Youth exhibit skills, 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 11-...
Youth demonstrate expert equine knowledge 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...
Young Illinois 4-H members inspire at statewide public speaking contest
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Youth from across the state recently came together to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State...
Supporting school nutrition professionals with essential training
As students prepare to return to school, dedicated school nutrition professionals work diligently behind the scenes—preparing kitchens, planning menus, and placing food orders. These professionals play a vital role in the health and well-being of children, directly influencing childhood...
Ogle County 4-H food drive was a success
OREGON, Ill.— On April 26, 2025, youth across the country marked National 4-H Day of Service by giving back to their communities, and the Ogle County 4-H Ambassadors were no exception. Partnering with the Ogle County...
Mother's Day Flower Walk in Genoa
GENOA, Ill. — On Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 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 one mile west of Genoa on State Route...
Ogle County youth rank high at state 4-H horse contests
OREGON, Ill. — Ogle County was represented by six local youth who competed in the Northwest Regional Competition for Illinois 4-H Horse Speaking, Horse Bowl, and Hippology earlier this month and were rewarded for their efforts. This was their first time competing in the State 4-H Horse Speaking...
Illinois Extension offers free dial-gauge pressure canning testing for home canners
OREGON, Ill. — With summer gardens gearing up, it’s time to take canning equipment out of storage. Illinois Extension in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties offers free dial-gauge pressure canner testing to ensure the equipment works accurately. Testing should be done annually since the needle on a...
Keeping outside pests off indoor plants
URBANA, Ill. — Keeping houseplants is a hobby that has recently seen a huge resurgence. Now, nurseries that were all but shuttered for the winter are hosting houseplant parties and other events to help people keep their hands dirty all year.Tending to houseplants is a way to maintain our...
Ogle County 4-H plants trees
OREGON, Ill. - Illinois was once home to 14 million acres of trees, which included a unique ecosystem called an oak savannah. Now, the oak savannah is considered by the Illinois Forest Action Plan to be the most threatened plant community in the Midwest. A savannah is a plant community with...
Illinois leads most rigorous agricultural greenhouse gas emissions study to date
URBANA, Ill. — Farmers apply nitrogen fertilizers to crops to boost yields, feeding more people and livestock. But when there’s more fertilizer than the crop can take up, some of the excess can be converted into gaseous forms, including nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that traps nearly 300 times...
Pollinators
Join Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Madelynn Wilharm for a presentation on “Pollinators” on Tuesday, May 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 N. Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $5 fee to attend and pre-registration is requested. To register or for more...
Dust storms in Illinois: Identifying farm solutions
URBANA, Ill. — Dust storms have become an increasing concern in Illinois, prompting investigations into their causes and potential solutions. These weather events have resulted in fatalities, including a 2023...
Immeasurable impact gained through dedication of Illinois Extension volunteers
URBANA, Ill. — They are friends, neighbors, family members, or someone we run into at local community events. More than 5,000 of these individuals are University of Illinois Extension volunteers.These volunteers make a difference in their...
Extension celebrates program volunteers
OREGON, Ill. - The Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle County Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers are comprised of trained and dedicated individuals. These individuals come back year after year because they are devoted to giving back to the community, helping and teaching others, making a...
Volunteers' passion helps to grow the next generation of leaders
OREGON, Ill. – Volunteers play a vital role in supporting 4-H youth clubs and programming. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H youth development program in Ogle County honors over 100 volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 20-26.National Volunteer Week is an opportunity...
Ogle County 4-H seeks food donations
OREGON, Ill. — Food insecurity is an official term from the USDA, and it's when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from. It's a big problem in the United States, where 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity...
Sprout gardening skills at regional Master Gardener 50th Anniversary Celebrations
URBANA, Ill. — Seek out pollinators in native gardens, dive into the world of aquaponics, and see how cutting-edge technology is transforming garden design at upcoming statewide Golden Garden Day celebrations of the 50-year legacy of University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. This...
