Pesticide applicator tests to be offered in winter 2026
OGLESBY, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension – Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties is offering the following testing-only sessions and certification program for...
Oglesby Agronomy Summit provides knowledge for on-farm success
OGLESBY, Ill. – Discover how biologicals, pesticides, and climate are shaping the future of agriculture at the Illinois Extension Agronomy Summit, hosted at Illinois Valley Community College. This year’...
Master Naturalists provide critical data on local frog and toad populations
OTTAWA, Ill. – The Calling Frog Survey is a citizen science project that invites community members to learn how to identify frog calls and contribute valuable data to amphibian conservation efforts. Before the Calling Frog Survey began, little was known about the distribution and status of...
Extension advances mission of lifelong learning at annual conference
URBANA, Ill. — Across the state, University of Illinois Extension staff link their communities with resources they need to thrive by turning science into solutions. Demonstrating Extension’s mission of life-...
Marshall-Putnam 4-H Celebrates Achievements at Annual Awards Ceremony
HENRY, Ill. –The Marshall-Putnam University of Illinois Extension recently recognized outstanding achievements by 4-H members across Marshall and Putnam counties during an award ceremony held on Sunday, November 3, 2025, at the Henry Presbyterian Church. This event highlighted the...
Master Naturalists connect through community and conservation at annual conference
OGLESBY, Ill. — Of all the state parks in Illinois, Starved Rock has the most visitors, and this October, it also welcomed University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalists to explore and learn together. Against a backdrop of migrating pelicans floating in the Illinois River at the base of...
Master Gardeners Bring Tomato Workshop to LaSalle County Jail
OTTAWA, Ill. - This summer, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program brought its ‘Tomato Troubles’ workshop to the LaSalle County Jail. With a new garden in its first year, the project has given inmates in the drug treatment program a...
Master Naturalists welcome 18 new environmental steward volunteers
OGLESBY, Ill. – The Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam County Master Naturalists welcomed 18 new volunteers to their ranks on August 1.Helen Mlynarski, Ellen Evancheck, Pete Johnston, Coleen Piggott, Jillian Pender, Hannah Safiran, Cheryl Heitz, Patricia Meagher, Faye Barakat,...
Generations gather in Monticello to celebrate 75 Years of 4-H Memorial Camp
MONTICELLO, Ill. — On Saturday, July 19, alumni, families, supporters, and current and former staff gathered on the grounds of 4-H Memorial Camp, which is located within Allerton Park but independently owned and operated by Illinois 4-H, to commemorate the camp’s 75th anniversary. Since opening...
Master Naturalist joins archaeologists in search for ancient Native American presence in Wedron
OGLESBY, Ill. – Local Master Naturalist volunteer Chris Woeltje recently had the unique opportunity to spend a day in the field with archaeologists from Wisconsin, assisting in the survey of two potential Native American sites at Belrose Farm in Wedron, Illinois. The survey aimed to...
4-H Members Take Aim During Summer Sizzle Shoot
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. – Illinois 4-H members from seven counties gathered to showcase their focus and skill at the annual Summer Sizzle Shoot, held June 7 at the Chillicothe Sportsman’s Club. Eighty-five youth competed in the multi-discipline Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Contest, organized...
Seeds to Harvest Garden Program with Chinn Foundation
MENDOTA, Ill.- Five fifth-grade classes at Northbrook School in Mendota recently participated in Seeds to Harvest, a youth gardening program led by the University of Illinois Extension 4-H and Master Gardeners program. This six-week program introduced students to gardening and plant...
University of Illinois Extension to offer Master Naturalist Volunteer Training this Summer
Do you love spending time outdoors? Do you enjoy sharing your passion for the natural world with those around you? Would you like to help others connect with nature? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should consider becoming a University of Illinois...
