Grow, Harvest, Prepare, and Share
Registration has closed. Please contact Jennifer Warren at jrwarren@illinois.edu for further assistance.
The summer youth gardening classes are back at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in 2026! This summer there is an exciting option for participants to also participate in cooking classes. The Grow, Harvest, Prepare, and Share program is designed to help youth rediscover where their food comes from and bridge the gap between outdoor exploration and culinary education. Participants can take part in gardening tasks, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and watering and learn about garden science concepts, such as soils, composting, and insects. In the kitchen, participants can use their harvested ingredients to make tasty recipes and learn how to use seasonal produce. Youth have the option to participate in garden class, cooking class, or both! This program is free and open to all youth. If a child is under 6 years old, a parent must accompany them during the classes. Please note the specific dates and times below and only register for the dates your child will be able to attend. Space is limited and registration will close once it has reached capacity.
Gardening class will meet from 9 to 11 am. Please have each participating child wear closed toe shoes, such as tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle to every class. Youth should also wear sunscreen and use bug spray. Each class will meet at the Extension office, just north of the Administration Building at the Dixon Springs Ag Center. It is the brown building located across the highway from the high tunnel area. In the event of rain, we will meet at the pavilion near the Administration Building. Parents will need to sign in their child at the beginning of each class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the gardening portion, please contact Jennifer Warren at jrwarren@illinois.edu.
Cooking class will meet from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This class will be held in the dorm basement at the Dixon Springs Ag Center. The dorm is the brown building located near the pavilion. Children who are participating in both gardening and cooking classes may choose to pack a lunch or snacks. There will be about 30 minutes in between classes to allow time for a lunch and bathroom break. Youth participating in the cooking classes will need to wear closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the cooking portion, please contact Lacey Barnhill at lbarnhil@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Gardening class will meet from 9 to 11 am. Please have each participating child wear closed toe shoes, such as tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle to every class. Youth should also wear sunscreen and use bug spray. Each class will meet at the Extension office, just north of the Administration Building at the Dixon Springs Ag Center. It is the brown building located across the highway from the high tunnel area. In the event of rain, we will meet at the pavilion near the Administration Building. Parents will need to sign in their child at the beginning of each class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the gardening portion, please contact Jennifer Warren at jrwarren@illinois.edu.
Cooking class will meet from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This class will be held in the dorm basement at the Dixon Springs Ag Center. The dorm is the brown building located near the pavilion. Children who are participating in both gardening and cooking classes may choose to pack a lunch or snacks. There will be about 30 minutes in between classes to allow time for a lunch and bathroom break. Youth participating in the cooking classes will need to wear closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the cooking portion, please contact Lacey Barnhill at lbarnhil@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.