News Releases

Members pose in green shirts in the Capitol.
Teen leaders showcase leadership, speaking skills at State Capitol
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois 4-H teens put their leadership skills to the test as they communicated the value and impact of Illinois 4-H with state legislators as a part of 4-H Legislative Connection on Feb.7 and 8.Legislative Connection provides Illinois 4-H teens a unique opportunity to...
Man and woman holding sign with text 2023 Winner $5,000
Local farmer donates to DeKalb County 4-H through Bayer
SYCAMORE, Ill. – Local farmer Ken Stark directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to DeKalb County 4-H in 2023. “We would like to thank Ken for this amazing donation to the DeKalb County 4-H program and Bayer for sponsoring the opportunity. It will truly...
People crouched around a raised garden bed with vegetables growing in it. One woman is taking notes.
Get inspired to get growing at regional garden days
URBANA, Ill. — Imagine picking fresh fruit off a tree in your backyard. Or snipping fresh herbs from a potted plant growing on your windowsill for a family meal. Gardening is an adventure, and each spring is a new opportunity to grow. Whether your garden is a few houseplants by a window...
ladies serving cake at a bazaar
Serve It Safely: Food Handlers Course
Selling and serving food remains a popular fundraising activity for many community groups. If you belong to a service club, church group, youth group, special interest club, or any non-profit organization, chances are good that you sell food. Any time your group sells food, it is essential to...
4 photos of food prep in a certified kitchen
Become a Certified Food Protection Manager
Do you currently have a position handling food, or are you looking for a job in the food industry? If so, consider becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires retail food establishment managers to obtain an American National Standards...
Text 4-H Club award, community service, Leaf River soaring Eagles club
Local Ogle County 4-H club honored with statewide award
URBANA, Ill. - The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H club in Ogle County was recently honored for its achievements with a statewide Excel Club Award. Recognition and awards are an essential part of 4-H. Recognition encourages young people and increases their interest in opportunities as they...
corn with a sunrise
Farm Forward: Turning Last Season’s Challenges Into Next Season’s Triumphs
Join University of Illinois Extension Crop Sciences Educator Kathryn Seebruck for the first year of her series “Farm Forward: Turning Last Season’s Challenges Into Next Season’s Triumphs”. This monthly series aims to address the needs of row crop producers and will be rotated between Jo Daviess...
two teens at summer camp
Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp – Change Your Child’s Life!
Registration for the Northern Illinois 4-H Summer Camp 2024 is now open! The camp will be held from June 9-13, 2024, at Rock River Christian Camp, Polo, IL. This five-day, four-night residential camping experience is conducted cooperatively by University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone,...
youth and adult gardening
New Rochelle Green Thumbs 4-H Club grows vegetables with local youth
OREGON, Ill. - Are you looking for a fun, friend-filled, free club to learn about vegetables and gardening? Ogle County 4-H is excited to partner with Flagg-Rochelle Public Library and the Ogle County Master Gardeners to teach youth about growing vegetables. This new horticulture club, Rochelle...
lilac bushes
Secure Your Spot for the Ready…Set…Grow… Gardening Workshop!
Garden enthusiasts, rejoice! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the "Ready…Set…Grow…" gardening workshop on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Loveland Community Building in Dixon...
bee in bee hotel
Check-in your bee hotel to support pollinator research
URBANA, Ill. — Bee hotels buzz with activity, but is it the right kind? A graduate student at University of Illinois is researching bees and needs help, in the form of donated used bee hotels, from the public to understand if these man-made nests are helping or harming bee populations in...
strawberries
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants Available
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announces $6.4 million in competitive grant funds will be available for projects designed to help strengthen the state’s food supply chain. The program, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI), is a cooperative...