University of Illinois Extension - DuPage Kane & Kendall Counties

06/23/2026

Build confidence in canning with our Food Preservation Series
Join us for one, two, or all three sessions this summer to learn safe, effective methods to preserve these fruits and vegetables:

🥒Dill Pickles: Wednesday, July 22 from 4-6 p.m.
🌶️Salsa: Wednesday, August 26 from 4-6 p.m.
🍏Apples: Wednesday, September 23 from 4-6 p.m.

Registration is required, and space is limited. Learn more or save your spot at: go.illinois.edu/FoodPreservationSeriesKane

06/22/2026

Every farm has its own story to tell.

Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau are partnering on a series to help farmers and landowners build, sustain, and share their farm’s legacy.

Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy events will feature critical and practical updates for farmers on the current agricultural environment, including succession planning, asset stewardship, Farm Bill, and market conditions.

Join us for the June 30 in-person event in Sycamore (or via a hybrid online option). Cost is $20 per location with lunch included. CPDUs and CEUs available to those who qualify.

🔗 Register for Sycamore directly by June 24 at https://extension.illinois.edu/crops/farmland-owners-conference or https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-06-30-focus-future-sustaining-farm-legacy-sycamore

The final event date is Aug. 25 in Mt. Vernon, with a hybrid online option on that date to reach more interested Illinois landowners.

06/18/2026

Please note: Our offices will be closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. We will return to regular business hours on Monday, June 22.

DuPage Kane and Kendall 4-H

06/17/2026

Severe weather reminder:
• A tornado watch means pay attention ⛈️
• A tornado warning means seek shelter! 🌪️
Severe weather is moving through Illinois today. With a Tornado Watch, conditions are right for a tornado to form, and watches are issued hours in advance. In a Tornado Warning, a tornado has been sighted in person or by radar. Seek shelter immediately.
Stay informed and stay safe:
• How severe weather alerts are issued: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/all-about-weather/2021-06-25-what-difference-between-tornado-watch-and-warning
• Types of twisters: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/all-about-weather/2024-07-18-watch-out-twisters-not-movie
• What to do during a power outage: https://extension.illinois.edu/energy/power-outage-safety
• Food safety during power outages: https://extension.illinois.edu/food-safety/during-disasters

06/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Kane County Master Gardener Plant Sale on June 6. We're excited that so many plants found great homes!

Miss the sale? Don't worry. A selection of native plants are still available at the Illinois Extension office in St. Charles while supplies last. Stop by during business hours Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Note: we will be closed Friday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday.)

06/15/2026

The hours and days after a devastating storm can feel overwhelming.

We know many Illinois residents and communities are facing significant storm damage, power outages, cleanup challenges, and a lot of uncertainty after yesterday's round of fast-moving, severe storms.

If you need help knowing where to start, lean on our practical, research-based guidance to assess tree damage, manage food safety during power outages, navigate safe cleanup after flooding, and keep you and your family safe.

✅ Explore storm and disaster recovery and preparedness resources: https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/after-storm-illinois-extension-shares-resources-storm-recovery-rebuilding-disaster

A few things to keep in mind:
• Put safety first, especially around downed power lines and large tree limbs.
• Be cautious with cleanup, some jobs are better left to trained professionals.
• Take care with food after power outages — know what to keep or toss.
• Check in on neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.

👉 Have questions? We're here to help! Reach out to your local Extension office: go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice

With: Safe Electricity

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BXg55RSPu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The hours and days after a devastating storm can feel overwhelming.

We know many Illinois residents and communities are facing significant storm damage, power outages, cleanup challenges, and a lot of uncertainty after yesterday's round of fast-moving, severe storms.

If you need help knowing where to start, lean on our practical, research-based guidance to assess tree damage, manage food safety during power outages, navigate safe cleanup after flooding, and keep you and your family safe.

✅ Explore storm and disaster recovery and preparedness resources: https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/after-storm-illinois-extension-shares-resources-storm-recovery-rebuilding-disaster

A few things to keep in mind:
• Put safety first, especially around downed power lines and large tree limbs.
• Be cautious with cleanup, some jobs are better left to trained professionals.
• Take care with food after power outages — know what to keep or toss.
• Check in on neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.

👉 Have questions? We're here to help! Reach out to your local Extension office: go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice

With: Safe Electricity

06/09/2026

So cool to be part of the grand opening of the Arrowwood Point Archery Complex! Some of our awesome 4-H members joined the ceremony with a demonstration (check out the awesome photos). Grateful to have this great facility in Kane County!

DuPage Kane and Kendall 4-H
Forest Preserve District of Kane County

06/05/2026

Our Kane County Master Gardeners have been busy at the Idea Garden this spring. Come see the start of this year's plots and check out the Kane County Master Gardener Plant Sale tomorrow, June 6, 9 a.m. to noon in St. Charles. (Rain or shine!)

Get all the details at go.illinois.edu/KanePlantSale

06/04/2026

While "leaves of three, leave it be" usually works for identifying poison ivy, this adaptable plant takes many different forms, so it can be tricky.

Poison ivy can be a shrub or a vine. It can pop up in a forest or on a roadside. And leaves can range from tiny to dinner-plate size, with colors ranging from light to dark green.

Don't guess when it comes to poison ivy. Learn more about poison ivy's role and value in the overall ecosystem and how to identify it in the latest Illinois Wildside post, including a helpful video: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/illinois-wildside/2026-05-30-poison-ivy

Dealing with the effects of a “run-in” with the poison ivy plant is probably the most common negative wildlife encounter people in the Midwest experience (mosquitoes