An autumn garden can display a variety of colors, textures, and gradients to set a festive and fun mood.

A ranch that raises goats was just one of the stops on the Ogle County Farm Stroll on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. The self-guided event was organized by the Illinois Extension and featured 10 stops.

If you are looking for a single groundcover for the entire area, here are three plants that are native to the Chicago region and can thrive in sun to shade.

University of Illinois Extension and Sinnissippi Centers are partnering to host a mental health first aid workshop Nov. 3, 2025, at the Whiteside Extension Office in Sterling.

Milkweed is not only the preferred food of the Monarch caterpillar, but it is the ONLY food it will eat. One can easily see that many milkweed plants are needed for her 300 to 500 eggs and caterpillars.

The beloved Ogle County Farm Stroll is back for another year of hands-on agricultural adventure and local flavor. Mark your calendars for Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, and prepare to explore the heart of rural Illinois.

The University of Illinois Extension and 4-H clubs will host hands-on activities and provide opportunities for families to meet staff and volunteer leaders.

The conference held in Springfield earlier this month, marked the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program and honored recipients of the annual Master Gardener Awards in three categories.

On Sept. 4 and 5, 446 Ogle and Carroll County fourth and fifth graders gathered for the 23rd annual Ag Awareness Days at the Ogle County Fairgrounds to learn about modern agriculture and its influences on daily living.

Lee County volunteers were recognized at the 2025 University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Conference for their outstanding contributions to projects such as the Lee County Jr. Garden and Kids in the Kitchen program.

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, will be a day with many farms to stroll around throughout Ogle County, with farmers showing their farms, practices, products and antiques to help educate visitors on food sources and the life of a hard day's work.

On Sept. 4 and 5, 446 Ogle and Carroll County fourth and fifth graders descended on the Ogle County Fairgrounds to learn about modern agriculture and its influences on daily living.

Extend the garden season by learning how to harvest flower seeds and gaining tips on where to start to reclaim runaway landscapes with the Four Seasons Gardening webinar series

Lindsay Young, formerly of Sterling, was presented the 2025 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award on Aug. 8, 2025, at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for her contributions to her profession, service to her community and support of the 4-H program.

University of Illinois Extension is offering a free, interactive virtual series designed to help individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes take control of their health and live vibrant, fulfilling lives.

University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois.

Ogle County 4-H Fair General Projects winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Horse Show winners were recently named.

No matter what you harvest, get everything in place ahead of time before you begin drying herbs, pickling vegetables, and canning food for the future.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Poultry Show winners were recently named.

The 2025 Ogle County 4-H Senior Master Showman winner was Luke Lichty of Ogle Jolly 4-H Club. The runner up was Ayden Alderks, Ogle Jolly 4-H Club.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Goat Show winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Foods Contest winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Llama and Alpaca Show winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Quality Meats Show winners were recently named.

It's never too late to plant a tree and other woody plant as long as the hole is pre-dug, according to Nancy Kuhajda, Illinois Extension horticulture educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will Counties.

Let's discuss some of the biggest offenders to home gardens and how to control them without using poisons, which have far-ranging consequences on other, unintended victims.

On Sunday, Oct. 10, 2025, the University of Illinois Extension will host the annual Ogle County Farm Stroll, a self-guided driving tour of highly diversified family farms open to the public on one big day.

The program at the Joliet Slammers game will raise awareness of the importance of water conservation and provide cost-saving tips to reduce water waste in the home.

Attendees can navigate scenarios families in poverty encounter, such as securing housing, feeding families, and accessing essential services.

When planning a shady retreat, pay close attention to the existing soil conditions. Choosing these local beauties not only bolsters regional biodiversity but should also be a priority over introducing non-native species.

There are a number of animals that feel very exotic to me, here in Northern Illinois: platypuses, lions, capybara, and armadillos. At least one of those may not be so exotic for much longer.

Kids learned about veterinary medicine Monday, July 28, 2025, during a workshop hosted by Whiteside County 4-H and University of Illinois Extension.

A 4-H workshop at the Rock Falls library Monday, July 28, 2025, taught kids about animal health.

As August approaches, it is important to scout for any heat stress symptoms in the garden to make proper production decisions to avoid crop loss and damage.

Monotropa uniflora, also known as Ghost Pipe or Ghost Plant, a plant that is more vampire than ghost. A perennial plant, it grows in wooded areas in small clusters that only reach about 4- to 8-inches tall.

Dangerous heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees are expected Wednesday and Thursday across northern Illinois

Whiteside County 4-H will host a workshop for young animal lovers to introduce them to the field of veterinary science. The workshop will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. July 28 at the Rock Falls Public Library.

A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines how green spaces and outdoor activites near the family residence influence functioning in early childhood.

Training will begin Aug. 2 and conclude Oct. 4. Classes will be held in different locations throughout Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties.

State Rep. Natalie Manley and Joliet Junior College Office of Sustainability launched a new event to encourage sustainability and cutting down on single-use containers.

Finding the right plant for your location’s unique needs is key. Also, paying attention to bloom times allows you to have a cascade of flowers throughout the entire growing season.

Reports are starting again from area residents about mystery seeds they didn’t order showing up in their mailboxes. Simply put, the danger is in the unknown.

There may be “new to you” vegetables or varieties of your favorite vegetables that can add excitement to your gardening life. And it’s not too late in the growing season to try something new.

Join Family Life Educator Kara Schweitzer and learn how the gentle, relaxing movements of Tai Chi can help relieve pain and stiffness from arthritis and improve balance.

Allison Burrs of Carroll County took first place in the Senior Individual Presentation category.

There are many ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in home landscapes, according to University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle.

Concerns over rising food prices and food security have sparked a strong interest in home gardening. Community gardens sold out spaces early this year.

Following these steps can help trees recover from winter damage, boost their health, and promote strong roots and lush leaves throughout the spring and beyond.

As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt.