April 28, 2025

Calendar: Bat Conservation

Daniel is quick to point out that it's illegal in Illinois to keep bats and skunks as pets. The Petersons are insured as well as licensed by the USDA as Class C Exhibitors, he said, the same reason why they are able to own skunks.

The online program Bat Conservation in the Mosaic Landscape of Illinois will be at 7 p.m. April 18. (Photo provided)

The online program Bat Conservation in the Mosaic Landscape of Illinois will be at 7 p.m. April 18.

Joy O’Keefe, assistant professor at University of Illinois and Extension wildlife specialist, will introduce you to the bats of Illinois and their preferred habitats, both natural and human-made. You will also learn about anthropogenic threats to bats of Illinois, such as disease, habitat loss, and human development.

Register at tinyurl.com/4fcwwpn2.

Garden Tool Maintenance

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Piatt County master gardeners will present the program Garden Tool Maintenance at noon April 19 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Learn about what to look for in purchasing quality tools, best methods for cleaning and sharpening garden tools, and best practices for storing garden tools.

Register at tinyurl.com/4zzrbm3d.

4-H Hummingbird Workshop

SPARTA, Ill. — Hummingbirds are making their way back to southern Illinois. Youth ages 8 to 18 will make a take-home, DIY hummingbird feeder, and learn all about these quick and interesting birds during a hummingbird workshop from 3:30 to 5 p.m. April 19 at the Randolph County Farm Bureau, 1403 N. Hillcrest Drive, Sparta.

Register by visiting tinyurl.com/mr3e62fe.

Eat What You Grow

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Eat What You Grow will be from 10 to 11 a.m. April 19 at the Montgomery County Extension office, #1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Learn to use plants as design features in a landscape, which can provide beauty and even function. Explore how to use your creativity with plants you can eat with your ornamentals.

The program also will be available online. Register at tinyurl.com/bdfr4x4b.

How to Use an Air Fryer

EUREKA, Ill. — Learn how to use an air fryer from 6 to 7 p.m. April 19 at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka.

Deep fat frying is out, air frying is in. Learn how to use an air fryer and the possible health benefits to using this appliance. You’ll receive recipes and watch a food demonstration.

To register, call the library at 309-467-2922.

Dining with Diabetes

SALEM, Ind. — Learn how nutrition can help manage Type 2 diabetes from 1 to 3 p.m. ET Thursdays, April 21-May 12, at the Washington County Extension office, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem. Adults with Type 2 diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons are invited to participate.

Cost is $40 per person or $65 per couple. Register at https://bit.ly/DWDApril2022.

4-H Livestock Q&A

Do you have questions about how to show your animal? Maybe you want to know if you need an ear tag or a tattoo, or how do you get your goat into 4-H Online.

Get answers to your 4-H livestock questions during a Zoom session at 6 p.m. ET April 21 at purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/3801120275.

This fun platform lets you ask your questions anonymously or you can drop them in the Zoom Chat Box.

For more information, contact Alex Mahrenholz at 812-354-6838 or amahrenh@purdue.edu.

Severe Weather Seminar

CARTERVILLE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Severe Weather Seminar will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21 at the Mees Center at John A. Logan College, 700 Logan College Drive, Carterville.

Duane Friend, state master naturalist and climate change specialist, will discuss facts and research surrounding severe weather and also share ways to be prepared when severe weather strikes.

Register for this free program by visiting go.illinois.edu/severeweatherseminar or calling 618-687-1727.

Swine Club meeting

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — If you are interested in learning about swine and possibly showing at the Putnam County 4-H Fair this summer, plan to attend the Swine Club meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. ET April 21 at the Greencastle Christian Church, 620 Primrose Ct.,Greencastle,

For more information, contact Kim Brattain at 765-720-3113.

Cattle Showdown

BRAZIL, Ind. — The Clay County 4-H Cattle Club will host the Clay County Cattle Showdown April 23 at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds, 6656 N. State Road 59, Brazil.

Check-in will be from 7 to 9 a.m. Show order will be Showmanship, Heifers and Steers. Prizes inlcude $400 for Grand Champion, $250 for Reserve Grand Champion, $150 for Third Overall, $100 for Fourth Overall. and $50 for Fifth Overall.

Entry fee is $45 per head.

For more information about the event, visit tinyurl.com/yyfcbs4r. For questions, contact Jason Bosstick at 765-914-4434 or triplebbbfarms@hotmail.com.