Calendar: Paint your pumpkin

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — 4-H Pumpkin Painting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N Webster St., Taylorville.

Bring your own pumpkin; paint and pumpkin decorations will be provided.

The event, for ages 8 and 18 in Christian County, is hosted by the Christian County Youth Leadership Team.

Sewing Seminar

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Join Purdue Extension Hamilton County for the annual Sewing/Quilting Seminar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Oct. 15 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

Learn new techniques from the guest speakers, browse vendor displays, and network with others who love all things sewing and crafts.

There will be a sewing room idea board this year. Bring photos of your sewing workspace to display for others to be inspired. You also can email the photos to bchuber@purdue.edu to be printed at the office ahead of time.

Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p3z6j94.

For more information, contact HHS Program Assistant Bernie Huber at 317-776-0854 or bchuber@purdue.edu.

4-H Open House

CHRISNEY, Ind. — The 4-H Open House will be from 4 to 6 p.m. CT Oct. 16 at the Spencer County Youth & Community Center, 1101 E CR 800 N, Chrisney.

The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about 4-H opportunities in Spencer County. Dinner and fun activities for the whole family will be included. 4-H enrollment information will be available as well as 4-H Club meeting schedules.

For more information, call 812-362-8066.

Scare at the Fair

NEW HARMONY, Ind. — Posey County 4-H presents Scare at the Fair from 4:30 to 7 p.m. CT Oct. 16 at the Posey County Fairgrounds Livestock Arena, 111 Harmony Township Road, New Harmony.

There will be a barrel train, games, bonfire, and costume contest. Bring lawn chair and marshmallow roasting sticks. 4-H enrollment information will be available.

For more information, call Amanda Bender at 812-838-1331.

Food Protection

NORMAL, Ill. — The Certified Food Protection Manager Class will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal.

Participants learn about basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens, time and temperature, and cleaning and sanitation.

Participants are required to attend both days of the class. The exam will take place on the second day.

Lumber Grading

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association’s Lumber Grading Short Course will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Oct. 17-21 at Wood-Mizer Inc., 8180 W. 10th St., Indianapolis.

The five-day workshop will include a thorough study and explanation of the National Hardwood Lumber Association Rules Book, emphasizing the basics of hardwood lumber inspection. This popular workshop gives yardmen, sawyers, edgermen, sales and office staff, and management-level personnel an introduction to lumber inspection.

Garden Workshop

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The Fall Garden Workshop will be from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Taking care of a few details now means fewer chores, pests and problems in the spring. This workshop will walk you through a fall garden checklist that gives you tips and a guide for fall gardening tasks.

Using Fresh Produce

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Using Fresh Produce will be at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18.

You have grown fresh produce all summer long, now what do you do with the excess produce like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and more? Explore simple ways of storing produce for longer shelf life and recipes like refrigerator pickles to make your produce go further.

The webinar, presented by Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Bruce Black, is part of the Four Seasons Gardening Series. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y3t7smmv.

Fall Decor

PRINCETON, Ill. — The Bureau County 4-H Fall Decor Workshop for ages 8 to 18 will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Bureau County Extension office, 850 E. Thompson St., Princeton.

Participants will create a decorative cinnamon broom and fall welcome sign. Cost is $5. To register, email des85@illiois.edu, or call the Extension office at 815-875-2878.

Kitchen Gadgets

GRANVILLE, Ill. — The program What’s New in the Kitchen will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Putnam County Library, 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

Technology and innovation in the home kitchen are ever changing. This workshop covers modern kitchen appliances, including the spiralizer, air fryer and the electric pressure cooker. University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Susan Glassman will discuss the purpose and functionality of each appliance, the economic and environmental benefit, safe operation and using the appliances to make healthier choices.

Glassman will conduct a cooking demonstration using the air fryer, and participants will receive handouts and recipes.

Growing Gourds

DANVILLE, Ill. — Join Pearson’s Melon Farm and Vermilion County master gardeners for the program Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Danville Public Library, 319 Vermilion St., Danville.

Learn how to grow pumpkins, squash and gourds, the different varieties, and their many uses.

Tree Assessment

FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Indiana Arborist Association Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Course will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Oct. 18-20 at Beeson Hall, 396 Branigin Blvd., Franklin.

The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification program provides an opportunity for professionals in the arboriculture industry to expand their knowledge through education and training in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health and longevity.

The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Course is a two-day educational course followed by a half-day assessment that includes both a written and field component. The course prepares the participant to take the TRAQ assessment to become qualified in International Society of Arboriculture Tree Risk Assessment. It is required that you attend the course and successfully complete the assessment in order to receive the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.

ServSafe Class

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — The ServSafe Food Manager class and exam will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, York Community Building, 191 N US HWY 231, Greencastle.

The training satisfies Indiana’s requirements to become a certified food protection manager.

IEHA Fun Night

ANGOLA, Ind. — Steuben County Extension Homemakers will celebrate Indiana Extension Homemakers Association Week with IEHA Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at the Steuben County Extension office, 317 S. Wayne St., Suite 1A, Angola.

Demonstrations will include homemade noodles and crafting. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Linda Bidlack at 260-668-1000, ext. 1400.

Money Workshop

BRAZIL, Ind. — The two-part workshop Where Does Your Money Go? will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 at the Brazil First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Meridian St., Brazil.

The program will be presented by Extension Educator Olivia Morgan. Register by contacting Morgan at 812-448-9041.

Utilizing Rainwater

MILAN, Ill. — The four-part workshop Utilizing Rainwater in the Home Landscape will be 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 at the Rock Island County Extension office, 321 2nd Ave. West, Milan.

Participants will learn methods for managing stormwater to reduce runoff and make good use of this precious resource on site. Stormwater management methods, plant selection, project design, and landscape maintenance will be discussed. At the conclusion of the course, participants will be invited to participate in the construction of a rain garden in the spring of 2023.

Stormwater runoff is water that is not absorbed into the soil and can come from homes, roads, commercial areas, and industrial sites. Traditional water management methods include curb and gutter, catch basins, and storm drains. These systems quickly move water away from the site on which it fell, transporting pollutants including oils, chemicals, and soils with it.

Learn how to keep this precious resource on site, helping to lower the impact on community systems while replenishing ground water and the role of stormwater in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

Cost is $40. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3mt2ucba.

Manure Management

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Join Purdue Extension for the webinar Manure Management and Utilization Technologies from 9 a.m. to noon ET Oct. 20.

Topics will include:

• Agricultural anaerobic digestion basics.

• Renewable natural gas on farms.

• Treating industrial organic waste with anaerobic digestion.

• Techno-economic and life-cycle analysis of a commercial anaerobic digestion plant.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n6ravf3.

Invasive Plants

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The program Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants will be noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Learn about native alternatives to common invasive landscape plants, the benefits of native plants, and ways to get involved. University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will review native plants that serve as food for butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.

Cook It, Craft It

CORYDON, Ind. — The program Grow It, Cook It, Craft It: 101 Uses for Fall Squash and Gourds will be the topic of the Master Gardener Fall Guest Speaker Series at 6 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at the Harrison County Extension office, 247 Atwood St., Corydon.

Tara Beckman, Harrison County health and human sciences educator, and Heidi Potter, Clark County agriculture and natural resources educator, team up to discuss gardening and growing fall squash and pumpkin varieties, how to prepare and cook healthy fall squash dishes, and provide creative ideas for pumpkin crafting and decorating.

Participants will taste some amazing autumn dishes, and take home a DIY pumpkin craft.