Let us help you grow.

Local programs for all

Ask a Master Gardener Find us on Facebook Just for kids!

Events and Highlights

Our volunteers are Awesome!

We applaud and appreciate the volunteers we work with all year! It's time to celebrate all our volunteers throughout Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties. We appreciate your willingness to help us by giving up your time, talents, and knowledge to help Extension be the best it can be for our communities. If you know one of our volunteers, thank them for their efforts and accomplishments!

It was a great NatureFest!

Thank you to all the volunteers and Extension staff who engaged with many families who came to our third annual NatureFest hosted by University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, and the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District! We had a great turnout, with new and old nature family friends. NatureFest is an annual event with multiple hands-on learning activities throughout Russell Woods Forest Preserve in Genoa. We hope to see you next year! Join us for our next event on Saturday, May 11- Mother's Day Flower Walk.

Mother's Day Flower Walk | Saturday, May 20

Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, May 11, Extension staff and volunteers are offering their annual Mother’s Day Flower Walks from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, located one mile west of Genoa on state route 72. The walks leave from the NREC on the hour starting at 10 a.m., and the last walk leaves at 1:00 p.m. Two local botany enthusiasts, Karen Matz and Brian Hale, will lead the flower walks and talk about all that is blooming. Be sure to dress for the weather!

Summer Ag Institue for Teachers | June dates

Teachers: Learn how to incorporate an agriculture curriculum into your classrooms! Registration opens on April 15 for the June farm tours in Carroll & Stephenson counties or Winnebago & Boone counties. The $75 fee includes transportation, lunch, and snacks. The deadline to register is May 23. Contact Melinda Colbert at charbm@illinois.edu or call the Ogle County office at 815-732-2191 for more information.

4-H Summer Camp | Where you belong!

Camp is from June 9 through June 13 at Rock River Christian Camp in Polo. This camp is for all boys and girls ages 8-14 by June 9, 2024 (4-H membership is not required). Camp teaches youth to make good decisions, build their self-confidence, become independent, and gain the ability to work well with others. Daily activities include shooting sports, hiking, arts and crafts, crate stacking, team-building challenges, zip-lining, swimming, and more. Enjoy nightly campfires, a games night, and a dance. Sign up here and get your child in on all the fun!

4-H Spotlight | Boone County

Congratulations to Dakota Schober on being recognized by the Rotary Club of Belvidere as their “Student Volunteer” in recognition of volunteer “Service Above Self.” Dakota was nominated by the previous 4-H Program Coordinator, Melissa Irwin. Dakota was honored and presented her certificate at the Rotary’s breakfast meeting on 4/10.

Events

A largemouth bass hopping out of the water.

May Largemouth Bass Illinois 4-H Hooks Us Together Fishing Tournament

May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024

canning supplies gathered on a stove including glass jars with sauce and a pressure canner

Water Bath and Pressure Canning Basics

May 2, 2024

County

Winnebago

The Importance of Water: Quenching Toddlers’ Thirst Healthily

May 2, 2024

Pressure Canner Dial Testing Clinic

May 2, 2024

County

Winnebago

More Events

News Releases

four girls standing in front of Ogle 4-H sign with ribbons

May 2, 2024

Ogle County 4-H Public Presentations Contest held in March
OREGON, Ill. - This year’s 4-H Public Presentations Contest was held Saturday, March 9, at the Ogle County Farm Bureau. We thank the Polo Lions Club for sponsoring the Public Presentations Award. Ogle County 4-H winners: Top of Class Formal Speech –Beginner (aged 8-13), Shelby...

youth with garden shovels digging in the dirt

May 2, 2024

Ogle County 4-H partners with Byron Forest Preserve to plant an oak tree savanna
BYRON, Ill. – Byron Forest Preserve in Ogle County is now home to an oak tree savanna, thanks to local Ogle County 4-H members and community members. The 25 oak trees, called a savanna, will bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois. The 4-H Green...

Youth teams standing at a crop scouting station discussing plants with a researcher.

May 1, 2024

Illinois crop competition calls for youth scouting teams
The Illinois Youth Crop Scouting Competition is not just any competition. It is a unique opportunity for agriculture students to showcase skills and knowledge while working on a team competing for a prize. The team...

May 1, 2024

Youth test their knowledge of horse health and equine knowledge in state contest
Urbana, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educational programs enhance members’ knowledge...

May 1, 2024

Youth gain self-confidence in horse speaking contest
Urbana, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Horse Speaking contest helps youth gain self-confidence, courage and persuasiveness; share ideas with others; and develop the ability to speak in public to inform others about horse-related subjects and the 4-H Horse project. This year’s contest was held April 13...

More News Releases

Title

Mushroom Farming

Learning and following these best practices of specialty mushroom production and staying informed on current regulations can help avoid bureaucratic headaches, misunderstandings, and barriers to success. This can prevent loss of time, money, and energy, leaving mushroom growers more time to do what they do best: mushroom farming.

Grow Specialty Mushrooms

Programs We Offer