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Events and Highlights

Let's Walk | Belvidere | April 28 through June 20

Join us for a refreshing stroll at Prairie Fields Sports Park in Belvidere. Meet at the playground. Discover the countless benefits of walking for adults of all ages. Whether aiming to boost cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and bones, or manage your weight, walking offers a simple yet effective solution. This free walking program is for beginners of all abilities and fitness levels. Mondays and Fridays at 5 PM, April 28 through June 20 (except May 26, Memorial Day). Register here.

NatureFest | April 26 | Genoa

NatureFest is on Sat., April 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, located one mile west of Genoa on state route 72. NatureFest focuses on families with elementary-aged children, but everyone is welcome! Extension staff and Master Naturalist volunteers work together to present multiple hands-on learning activities throughout the forest. Hosted by Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, and the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District. Check back for more information.

Summer Nature Day Camp | Register Now! | Genoa

Camps fill quickly and space is limited- 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. Children will have fun learning about nature through hands‐on activities, games, and nature awareness.

Donations benefit the Mini Food Center in Oregon

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Food Drive | Ogle County 4-H | Through May 1

Help the Ogle County 4-H clubs collect food donations to put inside the local Mini Food Mart in Oregon. We have extended the 4-H National Day of Service, which encourages 4-H members and clubs to dedicate their time and energy to community service projects on April 26th, to last two weeks! We are helping families in need in our community. This is a collaboration with the Ogle County Health Department who will distribute the items collected. Please drop your donations off at the Ogle County Extension office, 421 W Pines Rd in Oregon, Monday-Friday, from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Thank you for your support! If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this food drive or have questions, call our office at 815-732-2191.

Donate today

Watershed 101 | April 30 | Belvidere

What is a watershed? Why should you care? A watershed provides the community with fresh drinking water, recreational opportunities, and other vital resources. Extension Watershed Outreach Associate Nicole Haverback will lead a discussion on how communities in and around Boone County can take care of the water we interact with daily and the importance of watersheds. Registration is required by April 28. There is a $5 program fee.

Flavors of the Past: A Culinary Journey Through Time | DeKalb County | April 24

Travel back in time through taste. Join the DeKalb County History Center at 2 pm or Kirkland Historical Society at 5 pm for an immersive exploration. Perfect for history buffs, food enthusiasts, and families. Dive into the rich tapestry of culinary history at our upcoming event, where food, culture, and history intertwine. This program features a fascinating collection of historical cookbooks and recipe manuscripts, including a 17th-century English cookbook and a 1920s Mexican culinary student’s compilation. Presented as part of the award-winning exhibit, "Food: Gathering Around the Table," hosted in collaboration with the Smithsonian and in partnership with the University of Illinois Library’s Rare Book Department.

4-H Summer Camp | Registration is open

We are excited that 4-H Camp Registration is Open! BOYS' spots are still open. We will again be attending Rock River Christian Camp in Polo, Illinois. Camp is open to all youth ages 8-14 by June 8. You do not have to be in 4-H to attend. The dates are Sunday, June 8 - Thursday, June 12, 2025. Call 815-732-2191 with questions.

Home vegetable gardening

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When to plant

Knowing when to plant for your area of Illinois and starting your plants right will help maximize the growing season. Download printable info sheets handy for use on the go or in the garden, or explore below.

Questions? Connect with one of our Master Gardener Help Desks for a free gardening consultation. We're here to help!

Boone County office: call 815-544-3710
DeKalb County office: call 815-758-8194
Ogle County office: call 815-732-2191

Planting dates Learn more

Events

Spring Centerpieces

April 17, 2025

County

JoDaviess

Placing the Farm Bill’s Fate in a Rural Economic Perspective

April 17, 2025

Underutilized Shrubs and Native Shrub Alternatives

April 22, 2025

County

DuPage

Kane

Kendall

Gardening with Wildlife | Belvidere

April 23, 2025

County

Boone

More Events

News Releases

A tractor pulling equipment tilling across a farm field causing dust

April 16, 2025

Dust storms in Illinois: Examining roles of weather and farming practices
URBANA, Ill. — Recent dust storms in Illinois have raised the question of the cause of these events. In the last few years, these dust events have caused fatal accidents among traveling motorists. Another public concern is the drop in air quality during these storms.Some of the emerging...

View of a layered landscape all green in bloom with flowers, trees, and shrubs in the woods.

April 14, 2025

A layered landscape provides space for wildlife all year
URBANA, Ill. — There are many ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in home landscapes, such as providing floral resources throughout the season, planting host plants, and planting native plants. In addition, consider creating a space for them to live out their life cycles by creating...

a person gives a box of food items to another person

April 11, 2025

Illinois Extension 2024 metrics demonstrate the value of land-grant universities
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois residents, businesses, and communities are gaining transformational knowledge and experiencing quantifiable impact through the efforts of University of Illinois Extension, a unit of the ...

Three buttons with butterfly, fish, and turtle on them.

April 10, 2025

Fourth annual NatureFest to take place April 26
DEKALB, Ill. - Join us again for a day in the woods. University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, and DeKalb County Health Department have planned the fourth annual NatureFest. Join us on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to...

woman with dark hair in a hat and gardening gloves with a plant.

April 10, 2025

Homegrown Healthy: A horticultural journey from garden to table
OREGON, Ill. - As the warmth of summer approaches, the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, Sauk Valley Community College, and Morrison Community Hospital, along with University of Illinois Extension, are proud to announce a unique educational initiative designed to cultivate healthier lifestyles...

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