Events

Compost Giveaway

Shovels provided, bring your own buckets.
Limit 20 gallons per household. 
Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with us. Add compost to your vegetable garden, flower beds, or…

Health & Management Roundup for Small Ruminants

Program Details:
May 4 at 6:00 p.m. McHenry County Extension Office
This FREE program is open to the public as well as 4-H families.
Join University of Illinois Extension Livestock…

Ticks in Illinois

 Have you found yourself worrying that those pesky little bugs seem to be everywhere lately? You might be right, tick populations are on the rise, and new species may be appearing in our area.…

2026 Sheep Weigh-in

Sheep Weigh-in for Market LambsMay 5 from 3-7pm - TUESDAYMcHenry County Fairgrounds COUNTY FAIR ONLY: The following rules can be found in the McHenry County 4-H Livestock showbookAll market…

Business in Front, Party in the Back - Designing a Native Landscape Your Neighbors will Appreciate

Even the most thoughtfully designed native landscape can sometimes be misunderstood or even viewed as problematic by neighbors or local municipalities. What begins as an effort to support…

Compost Giveback & Ask a Master Gardener Booth

SOIL LOVES COMPOST!

 Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) and learn about the many benefits of this naturally produced soil amendment. We're giving away a truckload of…

Junior Master Naturalist Program – Bug Bytes - Insects Spring 2026

Bitten by the curiosity bug?? Join us to discover amazing facts about our smallest neighbors, the “super hero” bugs in our backyards and around the world. Look thru a “bugs eye”, take a bug challenge…

Veggie Visions: Unveiling New Flavors in 2026

Keep garden planning fresh by adding new vegetable varieties. 

Embark on a culinary adventure with the exciting lineup of new vegetables unveiled for the 2026 season. Learn about the unique…

Amazing Annuals

The University of Illinois Extension Lake County Master Gardeners, SWALCO, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District present the 2026 Garden Learning Series  Programs will be held…

4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Central Illinois

Help young people build confidence, responsibility, and lifelong skills through Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports! We’re seeking adult volunteers (21+) who are willing to learn, lead, and support…