Lake and McHenry Counties

Explore Our Youth Programs

Lake County Extension Foundation

The Lake County Extension Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

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Local Food Purchasing Assistance

Are you a grower that identifies as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female, disabled, a veteran, or has farmed for less than 10 years? Illinois has $28M to buy food at fair market value from YOU! Products will be distributed for free to local communities in need.

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Happening soon

During the Holiday Season, the
Lake & McHenry County Extension Offices will be closed Dec. 22, 2023-Jan.1, 2024
Happy Holidays From the Extension Staff!

Seeds - Demos - Seeds - Activities
Books - Seeds - Plants - Seeds - Tools
Seeds - Fun - Seeds
February 3, 2024 10-2 pm
McHenry County College

Announcements & Highlights

"Hold That Thought" Event to Address Everyday Forgetfulness

The program seeks to equip participants with practical strategies to combat everyday memory challenges, aiding in improving their daily life quality. It's an open invitation for community members of all ages to learn, engage, and understand more about their cognitive health.

Register

Hands with dirt and food scraps on ground

Connect. Learn. Grow

Your toughest gardening questions, answered

Call our Master Gardener Helpline and a U of I Extension Master Gardener will answer your questions at NO COST!

Become a Master Naturalist

Volunteer as a Master Naturalist to facilitate conservation and restoration in your community and educate others about natural resources.

Eat well, stay active, and save money

Find tasty recipes, shopping tips, and activities to keep you and your family healthy.

Sea Grant Illinois-Indiana

Sea Grant uses research, outreach, and education to bring the latest science to Great Lakes communities. Sea Grant helps strengthen and preserve ecosystems and communities in southern Lake Michigan and beyond.

Events

Hold That Thought

December 6, 2023

News Releases

December 4, 2023

Bloom in the winter with gift of amaryllis bulb kit
URBANA, Ill. — The gift of gardening is an experience anyone can appreciate this holiday season. Take the stress out of shopping this holiday season and give a blooming amaryllis kit that brings the beauty of nature indoors. Poinsettias are beautiful, popular holiday plants, but the gift...

November 30, 2023

Extension’s Growing Together Illinois program honored as part of national team award
URBANA, Ill. — Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture,...

November 27, 2023

4-H youth showcase agricultural excellence at national competition
Louisville, KY – 4-H youth headed to the North American International Livestock Exposition to compete in educational contests held as a part of the exposition held Nov. 2-16 in Louisville. The expo drew more than 27,000 livestock entries from...

November 20, 2023

Sustainable, functionally designed garden receives gifts to perpetuate impact
URBANA, Ill. — Nestled in the pedestrian walkways leading from Illini Grove to the larger University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Illinois Extension’s 10,000-square-foot Red Oak Rain Garden is an inviting...

November 13, 2023

Illinois Extension offers stakeholder town hall on December 5 to share strategic planning process updates
URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Extension began a bold, strategic planning process in the spring of 2023 in collaboration with...

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Programs We Offer