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Events and Highlights

4-H Spotlight | Ogle County

Over 30 Ogle County 4-H members and adults planted 25 oak trees at the Byron Forest Preserve on April 13. By growing this oak tree savanna, the forest preserve is increasing the population of oak trees overtaken by invasive species and more shade-tolerant trees. The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program follows the "learn-by-doing" philosophy of 4-H and is guided by the priorities of the Illinois Forest Action Plan.

School & Community Garden Training

A garden is a classroom waiting to be explored. If you've ever wanted to start a school or community garden but were not sure where to start, the School and Community Gardens course is for you! This self-paced, research-based online class gives you the tools you need to teach youth to garden. Learn how to build a thriving, long-lasting school garden program of any size. Find more information or sign up for the class here!

Grow Your Own Backyard Tree Fruit | Belvidere | May 14

Did you know tree fruits can be grown in your backyard with proper care and training? Join Boone County Master Gardener Jennifer Crider on May 14 at 6 pm at the Ida Public Library in Belvidere. Learn the basics of backyard tree fruits and how selection, training, and pruning are key factors for success. Registration is required. Call the library at 815-544-3838 or register online by clicking here.

Mother's Day Flower Walk | Saturday, May 20

Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, May 11, Extension staff and volunteers are offering their annual Mother’s Day Flower Walks from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, located one mile west of Genoa on state route 72. The walks leave from the NREC on the hour starting at 10 a.m., and the last walk leaves at 1:00 p.m. Two local botany enthusiasts, Karen Matz and Brian Hale, will lead the flower walks and talk about all that is blooming. Be sure to dress for the weather!

Camp Russell 2024 | DeKalb County | Register now!

Children will have fun learning about nature through hands-on activities, games, and nature awareness. Camps fill quickly, and space is limited to 20 children per camp, so register now! There are four weeklong programs (June-August), each with a different nature theme. Daily from 9 am-3 pm at the Natural Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve in Genoa. Contact Peggy or Marian at 815-784-2000 with questions or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate. Specific weeks are geared toward children entering 2nd grade-12 years old. View the brochure here.

Summer Ag Institue for Teachers | Register by May 23

Teachers: Learn how to incorporate an agriculture curriculum into your classrooms! Registration opens on April 15 for the June farm tours in Carroll & Stephenson counties or Winnebago & Boone counties. The $75 fee includes transportation, lunch, and snacks. The deadline to register is May 23. Contact Melinda Colbert at charbm@illinois.edu or call the Ogle County office at 815-732-2191 for more information.

Events

Don't Go It Alone: Improving Your Social Connections

May 9, 2024

Fungus Among Us: An Insight to Fungi in Illinois Ecosystems

May 9, 2024

Serve it Safely: Non-Restaurant Food Handlers Course

May 9, 2024

County

Winnebago

Virtual 4-H Café Conversation: School’s Out for the Summer – Share Strategies to Keep Kids Engaged!- Virtual 4-H Café Conversation

May 9, 2024

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News Releases

A person holding out a large group of varied flowers and herbs

May 6, 2024

Add a dash of herbs to spice up floral bouquets
URBANA, Ill. — Cultivating a cut flower garden filled with favorites can be a fun family project that can become budget-friendly gifts for everyone. Adding herbs to a garden and bouquets will create a unique, personal touch to designs. Fresh herbs look and smell amazing and will be long-...

May 3, 2024

Youth demonstrate equine knowledge, passion for horses in hippology contest
OREGON, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people passionate about horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. 4-H’s educational programs enhance members’ knowledge of horse health, breed...

five youth three adults sitting with ribbons

May 3, 2024

Youth test knowledge of horse health, equine knowledge in state contest
OREGON, Ill. -- In 4-H, learning about horses means much more than learning to ride. Young people with a passion for horses participated in recent statewide educational contests related to the equine industry. University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educational programs enhance members’ knowledge...

four girls standing in front of Ogle 4-H sign with ribbons

May 2, 2024

Ogle County 4-H Public Presentations Contest held in March
OREGON, Ill. - This year’s 4-H Public Presentations Contest was held Saturday, March 9, at the Ogle County Farm Bureau. We thank the Polo Lions Club for sponsoring the Public Presentations Award. Ogle County 4-H winners: Top of Class Formal Speech –Beginner (aged 8-13), Shelby...

youth with garden shovels digging in the dirt

May 2, 2024

Ogle County 4-H partners with Byron Forest Preserve to plant an oak tree savanna
BYRON, Ill. – Byron Forest Preserve in Ogle County is now home to an oak tree savanna, thanks to local Ogle County 4-H members and community members. The 25 oak trees, called a savanna, will bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois. The 4-H Green...

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Mushroom Farming

Learning and following these best practices of specialty mushroom production and staying informed on current regulations can help avoid bureaucratic headaches, misunderstandings, and barriers to success. This can prevent loss of time, money, and energy, leaving mushroom growers more time to do what they do best: mushroom farming.

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