Calendar: Learn about tree grading at Hardwood University

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — Hardwood University: Tree and Log Quality, Scaling and Measurement will be 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Sept. 7 at the Southeast Purdue Agriculture Center, 4425 East 350 North, Butlerville.

Participants will:

• Observe standing trees and discuss tree grades.

• Practice tree grading on selected trees.

• Fell a tree and discuss bucking decisions to maximize the value of each log.

• Discuss and practice log grading.

This workshop is part of the Hardwood University program. For more information, visit https://www.ihla.org/events.

Composting for the Homeowner

FREEPORT, Ill. — The program Composting for the Homeowner will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport.

University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment Educator Jay Solomon will discuss how to make different types of composting systems and which ones may best fit what you are looking for. He also will show participants pictures of composting systems he set up at Extension offices.

Soils 101 for Homeowners

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The program Soils 101 for Homeowners will be 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Dig into the basics of soil and learn about what makes the soil work when it comes to gardening.

Composting for the Homeowner

ELIZABETH, Ill. — The program Composting for the Homeowner will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment Educator Jay Solomon will discuss how to make different types of composting systems and which ones may best fit what you are looking for. He also will show participants the composting system he set up at the Jo Daviess County Extension office.

Cost is $5. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ycktnvfw.

Food Security Summit

MARION, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Food Security Summit will be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the City of Marion Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion.

Hunger is often hidden, but it is a huge issue in southern Illinois. In fact, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, more than 45,000 (14.3%) southern Illinoisans struggle with having enough food to eat.

The second annual Southern Illinois Food Security Summit will identify strategies to reduce food insecurity and build the health of the region. Stephen Ericson, executive director for Feeding Illinois, will be the keynote speaker highlighting nutrition security efforts and increasing healthy, fresh, local produce in our food banks and food pantries through the Farmer to Food Bank initiative. Participants will then hear presentations about various southern Illinois food access projects, including SNAP-EBT and Link Match programs at farmers markets, food insecurity screening and referral efforts, and taking a trauma-informed approach to address food security. Three agencies will share how their Food Security Summit mini-grant impacted local efforts. The day will end with participants working together to identify and prioritize strategies to support southern Illinois food access and nutrition security.

Food pantries, schools, healthcare providers, farmers, businesses, religious and community organizations, and community members interested in addressing food security are encouraged to attend. Cost is $15 and includes lunch. Register at www.FeedSI.org. For more information, contact Toni Kay Wright at 618-993-3304 or tkwright@illinois.edu.

Fall Walking Group

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — The Putnam County Fall Walking Group will meet Thursday mornings in September and October at Big Walnut Sports Park, 1562 S Co Rd 250 E, Greencastle.

Dates are 9 a.m. ET Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20 and Oct. 27. Open to any age and fitness level.

No need to register, just show up when you are able. For more information, call 765-301-7641.

Senior Summit

BENTON, Ill. — The Gwen Wynn Senior Summit will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Gwen Wynn Senior Center, 104 N. 10th St., Benton.

The free program will feature three informative sessions from local educators as well as lunch:

• Happy Hacks, 10 to 10:45 a.m.: Learn about the common barriers to positivity and personal well-being and find out more about simple science-backed principles and practices or “happy hacks” to boost both positivity and productivity as well as mood and attitude. Presented by Illinois Extension Family Life Educator Robin Ridgley.

• Fare Thee Well, 11 to 11:45 a.m.: Feed yourself like royalty. Fill your daily diet with the healthiest, freshest foods and learn how to keep them from spoiling. Presented by Southern Illinois Healthcare Second Act Health Education Coordinator Kelli Corner.

* Lunch, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Barbecue sandwich, fries, and drink from Pop’s BBQ.

• Looking for the Funny Side, 12:30 tp 1:15 p.m.: When was the last time you had a really good laugh? Learn about the connection between laughter, resiliency, and stress relief. Presented by Illinois Extension Family Life Educator Robin Ridgley.

Climate Change Impact

URBANA, Ill. — An online program about how Lake Michigan and its communities are impacted by climate change will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 8.

Lake Michigan provides valuable ecosystem services to the coastal communities along its shorelines. The program will:

• Summarize projected changes in climate and aquatic habitats in Lake Michigan.

• Describe key interactions between climate change and other stressors relevant to ecosystem services.

• Summarize how climate change can be incorporated into current lake management strategies.

The program will be presented by Dr. Paris Collingsworth, assistant research professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; and Great Lakes ecosystem specialist, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

Healthy Cents

FAIRFIELD, Ill. — Do you struggle with making your food dollars stay within your budget while trying to eat healthy? Join University of Illinois Extension’s Nutrition Education Healthy Cents program and learn how to eat healthy with limited resources.

The four-week program will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29 at Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, 200 W. Main St., Fairfield.

Master Gardener State Conference

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — The Illinois Master Gardener State Conference will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. Pre-conference tours to some of the best horticultural destinations in northern Illinois will be held the day before the conference on Sept. 8, including the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Cantigny Gardens in Wheaton, and Ball Seed Gardens in West Chicago.

Central Indiana Field Day

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. — The 2022 Central Indiana Field Day and Private Applicator Recertification Program will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at Fischer Farms, 3387 S 375 E, Shelbyville.

The $10 private applicator fees are covered by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council.

RSVP by calling 317-392-6460.

What’s on Hand

The free program Cooking From What’s on Hand will be 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at Heartline and Heart House, 300 Reagan Drive, Eureka.

Too often, people get stuck in a rut when it comes to cooking. We stock our cabinets and coolers with the same staples but never seem to have what we need to make the dishes we desire. Learn how to organize your kitchen to include common ingredients, which can be turned into quick, easy and healthy meals. You’ll get hands-on cooking experience, recipes and tastings.

Hoosier Hardwood Festival

LEBANON, Ind. — The Hoosier Hardwood Festival will be Sept. 9-11 at the Boone County Fairgrounds, 1300 E 100 S, Lebanon.

The three-day event will showcase logging equipment, heavy machinery, chainsaws, sawmill equipment, wood-working equipment and tools. Industry pros, hobbyists and landowners can benefit from education sessions and live demonstrations. There also will be lumberjack shows, woodworkers, artisans, crafters, beer garden, food and live entertainment.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit https://hoosierhardwoodfestival.com, or contact Liz Mershimer at 317-288-0008 or lizm@ihla.org.

Invasive Plant Control

DUBOIS, Ind. — Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Sept. 10 at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road, Dubois.

Learn how to control out-of-control invasive vegetation on your forest property. Practical, hands-on training will be provided by foresters and natural resource professionals.

Topics will include:

• Assessing your invasive plant problem – species, size, amount.

• Three pillars of invasive management – prevention, early detection, strategic management of existing infestations.

• What are your control options and deciding which methods are best for your situation.

• Herbicides — which to use, how to read the label, calculating rates, how to mix, application methods and techniques, timing, safety, laws and regulations.

• Funding and technical assistance.

• Hiring a contractor.

• Setting your goals and objectives: Put it all together in a plan.

Cost is $25. For more information, contact Jessica Condra at 812-482-1171, or Jessica.Condra@in.nacdnet.net.