Route 20

(Located next to Highland Community College West, just west of downtown Elizabeth, IL)

Learn about the Eastern Bluebird, how people saved it from near extinction, and how you can attract this "gem of blue" to your yard. There will be free handouts, and bluebird boxes and books for sale.

Co-sponsored by the Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation,

University of Illinois Extension and Wild Birds Unlimited.

For more information about this free workshop, call Jo Daviess County Extension at 815-858-2273 or call Wild Birds Unlimited at 815-777-2883.