URBANA, Ill. — The online program Intro into Prescribed Burns will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 13. Prescribed fire can be complex and difficult in many respects, but also results in numerous benefits.

This presentation will provide an overview of prescribed fire, including reasons to burn, burn plans, preparations, weather considerations, permits, training options, tools, risks, hazards, and effects on vegetation and wildlife. Resources will be provided for additional information, training opportunities, and volunteering for those who are interested in learning more.

4-H STEAM Challenge

DU QUOIN, Ill. — In honor of National 4-H week, youth are invited to think creatively to design a unique project during the STEAM Challenge from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 655 Executive Drive, Du Quoin.

This year’s theme is Community Awareness. What type of project related to science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics can improve your community?

This event is open to all youth in fifth through eighth grade to compete for great prizes. For a full list of rules, visit go.illinois.edu/STEAMRules. Register at go.illinois.edu/STEAMChallenge.

For more information, email Carrie Eldridge at carriee@illinois.edu.

Dodgeball Tournament

BRAZIL, Ind. — The Clay County Fall Fest Dodgeball Tournament will be at 7 p.m. ET Oct. 8 at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds, 6656 IN-59, Brazil.

Entry fee is 10 canned food items per team. All cans will be donated to a local food pantry.

Turn in registration forms by 6 p.m. the day of the event. Forms will be available there or you can email teams to aevinger@purdue.edu beforehand. For more information, call Clay County Extension office at 812-448-9041.

Cake Decorating

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Learn about different techniques to use when decorating a cake from Sarah Bakes Cakes. The Cake Decorating workshop will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

The workshop is for beginner and intermediate cake decorating levels. Participants will take home a pack of six decorated cupcakes.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdf7f256.

4-H Barn Quilt

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The 4-H Barn Quilt activity will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Participants ages 10 to 18 will learn about the history of barn quilts and make their very own barn quilt to take home.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/24ymxsmt.

Pumpkin Extravaganza

JONESBORO, Ill. — Pumpkin Extravaganza will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, 521 N. Main St., Jonesboro.

Families are invited to come to the pumpkin-themed outdoor event to learn all about pumpkins, taste pumpkin treats, make pumpkin crafts, and play fun games. Activities are designed for ages 5-17, and all youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Fall Landscape Acrylics

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Fall Landscape Acrylics will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m Oct. 10 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Create a fall landscape with acrylic paint in this workshop led by Diane Singler.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/379uue2f.

Finger Knitting

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The program Learning to Finger Knit will be 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

No experience necessary for this free program for ages 8 to 19. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3h7z9bye.

It’s Robotics Time

HENRY, Ill. — Join Marshall-Putnam 4-H STEM for the program It’s Robotics Time from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Marshall-Putnam Extension office, 509 Front St. #4, Henry.

Youth ages 8 to 18 will learn the basics of robotics control and programming using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 platform. This activity is highly recommended for those wishing to join the Marshall-Putnam 4-H Robotics competition team as first-time members in the spring.

This program is free to current 4-H members, $5 for non-members. Register at https://tinyurl.com/38354fd6.

Mindfulness and Money

URBANA, Ill. — The Lessons for Living online program Mindfulness and Money will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 11.

Mindfulness can play an important role in our everyday decision-making. It centers on focused attention, remaining open, and practicing acceptance. This lesson will focus on positive money habits that have long-term benefits for your health and wellness.

Cooking for One or Two

WATERLOO, Ill. — The program Cooking for One or Two will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo.

Do you get tired of eating the same thing over and over? Single-person households are on the rise and if you find yourself in this situation, do not despair. Learn how cooking for one or two can be creative and rewarding without having a week’s worth of leftovers.

Pest Detectors

INDIANAPOLIS — The free Early Pest Detector Workshop will be at 10 a.m. ET Oct. 12 at Crown Hill Funeral Home, Celebration Hall, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis.

Professor Cliff Sadof of Purdue University and Carrie Tauscher, arboretum director of the Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, will show you the best ways to look for and report invasive species and provide a chance to practice reporting on the Crown Hill grounds.

Whether you’re a master gardener, professional forester, or a concerned citizen, you will learn something about Indiana forest pests. Arborist CEUs and pesticide certification available.

It’s Fall About Food

RISING SUN, Ind. — The program Let’s Get Cooking: It’s Fall About the Food will be at 10 a.m. ET Oct. 12 at the Ohio County Extension office, 412 Main St., Rising Sun.

Pumpkin and apple recipes will be featured. Cost is $5, which includes recipe packet and samples.

RSVP by calling 812-438-3656.

Parents Forever

SPENCER, Ind. — The program Parents Forever will be from 1 to 5 p.m. ET Oct. 13 at the Owen County Extension office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Families face many challenges and sometimes have to deal with transitions. Parents Forever is an educational program for families experiencing divorce, separation, or a change in child custody.

For more information or to register, call Jamie Jo Lowder at 812-829-5020. The program also will be available online.

Use a Slow Cooker

EUREKA, Ill. — The program Learning How to Use a Slow Cooker will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka.

Join Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith to learn how to save time by using your slow cooker to produce a variety of delicious, family-friendly meals. Participants will take home a packet of recipes, and enjoy some slow-cooker tastings.

Cost is $3. Register by calling the library at 309-467-2922.

Autumn Vegetable Garden

ELIZABETH, Ill. — The program Falling Into the Autumn Vegetable Garden will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty will discuss the things you can do this fall to help prepare your garden better for next spring.

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

Chainsaw Safety

SIMPSON, Ill. — Beginner Chainsaw Safety and Forest Stand Improvement Training will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 IL-145 N, Simpson.

Participants will be trained in safe use of chainsaws, safety gear to use, chainsaw cleaning/maintenance and an opportunity to practice these skills with experts. This is a workshop and not a certification course.

Wear long pants and sturdy boots. There will be personal protective equipment and chainsaws on hand to use, but participants can bring their own chainsaws and PPE, including chaps, helmets, hearing and eye protection. Bring a sack lunch, as lunch will not be provided.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/45mujxeh. For questions, email cwevans@illinois.edu or call 618-695-3383.

Maple Syrup Field Day

BLOOMFIELD, Ind. — Maple Syrup Field Day will be 10 a.m. to noon ET Oct. 14 at Four Flags Farm, 10552 E. Dobson Road, Bloomfield.

Topics will include maple syrup production, mushrooms, and non-timber forest products.

For more information, visit https://www.indianamaplesyrup.org.

Open Beef Show

RISING SUN, Ind. — The Ohio County Open Beef Show will be 11:30 a.m. ET Oct. 15 at the Ohio County Fairgrounds, 1414 Fairgrounds Road, Rising Sun.

Entry fee is $35. Prizes are $400 for Grand Champion Prospect Steer, $200 for Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Steer, $400 for Grand Champion Prospect Heifer, and $200 for Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Heifer .

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3mj57s, or call Michael Kirkpatrick at 812-655-2056.

Calendar: Introduction to prescribed burns