Calendar: Chick It Out registration opens

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Registration opens Jan. 16 for the McLean County 2023 Chick It Out Embryology Program, which will run April 4-28.

University of Illinois Extension, 4-H McLean County, and McLean County Ag in the Classroom offer an opportunity for teachers to teach an embryology unit in the classroom. This program is a long-standing tradition that successfully promotes agriculture in McLean County schools.

When teachers register for Chick it Out, they will get the research-based embryology curriculum, a dozen fertilized chicken eggs, and feed for the chicks after they hatch. Also available for checkout are incubators, egg turners, candlers and embryology resources.

Winter Seed Sowing

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The program Winter Seed Sowing will be from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Learn about winter sowing seeds for your garden. Create your own outdoor milk jug greenhouse with seeds.

The program will be repeated from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at the DeWitt County Extension office, 8425 Katie Road, Clinton.

Scoop on Sodium

GRANVILLE, Ill. — The program Get the Scoop on Sodium will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Putnam County Public Library, 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

Susan Glassman, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator, will discuss what foods have more sodium, the DASH Diet, how quickly identify low-sodium foods, the best salt to use, salt substitutes, and no-salt flavorings.

Participants will receive a recipe for heart-healthy rainbow rice.

The program will be repeated from 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Ohio Public Library, 112 N. Main St., Ohio. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yyr45j6c.

Grow Your Own Mushrooms

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — The program Grow Your Own Mushrooms will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Kankakee County Extension office, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais.

Learn how to grow nutritious mushrooms with materials in your recycling can.

Cost is $10 and includes all supplies. Register at https://tinyurl.com/23cnpdmr.

Communicating for Ag’s Future

AUBURN, Ind. — The program Communicating for Agriculture’s Future will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Jan. 18, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 in the Exhibit Hall at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds, 708 S. Union St., Auburn.

The workshop for youth in grades 9-12 will focus on using graphic design concepts to promote new advances in the world of agriculture. The need for effective agriculture communicators in the workforce has been growing fast in the last few years, and this is the chance to explore a career option.

The program will teach high school-aged youth:

• How to make large-scale academic posters that catch the public’s attention.

• How to use APA citations and research effectively.

• How to effectively communicate to the public through digital media.

Diet Dilemmas

WATERLOO, Ill. — Diet Dilemmas will be the topic of the Wellness Wednesdays program from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 18 at the Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo.

The session will be led by Kris Juelfs, Extension nutrition and wellness educator and registered dietitian. No cost or registration required.

For questions, contact Juelfs at 618-939-3434 or kjuelfs@illinois.edu.

Conservation Cropping Seminar

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 2023 Conservation Cropping Seminar will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Illinois Department of Agriculture Building, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield.

Learn how to build natural resilience to weather extremes, pests, and weeds using sustainable techniques that improve soil health and keep your farm profitable.

The schedule includes:

• 9 a.m. — Welcome by Illinois Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II.

• 9:15 a.m.— Corn Yield Gap Reduction Strategies for Cover Crop Systems by Dr. Shalamar Armstrong, Purdue University.

• 10:20 a.m. — Making Money with Soil Health by Mitchell Hora, Continuum Ag.

ª 11:10 a.m. — Using Stewardship Practices in Indiana to Improve On-Farm Sustainability by Betsy Bower, agronomist, Ceres Solutions Cooperative.

• 12:45 p.m. — Roots of Climate Mitigation by Philip Benfey, Hi Fidelity Technologies.

• 1:50 p.m. — Farmer Panel Discussion: Illinois farmers discuss their operations, lessons learned.

• 2:35 p.m. — Illinois Climate Smart Initiative by Dr.. Michael Woods, manager, Division of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Integrated Pest Management

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Integrated Pest Management for Backyard Vegetable Gardens will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Andrew Holsinger, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, will discuss diagnosing vegetable plant samples, and IPM techniques to deal with insects, disease, and weeds affecting garden production.

The program also will be offered online. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mswmz44u.

BQA Training

BAYLIS, Ill. — Beef Quality Assurance Training will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 19 at the JWCC Ag Education Center, 37803 IL-104, Baylis.

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers with knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase — and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry. BQA certifications are active for three years.

The training is free to Illinois Beef Association members. Nonmembers pay $20, which includes dinner and training materials.

Register at https://www.illinoisbeef.com/programs-events/bqa/bqa-registration. For more information, call the Illinois Beef Association at 217-787-4280 or visit illinoisbeef.com.

Bulb Basics

BELVIDERE, Ill. — The program Bulbs: Basics, Myths, and Truths will be from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 20 at the Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Learn the basics of bulb care as well as bust some of the myths we always thought were true with the latest research information presented by Barb Wych, Boone County master gardener.

WinterFest 2023

GENOA, Ill. — WinterFest 2023 will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Natural Resource Education Center, Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 IL-72, Genoa.

University of Illinois Extension and DeKalb County Forest Preserve offer this free event for families to get out and have fun.

Illinois Extension staff and volunteers will provide a variety of educational and recreational activities for the whole family. “This is a festival about the season of winter, so it doesn’t matter if we have snow,” said Illinois Extension Educator Peggy Doty.

Hoo Haven will be doing a presentation on Birds of Prey. This is a great opportunity to see a hawk and an owl up close.

For a complete schedule, visit https://tinyurl.com/mtk958yk.

Cooking Under Pressure

AUBURN, Ind. — The program Cooking Under Pressure for children in grades 3-12 will be from 6 to 8 p.m. ET Jan. 23 at the DeKalb County Office Building, 215 E. Ninth St., Auburn.

Learn how to use an electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot) and create a fun recipe. Mini 4-H members may attend if a parent/guardian can stay.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2hzmsjnj.

Arborist Conference

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Arborist Association’s 76th Annual Conference will be 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25, and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 E. 21st St., Indianapolis.

There will be over 30 educational sessions to choose from with plenty of CEUs available for the credentialed arborist. The sessions will include information about urban forestry, utility vegetation management, pest management, and arboricultural practices.

For schedule and registration information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y7d5vevb.