Growing at MCC

Directions Website

Inspiring students & community through the Center for Agrarian Learning and two degree programs.

09/26/2026

It’s here! The Farm Stroll is tomorrow! Eleven amazing farms are ready to show you around their properties! From veggies to cows to lavender and popcorn, alpacas and horses and hayrides-find it all! It’s going to be a beautiful day, spend it at local farms and meet the people growing your food, raising your meat and making McHenry County a great place to live. This event is free but most of the stops are selling their fabulous products so don’t forget a cooler. Go to one farm or try and visit them all-you chose the route. See you at the farm!

09/24/2026

Are you curious about the gut - brain connection?

Do you want to learn how (and why) to make and eat sauerkraut… taste unique fermented products made by local entrepreneurs… AND learn the science behind fermentation?

Join us Oct 11 for this unique 3-part program!

Info and registration at link in bio.

Brought to you by the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation and us… the Carey Center for Agrarian Learning… both at McHenry County College

McHenry County College

09/23/2026

New this year!

Naturally McHenry County, IL is running a “Farm Stroll Five” challenge… visit at least 5 of the 11 farms on the Farm Stroll THIS Sunday, September 27, and you’ll have a chance to win some amazing prizes!
🎉🎉🎉
Lavender gift basket, farm- raised beef packages, gift certificates, all kinds of awesome items donated by farms on the STROLL this year.
Go to the Naturally McHenry County, IL page to download the app. They do all kinds of fun “trails” and “strolls”, so check it out.
Get more info on the Farm Stroll at
https://mchenrycfb.org/farmstroll

09/22/2026

The ginger experiment on the MCC Student Farm is going quite well! We sprouted it in trays in the greenhouse starting early April, then in early June it was transplanted into this high tunnel and for several months now has been growing with multiple lines of drip irrigation. First real harvest is next week! We will post an update soon 👀✌️

08/30/2026

The MCC Block Party - happening right now until 5 PM! - features a scavenger hunt that brings people over to the MCC student Farm. They are hunting for peppers in the high tunnel and trellised pear trees, and we have to say… it’s been delightful!
Also pictured is a quick snap of our produce stand. 🤘
Not pictured are the awesome musicians! and food trucks! AND the cucumber basil b**r that Kishwaukee Brewing made with some of our farm produce. Delicious 😋
McHenry County College
Kishwaukee Brewing Company

08/20/2026

This week’s donation to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry 🎉
90 pounds of organic veg from the MCC Student Farm

Crystal Lake Food Pantry
McHenry County College

08/13/2026

Meet our elderberry destemmer! We harvested over 18 pounds of perfectly ripe elderberries and this machine did all the hard work for us! Throw in the fruit with branches and all and it comes out clean and ready to process. This batch is heading to Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock to be added to a new b**r they are brewing—we can’t wait to taste it!
brewing company
student farm

07/26/2026

We are so happy with the garlic and onion harvest this year! Everything sized up really well. Timely rains, good soil tilth, and our skilled Farm Manager Matt all had a hand in this success.
💪💪💪
But why are they being stored in the CCAL classroom you ask?!? Good question!

We have exciting news to share... we've been awarded a Regional Food System Infrastructure grant from the Illinois Department of Ag to build a shared kitchen for farmers and food entrepreneurs! Private foundations also contributed much needed funds.
🙏🙏🙏
Our current wash-pack shed will be retrofit to include cold and hot processing kitchens, and cooler and freezer storage.
So.... we needed to vacate the wash-pack shed while its under construction.
THUS, the onions and garlic drying in the CCAL classroom. :)

Do you know a farmer or food entrepreneur that might need access to a commercial kitchen? Tell them to follow us here as we'll have more information coming soon!

Enjoy this cooler weather!

02/22/2026

TODAY 🥕🫑🍎💐🐖🐔
Doors are open now until 3 PM. Come check out 12 different farms offering CSA subscriptions in McHenry County. Cut flower subscriptions, vegetable boxes, meat, and eggs - imagine the bounty of local goods you could have this season!

CSA Fair
FREE to attend
Other farm goods for purchase today

organized by and

02/07/2026

Wow! Thank you to all who came to The Great Seed (and soil!) Event at MCC today.
So …many …people! So many plant people in the County and beyond. Hope springs eternal, indeed.

Offered in partnership with U of I Extension Master Gardeners in McHenry County.

Address

8900 US Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL
60012

Website

http://www.mchenry.edu/cal

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Growing at MCC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your school to be the top-listed school/college in Crystal Lake?