AROMA PARK, Ill. — Learn about pruning fruit trees at 10 a.m. Aug. 20 at Kankakee River at Riggs Grove, 199 Boat Club Road, Aroma Park.

University of Illinois Extension master gardeners along with Kankakee Elks started an edible trail along the Kankakee River. It’s about time for these fruit and nut trees to be pruned.

Join pruning experts from Midwest Fruit Explorers for a fun workshop all about fruit tree pruning. This workshop is for the homeowner with a few fruit trees. Learn late-summer pruning techniques with hands-on learning.

This event is free, but pre-registration is required. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p8u322c.

Gardening at Yost House

PONTIAC, Ill. — The program Gardening at Yost House will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 20. Be inspired by the historic gardens at Catherine V. Yost Museum and Arts Center, 298 W. Water St., Pontiac, and learn how this historic space is feeding the community.

The master gardeners of Livingston County are growing food for families in need with the Giving Garden program.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/hpz6kv9u.

Greener Pastures Field Day

DALE, Ind. — Greener Pastures Field Day will be from 5 to 8 p.m. CT Aug. 23 at Steckler Farms, 21477 N CR 600 E, Dale.

Topics and speakers will include: Forage Improvement and Species Selection, Dr. Keith Johnson, Purdue Agronomy Department; Livestock Watering Systems, Robert Zupancic, USDA NRCS; Intensive Grazing with Multiple Animal Species, Jason Tower, Purdue SIPAC; Soil Life and Grazing Effects, Victor Shelton, retired NRCS state agronomist; and Farm Overview and Practices, Zach Tischendorf.

Cost is $5 and a meal will be provided.

Register by contacting your county SWCD office: Spencer County, 812-649-9136, ext. 3; Dubois County, 812-482-1171, ext. 3; Perry County, 812-547-4686; and Warrick County, 812-897-2840, ext. 3.

For your comfort, bring a lawn chair.

Timber Sales 101

DUBOIS, Ind. — The Timber Sales 101 workshop will be from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Aug. 24 at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, 11371 East Purdue Farm Road, Dubois.

This workshop is set up to discuss with private landowners and industry professionals various ways in which to market timber and the industries, agencies, and professionals involved.

This workshop is part of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association’s Hardwood University program. More details and a registration form can be found at https://www.ihla.org/event/timber-sales-101.

• 9:15 to 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Program Introduction, Rado Gazo, Purdue University.

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Considerations for Selling Timber, Lenny Farlee, Purdue University. This presentation will summarize various considerations when selling or marketing timber, including basic background, and introduce some tax implications.

• 10:30 to 10:45 a.m., How Can a DNR District Forester Help You?, Travis Dunn, forester, District 11.

• 10:45 to 11:15 a.m., The Role of a Private Forestry Consultant and What to Expect When a Logger Comes, Doug Brown.

• 11 to 11:30 a.m., Working with an Industry Forester and Logger, Matt Leibering.

• 11:30 to 11:45 a.m., Experience of a Woodland Owner after a Recent Timber Sale, Jim Birkhimer.

• 11:45 a.m. to noon, Discussion/questions.

• Noon to 1 p.m., Lunch.

• 1 to 1:30 p.m., Update on Carbon Credits., Liz Jackson, Purdue University. Carbon credit issues have recently been introduced. What are they and how do they relate to you?

• 1:30 to 3: p.m. Field trip to nearby SIPAC woods. Practical observation and discussion of marking up trees for harvest, Don Carlson, Purdue University forester.

Cost is $40 and includes catered lunch and a tree measuring stick.

Guided Tree Walk

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Learn about what trees to utilize in the landscape and avoid the pitfalls of planting a tree in the wrong site during a guided tree walk from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 at Carlinville Square at the gazebo, Carlinville.

Crop Research Field Day

FREEPORT, Ill. — Join Highland Community College Agriculture and the University of Illinois Extension for the Crop Research Field Day from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Highland Community College Research Plots, West Stephenson Street, Freeport.

• 10:10 a.m., Soybean Variety Trials: Renk Seeds, Justin Engelking; Hi-Soy, Adam Kryder; Dyna-Gro/Brevant, Mike Tichler; Pioneer, Jace Kempel; Champion, Kayla Blum; Croplan, Bri Kahl; and Cornelius , Mark Todd.

• 10:30 a.m., U of I Extension Rootworm Trial Update, Phillip Alberti, Extension educator, commercial agriculture.

