Calendar: Trees and Storm Damage

The online program Trees and Storm Damage will be from 2 to 3 p.m. May 11. Trees are wonderful plants to incorporate into our landscape and have in our communities, but what happens when Midwestern weather events threaten the health and safety of these plants? Snow and ice can weigh heavy on trees resulting in branch failure. Wind events can whip and twist limbs, influencing the structural stability of tree canopies. Two diametrically opposed climate events of drought and flooding may not produce immediate symptoms of stress but may emerge over time.

Emily Swihart, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, will discuss how weather impacts trees and how to respond in the aftermath of a storm to protect people and treat storm-damaged trees.

Emergency Animal Management

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Purdue Extension is offering an Emergency Animal Management Program from noon to 4 p.m. ET May 11 at the Whitley County 4-H Center, 680 W. Squawbuck Road, Columbia City.

The purpose of the program is to provide Whitley County first responders a basic understanding of farm animal behavior and handling practices in order to better prepare to respond to an incident involving livestock.

Topics to be covered include:

• Escaped animal handling.

• When, how, and where to use deadly force.

• How an animal thinks.

• Handling animals and people under stress.

The free program includes a meal sponsored by the Whitley County Farm Bureau.

Great Tomatoes

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — The free program Growing Great Tomatoes will be from 2 to 3 p.m. May 10 at the JCH Wellness Center, 412 Maple Summit Road, Jerseyville.

University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will discuss common tomato-growing problems and how to avoid them.

Real Colors

FLORA, Ind. — Volunteers are invited to a fun evening learning about Real Colors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET May 11 at the 4-H Building, 800 E. Main St., Flora.

Real Colors is a user-friendly, four-color personality assessment designed to help you understand others, identify strengths and best ways to communicate.

Compost Program

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and the University of Illinois Extension, Lake County, present the online program Compost: How to Make the Most of It from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 11.

The program is part of the Lake County 2022 Garden Learning Series.

Register at tinyurl.com/2p9cpde6. Zoom link, slides and handouts will be sent out via email the week of the presentation.

Pressure Test

FREEPORT, Ill. — A Pressure Canner Dial Testing Clinic will be from 1 to 3 p.m. May 12 at the Stephenson County Extension office, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.

Before using your pressure canner, have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Testing will ensure your pressure canner reaches the appropriate pressure needed to process low-acid foods, such as vegetables and meats, safely. Over time, a pressure canner’s dial gauge will become inaccurate, resulting in either reading too high or too low. If the pressure gauge reads too high, it will lead to under-processing resulting in unsafe foods. This is because the high temperature needed to destroy harmful microorganisms, such as the botulism toxin, can only be reached under pressure. If the dial gauge reads too low, your product will lose quality due to over-processing, and foods may become mushy.

If the dial gauge reads up to two pounds high or low, slight pressure adjustments can be made without replacing the dial gauge. However, if it differs by more than two pounds, the gauge must be replaced.

The only way to know if your pressure gauge is accurate is to have it tested. University of Illinois Extension is holding Pressure Canner Testing Clinics beginning this May and will run through July. These events will be held at the local Extension offices, with several dates to choose from. Bring in your pressure canner lid with the gauge attached. Staff will inspect the lid, gasket, and gauge for accuracy and provide you with an assessment.

Freezing Harvest

FREEPORT, Ill. — The program Yes, You Can! Freezing Your Summer Harvest will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 12 at the Stephenson County Extension office, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.

Freezing is one of the easiest and least time-consuming methods of preserving food. Best of all, it allows us to keep the natural color, fresh flavor, and nutritional qualities of most foods better than other known food preservation methods.

Cost is $5. Register at tinyurl.com/2p8j77um.

Talent Show

TIPTON, Ind. — The annual Area 8 4-H Performing Arts Contest will be at 7 p.m. ET May 13 at the Tipton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1200 S. Main St., Tipton.

Plant Sale

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Master Gardener Plant Sale with the Pros will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET May 14 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

A wide assortment of plants will be available, including annuals, perennials and houseplants. Area vendors will be at the event.

For more information, contact Terri Theisen at ttheisen@purdue.edu or 260-481-6826.