ROCHELLE, Ill. — The 4‑H Green Thumbs have had an amazing growing season. This year’s club includes nine hardworking members who spent the season planting, tending, learning, and creating. As part of the Special Interest (SPIN) Club, these youth grew vegetables, herbs, a cheerful pollinator pocket, and a whole variety of beautiful flowers — all while caring for five raised garden beds.
They also showcased their creativity at the Ogle County 4‑H Fair with projects in: Fairy Gardens, Landscape Design, Flower Art, Floral Design, plant propagation, and terrariums
Congratulations to Jaylee Breit, who created a fairy garden and an artistic display using dried flowers, for which she received Grand Champion, State Fair Representative, and Top of Class awards. She represented her 4-H Club at the Illinois State Fair.
For several years — including this one — the Ogle County Master Gardeners have partnered with the Green Thumbs, providing horticulture education that will stay with these youth for a lifetime. Their guidance helps spark curiosity, confidence, and a love for growing things.
Story Source: Ashley Capes, Flagg-Rochelle Public Library
PHOTO: The Ogle County Green Thumbs 4-H Club worked hard throughout the growing season.
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.