• 10:45 a.m., Soybean Tillage and Product Trials, Adam Kryder, Stephenson Service Company.

• 11 a.m. - U of I Extension Disease Update, Chelsea Harbach, Extension educator, commercial agriculture.

• 11:15 a.m., U of I Extension Drone Technology, Dennis Bowman, Extension educator, commercial agriculture.

• 11:30 a.m., HCC Planter and Sprayer Technology, Josh Zuck, Prairie State Tractor.

• 11:45 a.m., Pollinator Plots: Aaron Dinderman, Stephenson SWCD; Chas Heeren, Carroll County Farm Bureau; Victoria Hansen, Stephenson County Farm Bureau.

• Noon: Lunch, sponsor networking and giveaways

NEPAC Field Day

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Purdue Extension in Northeast Indiana will host a field day from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET Aug. 25 at the Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4821 E. 400 S, Columbia City.

The field day is designed for farmers and agribusiness professionals and will highlight current agronomic research. Registration, refreshments and vendor visits will be from 8 to 8:30 a.m. ET. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with lunch provided. Optional afternoon sessions will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Workshop topics and presenters include:

* Weed Control Update, Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist.

* Field Crop Disease In-Season Update, Darcy Telenko, Purdue Extension field crops pathologist.

* Corn Production Update, Daniel Quinn, Purdue Extension corn specialist.

* Hot Topics in Soybean Production, Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension soybean specialist.

* Anhydrous Ammonia Safety, Ann Kline, Purdue Extension educator.

Optional afternoon demonstration sessions will be available on anhydrous ammonia safety and on the use of a spray drone.

Participants can receive private applicator recertification program credit. Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance will be sponsoring the individual $10 fee. Commercial applicator CCHs and Certified Crop Adviser CEUs are anticipated to be available.

To register for this free program, call the Whitley County Extension office at 260-244-7615. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2p9ydk6c.

How to Use an Air Fryer

EUREKA, Ill. — Learn how to use an air fryer from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka.

Air frying is all the rage right now, but learning how to use your new air fryer can feel overwhelming. Join Illinois Extension Educator Jenna Smith to learn how to use an air fryer while also learning about the possible health benefits to using this appliance. You will watch a food demonstration, as well as receive recipes and tips on purchasing, frying, and cleaning the air fryer.

The cost to attend this program is $3 and registration is required. To register, call the Eureka Public Library at 309-467-2922.

Garden Centerpieces

ELIZABETH, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension Program Coordinator Nikki Keltner will present Centerpieces from the Garden from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Keltner will demonstrate how to take fresh-cut flowers from the garden and make a beautiful centerpiece. Resources on cut flower care and helpful tools will be discussed along with information about what garden flowers make the best cut flowers. Following the discussion and demonstration, participants will make a centerpiece that they can take home with them.

Cost is $15. Register for this Falling Into Autumn Gardening Series program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ycktnvfw.

Happy Hour Hike

URBANA, Ill. — The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists and Champaign County Climate Coalition invite you to a Happy Hour Hike from 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at Crystal Lake Park Large Pavilion near the Lake House, 206 W. Park St., Urbana.

Happy Hour Hikes are held on the final Friday of the month at local nature areas. These meet-ups are designed to be low-key opportunities to enjoy a walk and talk with conservation-minded folks. Whether you are just getting curious about our local environment or it is your full-time job, anyone is welcome to join. You will be in the company of others who enjoy sustainability and climate-related activities and conversation. There is no registration necessary, just swing by the meeting location at 5 p.m.

More information can be found on the Champaign County Climate Coalition Facebook Page.

Union County Fair

ANNA, Ill. — Union County Fair, Aug. 19-28, 185 Herman Wright Drive, Anna; www.unioncountyfair.net; unioncofair@frontier.com; 618-833-8923.

Bureau County Fair

PRINCETON, Ill. — Bureau County Fair, Aug. 24-28, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton; www.bureaucountyfair.com; info@bureaucountyfair.com; 815-875-2905.

Will County Fair

PEOTONE, Ill. — Will County Fair, Aug. 24-28, 710 S. West St., Peotone; www.willcountyfair.org; willcountyfair@sbcglobal.net; 708-258-9359.

Du Quoin State Fair

DU QUOIN, Ill. — Du Quoin State Fair, Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 655 Executive Drive, Du Quoin; www.agr.state.il.us; 618-542-1515.

Calendar: Pruning Fruit Trees