Let us help you grow.

Events

Youth Bicycle Safety Day

June 27, 2026

County

Winnebago

4-H Memorial Camp Youth Summer Session 4

June 28, 2026 - July 2, 2026

Nibbles Kids Gardening Club | Sycamore

June 29, 2026

County

DeKalb

Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy | Sycamore

June 30, 2026

More Events

Our Master Naturalists did the first step...

Check out these online Walking Guides.

Head out today!

After the Storm

Clean Up and Recovery Resources

After strong storms swept across much of Illinois, many communities are facing damaged property and stressful situations. The hours and days following a major storm are often filled with urgent questions. Residents can navigate those decisions using research-based resources from University of Illinois Extension to guide safe cleanup and recovery.

More info

Follow our new Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Facebook page today!

Grow, learn, and give back with Illinois Extension in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties. Master Gardeners support community gardens and share research‑based gardening knowledge, while Master Naturalists help restore and protect local natural areas. This page will let you know the latest programming, workshops, and educational material in our communities.

News Releases

A woman standing on a picnic table talking to a group of people

June 23, 2026

When natural curiosity takes root, Illinois communities thrive
The word “community” is often used to describe both people and nature, and for good reason. Each are groups of individuals sharing a space as they live and grow. It’s in this same spirit of collective...

June 18, 2026

Get to know Illinois grasses in summer plant identification series
URBANA, Ill. — Grasses play a big role in natural ecosystems — from controlling soil erosion to supporting pollinators to providing food for livestock — but telling one from another isn’t always easy. This summer,...

June 10, 2026

New webinar series empowers Illinois communities with trusted health expertise
URBANA, Ill. — Current technology puts health information at our fingertips, but not all of it is reliable. As misleading content spreads quickly online, communities need clear, science‑based guidance more than ever. That’s why educators, researchers, and community partners are collaborating to...

Group of youth and adults standing with check.

June 3, 2026

Carmichael directs Polo Lions to Ogle County 4-H Foundation
POLO, Ill.— Each year, the Polo Lions Club partners with the keynote speaker of their annual Farmers’ Night to support youth programming in our area. Daniel Carmichael, an engineer with Blue River Technology and John Deere, was this year’s choice. Carmichael visited the Polo Lions Club and spoke...

A crop field irrigation system releasing water over experimental plots at the Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan.

May 29, 2026

How farmers respond to climate-related risk
URBANA, Ill. — As climate change increases the frequency of drought, excessive rainfall, and other extreme weather events, farmers face growing uncertainty about crop production. Understanding how farmers perceive and respond to that uncertainty can help improve agricultural...

More News Releases