See the impact Extension makes in your community

Reports

University of Illinois Extension continues to make difference in our Lake and McHenry counties.

See the impact and read 2024 stories here.

Since 2023 McHenry County trained 28 people to become Master Naturalists with a combined total of 1,070 hours of volunteer time. Lake County is pleased to offer its own Master Naturalist course this year in 2025.
Master Gardeners in both counties distributed seed resources at two seed expo events, reaching 2,700 residents.
Master Gardener volunteers supported nine community gardens, resulting in 20,461 pounds of food donated to local pantries.
Staff and volunteers guided and encouraged 622 4-H members and engaged with 42.16% that identified as minorities.
Local 4-H programs reached community youth with important life skills with 853 club memberships and 8,772 experiences.
Our SNAP-Education team held 255 education classes with over 630 nutrition education participants.
Over 33 Policy systems and environmental changes were adopted by SNAP-Ed partner organizations.

Read past Impact Reports: 2024 2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

Plan of Work Reports

Dale Kehr welcomes attendees to the literacy walk

As in many communities, COVID has left the Zion community feeling the need to engage families and the community. Last winter, Extension assisted on a grant to increase literacy and physical activity in Zion, a low-income communities.

McHenry County Cloverbuds conducted STEM experiments and created art projects.

After a long and challenging school year, McHenry County 4-H offered a three-week in-person hands-on Cloverbud experience for youth ages 5 to 7. Led by 4-H Teen Ambassadors with the assistance of volunteers and staff, Cloverbuds had fun activities.

Master Gardeners at the Harvard Garden grew thousands of pounds of fresh produce, which was donated to local food pantries.

McHenry County Master Gardeners continue to assist their neighbors suffering from food insecurity by donating more than 30,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries throughout the county this past summer and fall.