Events and Highlights
Let's Walk | Belvidere | April 28 through June 20
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.
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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URGENT: Be part of the solution
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.
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!
Homegrown Healthy | 10-week program | Rochelle
Learn how to grow a garden, get an introduction to hydroponics, which is growing plants without soil, using a nutrient-rich water solution, and try foods made with garden produce. This program series is free, and you must commit to all sessions. We invite families and individuals to this free series. Register here now! The CDC ACTion Grant provides funding for this program. Register here by May 24.
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.
We are hiring!
Seeking a 4-H Youth Development Educator for Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties. Master's Degree required; livestock experience helpful. This is a full-time position and is benefit-eligible, including health, vision, and dental insurance. Call the Ogle County Extension office at 815-732-2191 with questions and to get a link to the application. Deadline: May 28 at 6 PM. EEO Employer
Camp Russell | Genoa
Camps fill quickly and space is limited, so register your child today! Choose from four weeklong programs, each with a different theme. The camp will run from 9 am to 3 pm each day at the Natural Resource Education Center inside Russell Woods Forest Preserve. Children will have fun learning about nature through hands‐on activities, games, and nature awareness. For more information on registering your child, call 815-758-8194. For information about the camp, call 815-784-2000.
Tree Health
Homegrown Healthy | Dixon
Homegrown Healthy | Morrison
4-H Clubs
Agriculture
Community and Government
Explore Youth Programs
Food Access
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalists
Natural Resource Education Center
School and Community Programs
Youth Camps