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Events and Highlights

Our offices will be closed on May 27 | Memorial Day

We observe this day by remembering and honoring the men and women who served in the U.S. military. Thank you! Different ways to observe Memorial Day include visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.

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!

Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Class | Oregon | May 20

Join Extension Educator Kara Schweitzer as she leads participants through interactive activities designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. You are always young enough to train your brain.Sessions will be held monthly at the Rock River Center from 10 am to 11:30 am. The event is free, but please register by calling the Rock River Center Center at 815-732-3252.

Summer Ag Institue for Teachers | Register by May 23

ATTENTION 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 the Ogle County office at 815-732-2191 for more information.

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.

Events

Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Class | Oregon

May 20, 2024

County

Ogle

Learning in Lawn Chairs

May 21, 2024

County

Carroll

wooden spoons, salt and vegetables on a grey table

Cooking with Veggies Monthly Lessons | Savanna Library

May 21, 2024

County

Carroll

Lee

Whiteside

Illinois Climate Bank: Funding Opportunities Exploration

May 21, 2024

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News Releases

Tie dye yellow and green background with Four Seasons Gardening text.

May 17, 2024

Spend summer days growing, supporting gardens with webinar series
URBANA, Ill. — Get ready to spend summer days outdoors gardening, exploring, and enjoying the growing season by adding in Four Seasons Gardening webinars beginning June 11. University of...

women in the garden with produce in the background

May 16, 2024

Homegrown Healthy: A Horticultural Journey from Garden to Table
OREGON, Ill. - As the warmth of summer approaches, the Oregon Public Library and Morrison Community Hospital, along with University of Illinois Extension, are proud to announce a unique educational initiative designed to cultivate healthier lifestyles through the Homegrown...

May 15, 2024

Youth robotics competition revolves around work of ag scientists, engineers
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Youth from 30 teams across Illinois demonstrated their learning, celebrated their accomplishments, and interacted with others who share an interest in robotics at the 2024 4-H Robotics Competition held at the Interstate Center on the McLean County Fairgrounds on May 4....

Black Angus cow standing up close out in a pasture.

May 14, 2024

Explore how starting at the soil can strengthen production at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day
URBANA, Ill. — Soil health and quality play a significant role in the nutritional value of pastures and cover crops, determining grazing strategies and sustainability. Attending the University of Illinois Extension Dudley Smith Farm Field Day this...

Two men at a table inspect a red crayfish in a container

May 13, 2024

Illinois Conservation Police dive into preventing spread of aquatic invasive species
DECATUR, Ill. — A group of 150 Illinois Conservation Police Officers gathered in Decatur for a hands-on workshop on aquatic invasive species during their annual meeting this spring. Developed by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic invasive species team in...

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