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.

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!

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.

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!

Hats off to the following 4-H youth who qualified for the State Horse Bowl and Hippology contests! The Ogle County Horse Bowl and Hippology team placed 2nd in the horse bowl to qualify for advancing. The horse bowl is like a scholastic bowl but about horses. Team members include Adalyn Bocker, Addison Diehl, Kenzie Hongsermeier, Lily Hongsermeier, and Addison Yordy. Each youth also qualified for the state Hippology contest. This is an individual event where youth's knowledge is tested on various horse-related topics. These youth are: Hippology- Juniors: Addison Diehl, Kenzie Hongsermeier, and Lily Hongsermeier. Hippology- Intermediates: Adalyn Bocker and Addison Yordy.

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.