Home News Ogle County Farm Stroll returns October 11 for a day of agriculture, education, and local flavor

Ogle County Farm Stroll returns October 11 for a day of agriculture, education, and local flavor

Teresa Schwarz
Brown cow in a field

OREGON, Ill. — The beloved Ogle County Farm Stroll returns Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., inviting families, foodies, and curious community members to explore the heart of rural Illinois.

The free, self-guided event offers visitors the opportunity to tour 10 working farms throughout Ogle County, meet local farmers, learn about agricultural practices, and experience the many products and traditions that make the area’s farms unique.

There is no official starting point or required route. Visitors can choose which farms they would like to visit and create their own Farm Stroll adventure. Featured experiences range from antique farm equipment and historical stonework to maple syrup production, organic farming, dairy goats, bison, an apiary, and an orchard.

“Farm Stroll is a wonderful opportunity to get out into the community and connect directly with the people who grow and raise the food and products we enjoy,” organizers said. “Each farm has its own story, and visitors can learn something new at every stop.”

Featured farms

The 2026 Ogle County Farm Stroll Hosts will feature:

  • Barnhart's Stone Corner — Oregon: Explore antique farm equipment, historical oddities and hundreds of tons of dated stones arranged in artistic formations.
  • BerryView Orchard — Mt. Morris: Discover apples and pumpkins, pick-your-own opportunities, and homemade jams, jellies, and cookies.
  • Dietrich Ranch — Mt. Morris: Learn about the ranch's 100% grass-fed beef, lamb, chicken and pork, raised without chemicals or antibiotics.
  • Happily Homegrown — Oregon: Visit this 12-acre homestead featuring pigs, cows, rabbits, chickens, and a greenhouse that supports year-round growing.
  • Hinrichs Farm — Oregon: Check out AJ's Garden Tractor Jamboree, vintage machinery, interactive demonstrations and free popcorn.
  • Hough's Maple Lane Farm — Mt. Morris: Learn how the Hough family turns sap collected from their maple trees into syrup and other sweet treats in their family sugar house.
  • Jen's Sunshine Farm — Oregon: Shop seasonal produce, homemade cookies and handcrafted fabric baskets and memory bears.
  • Orion Organics — Franklin Grove: Visit an organic honey and garlic farm nestled among native prairie and woodlands.
  • Ponto Ranch — Chana: Meet Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats and learn about the ranch's growing Christmas tree operation and focus on breed improvement.
  • Triple Creek Bison — Chana: Explore eco-agriculture and regenerative farming practices while learning about bison, honey and future fruit production.

The Farm Stroll is held rain or shine. Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for outdoor farm conditions, wear suitable footwear and follow the instructions provided by each farm host. For everyone's safety, visitors should respect animals, wash their hands regularly and leave pets at home.

Farm products will be available for purchase at participating farms, so visitors are encouraged to bring cash. Guests can also participate in the Farm Stroll Passport program by collecting farm stamps at participating farms and submitting their passport for a chance to win prizes.

A new informational table will be available at the Ogle County Extension office, 421 W. Pines Rd., Suite 10, Oregon, during the Farm Stroll. Visitors can stop by for maps, Farm Stroll Passports, crafts, and additional information. The Extension office will also have brochures and maps available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information is available at extension.illinois.edu/bdo.

For event updates, farm spotlights and digital maps, follow the Northern Illinois Farm Stroll Facebook page or Ogle County Extension Facebook page.

For questions or accommodation requests, contact the Ogle County Extension Office at 815-732-2191.

 

About Extension

University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.