Baebler Educational Farm

Baebler Educational Farm A Monroe County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation owned property dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to appreciate natural resources. farm.

Vera and her husband Kenneth Baebler enjoyed many years on their rural Monroe Co. They enjoyed watching the birds and wildlife, fishing the ponds, and walking in the woods on their property. Vera, having a strong desire to share her love of nature, donated the farm to the Monroe County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation in March 2014. It was her wish to give the youth of Monroe County a place to explore and enjoy nature as much as she did.

After the couple drought years and the lakes being low they have become covered in various w**ds/plants. Nathan, a volu...
08/11/2026

After the couple drought years and the lakes being low they have become covered in various w**ds/plants. Nathan, a volunteer Mark and I have spent some time trying to control them. We have made some strides but have way more to go. We have had the most success emerged weeks like spatterdock and then algae.

Last night U of I specialist Nathan Johanning hosted a field tour at the farm. Subjects discussed were nitrogen and sul...
08/08/2026

Last night U of I specialist Nathan Johanning hosted a field tour at the farm. Subjects discussed were nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer, cover crops, w**d control in corn, nitrogen rates in corn and control of invasive species on the farm and in your woods. Rain kept us inside for the first hour but then we were able to get out an view the research plots. Dinner followed at Acorns.

Nathan Johanning is hosting an Illinois Agronomy Field Day at the farm on Thursday August 6th. See the specifics below....
07/28/2026

Nathan Johanning is hosting an Illinois Agronomy Field Day at the farm on Thursday August 6th. See the specifics below. Hope to see you there.

Two of our post for life-saving rings were broken off a couple weeks ago. Craig a new volunteer at the farm provided po...
07/10/2026

Two of our post for life-saving rings were broken off a couple weeks ago. Craig a new volunteer at the farm provided posts and lots of sweat to put up two new sturdy post. Life rings and blue bird houses were replaced. Thanks Craig!!

We have found trash in the ponds, around the boat shed and by benches. We do not have trash pickup and ask that you tak...
07/04/2026

We have found trash in the ponds, around the boat shed and by benches. We do not have trash pickup and ask that you take all your trash with you. Thanks for you help keeping the farm clean.

Check out what's blooming in the pollinator habitat. The bees are loving the purple prairie clover. Also blooming are ...
07/04/2026

Check out what's blooming in the pollinator habitat. The bees are loving the purple prairie clover. Also blooming are grey headed coneflowers, liatris (Blazing star), phlox, rose mallow, blue sage, wild white indigo, purple coneflower and rattlesnake master.

Our Wednesday volunteers continued the clean up this morning w**d eating the dam on Turtle pond and the front entrance, ...
05/13/2026

Our Wednesday volunteers continued the clean up this morning w**d eating the dam on Turtle pond and the front entrance, trimming many more trees and walkways, a little more mowing and spraying lespedeza. Thanks guys.

The iris in the rain garden are in full bloom as is the Penstemon.

Friday we had the wonderful folks from Farm Credit come out an help us with the spring cleanup. Nine workers did many t...
05/13/2026

Friday we had the wonderful folks from Farm Credit come out an help us with the spring cleanup. Nine workers did many tasks including spraying the pergola with Mold fighting fluids, areas were mowed around small trees, w**ding was done in the pollinator habitat, roadways and non crop areas were sprayed for w**ds, copper was put in the large pond to control alga, trees were trimmed, marigolds transplanted and zinnias planted and bush honeysuckle was sprayed in the woods. Everyone worked so hard and accomplished a lot. THANK YOU so much.

Took a few photos this evening of the prairie plants starting to bloom. Coreopsis, wild blue indigo, blue star, phlox a...
04/27/2026

Took a few photos this evening of the prairie plants starting to bloom. Coreopsis, wild blue indigo, blue star, phlox and penstemon. Call beautiful evening at the farm.

Also found a killdeer nest with 4 eggs by the shed......not in a great place but hopefully she will be successful hatching her eggs.

We are participating in IRAP youth turkey hunting this spring. The farm will be closed in the mornings until 1 pm April...
04/01/2026

We are participating in IRAP youth turkey hunting this spring. The farm will be closed in the mornings until 1 pm April 4-5 and again from April 17 -29. Please plan accordingly and come out and enjoy the afternoons at the farm.

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4022 JJ Road
Waterloo, IL
62298

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