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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Youth demonstrate expert equine knowledge, passion for horses in hippology 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. 4-H’s educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed...
Get your pressure canner dial gauge tested
Canning season is fast approaching! Are you ready? Before using your pressure canner, have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Testing will ensure your pressure canner reaches the appropriate pressure needed to process low-acid foods. Over time, a pressure canner's dial gauge will become...
Ogle County Master Gardener Help Desk is now open
OREGON, Ill. - Illinois Extension of Ogle County opened its Master Gardener Program’s Help Desk on April 1. Master Gardeners will be available in person once a week through September 30.
Master Gardeners research topics and help identify problems and find solutions about...
Mother's Day Flower Walks to take place on May 11
GENOA, Ill. - On Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the day before Mother’s Day, University of Illinois Extension offers guided wildflower walks at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve. Russell Woods is located 1 mile west of Genoa on state...
Celebrating Ogle County 4-H volunteers
OREGON, Ill. - Volunteering has many benefits. It allows an individual to be involved in their community, which can be very helpful if you are new to the area. Volunteering allows for new friendships to be made. It allows an individual to...
Yes! You Can: Preserving Practice—Jams and Jellies
Strawberry season is upon us, and fresh-picked strawberries are great! These sweet berries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. If you have a bumper crop and want to enjoy the delectable tastes of these summer berries year-round, try preserving them. Nothing tastes better than...
Plant positivity, learn how to grow a school or community garden
URBANA, Ill. — When green spaces fill schoolyards and neighborhoods with flowers and fresh produce, children and communities thrive. But the journey from the idea of starting a community or school-based garden to planting one that is built to last is long. What funding sources are available?...
How to dehydrate fruits and vegetables for maximum flavor
Dehydrating food is one of the oldest food preservation methods around. However, safely dehydrating is critical to enjoying dried goods months after harvesting. Whether you want to lighten the weight of your favorite foods for camping and backpacking or preserve fruits and vegetables for later...
Enjoy the silence. Cicadas are coming
If you haven't heard the buzz, you will soon. Billions of periodical cicadas are coming, and University of Illinois Extension is sharing information to help track their moves before emergence.
“Historically speaking, 2024 is a big year for...
Grasses at a Glance blog earns award from national Extension organization
URBANA, Ill. — Grasses are a small and often subtle backbone of many ecosystems, making up nearly 30% of the planet’s land cover. They prevent soil erosion, regulate water flow, and provide food and habitat for wildlife and livestock. But ask someone to identify one grass from another, and you...
Get tools to manage non-native plants and insects at Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
URBANA, Ill. — Spotted lanternflies were found in Illinois for the first time in 2023. Quagga and zebra mussels clog water intake pipes on Lake Michigan, and every spring, invasive Bradford Callery pear trees and amur bush honeysuckle bloom across Illinois communities instead of native...
Get your pressure canner tested for free by Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a great time to take inventory of your canning equipment to prepare for the summer canning season. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, make it a habit to get it tested by Illinois Extension every year.
Various...
Master the art of water bath and pressure canning
Home food preservation continues to be extremely popular, whether due to increased food costs, the desire to know what is going into your food, or because it benefits the environment by reducing one’s carbon footprint. There are many ways to preserve food at home, including freezing, drying,...
Unlock better hearing and discover teleaudiology solutions with Illinois Extension
URBANA, Ill. — Hearing is not merely a sense but serves as a gateway to communication and connection with the world. However, many individuals face challenges with hearing loss, significantly impacting their daily lives. Recognizing this, individuals must educate themselves and understand the...
Six replacement trees for invasive Callery pear
URBANA, Ill. — Now considered an invasive species, Callery pear is a widely used ornamental flowering tree with negative effects on native ecosystems. The tree is still bought, sold, and planted because it has not yet made the...
