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Events and Highlights

Our volunteers are Awesome!

We applaud and appreciate the volunteers we work with all year! It's time to celebrate all our volunteers throughout Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties. We appreciate your willingness to help us by giving up your time, talents, and knowledge to help Extension be the best it can be for our communities. If you know one of our volunteers, thank them for their efforts and accomplishments!

It was a great NatureFest!

Thank you to all the volunteers and Extension staff who engaged with many families who came to our third annual NatureFest hosted by University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, and the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District! We had a great turnout, with new and old nature family friends. NatureFest is an annual event with multiple hands-on learning activities throughout Russell Woods Forest Preserve in Genoa. We hope to see you next year! Join us for our next event on Saturday, May 11- Mother's Day Flower Walk.

Mother's Day Flower Walk | Saturday, May 20

Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, May 11, Extension staff and volunteers are offering their annual Mother’s Day Flower Walks from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, located one mile west of Genoa on state route 72. The walks leave from the NREC on the hour starting at 10 a.m., and the last walk leaves at 1:00 p.m. Two local botany enthusiasts, Karen Matz and Brian Hale, will lead the flower walks and talk about all that is blooming. Be sure to dress for the weather!

Summer Ag Institue for Teachers | June dates

Teachers: Learn how to incorporate an agriculture curriculum into your classrooms! Registration opens on April 15 for the June farm tours in Carroll & Stephenson counties or Winnebago & Boone counties. The $75 fee includes transportation, lunch, and snacks. The deadline to register is May 23. Contact Melinda Colbert at charbm@illinois.edu or call the Ogle County office at 815-732-2191 for more information.

4-H Summer Camp | Where you belong!

Camp is from June 9 through June 13 at Rock River Christian Camp in Polo. This camp is for all boys and girls ages 8-14 by June 9, 2024 (4-H membership is not required). Camp teaches youth to make good decisions, build their self-confidence, become independent, and gain the ability to work well with others. Daily activities include shooting sports, hiking, arts and crafts, crate stacking, team-building challenges, zip-lining, swimming, and more. Enjoy nightly campfires, a games night, and a dance. Sign up here and get your child in on all the fun!

4-H Spotlight | Boone County

Congratulations to Dakota Schober on being recognized by the Rotary Club of Belvidere as their “Student Volunteer” in recognition of volunteer “Service Above Self.” Dakota was nominated by the previous 4-H Program Coordinator, Melissa Irwin. Dakota was honored and presented her certificate at the Rotary’s breakfast meeting on 4/10.

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Join our team!

Seeking a 4-H Youth Development Educator and a Family and Consumer Science (SNAP-Ed) Educator. A master's degree is required for both positions. Call 815-732-2191 for more information. EEO Employer

Apply by April 29

4-H Youth Development Educator SNAP-Ed Educator

Events

National 4-H Day of Service

April 27, 2024

4-H It's Soy Amazing Webinar

April 30, 2024

A largemouth bass hopping out of the water.

May Largemouth Bass Illinois 4-H Hooks Us Together Fishing Tournament

May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Money, Stress, and Bad Habits

May 1, 2024

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News Releases

April 25, 2024

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...

purple flowers and grass with pine trees in background

April 25, 2024

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...

painting on brick with text the best gift is you with two arms reaching up

April 25, 2024

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...

April 24, 2024

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...

a group of children stand at a table full of potted plants in a classroom

April 24, 2024

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?...

More News Releases

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Mushroom Farming

Learning and following these best practices of specialty mushroom production and staying informed on current regulations can help avoid bureaucratic headaches, misunderstandings, and barriers to success. This can prevent loss of time, money, and energy, leaving mushroom growers more time to do what they do best: mushroom farming.

Grow Specialty Mushrooms

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