Calendar: Grow Your Own Garlic

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — The program Grow Your Own Garlic will be 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Kankakee County Extension office, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais.

Learn all about growing garlic and go home with two different varieties of garlic to grow.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/dc4bmk56.

Crop Diagnostic Training

WANATAH, Ind. — Pinney Purdue Crop Diagnostic Training will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT Sept. 8 at the Pinney Purdue Ag Center, 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah.

The training will include information on how to accurately diagnose crop problems for northwest Indiana, and offer new and alternative management strategies for corn and soybean growth and development.

Cost is $60, and includes the Corn & Soybean Field Guide. Lunch will be provided. Register at https://cvent.me/ewomEZ.

Horticulture Career Development

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Horticulture Career Development Event for 4-H and FFA members will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at the Horticulture Building, Purdue University, 625 Agriculture Mall Drive, West Lafayette.

This event is designed to teach youth skills necessary in the horticulture and landscape industry. Youth will identify ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables and nuts; evaluate plants based on their structural correctness; and will complete a knowledge exam. This is an invitational event. No area qualifier.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mpt8nnnd.

Seed Collecting, Saving Sowing

STERLING, Ill. — Learn the ins and outs of seed collecting, saving and sowing at Saturday with a Whiteside Master Gardener, 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 9 at the Whiteside County Extension office, 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling.

The key to low-maintenance and low-cost gardening is to grow a variety of plants that readily self-seed. Collecting seeds is not only fun, but also a great way to save money.

Monarch Migration Festival

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Monarch Migration Festival will be 10 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Sept. 9 at Lakeside Nature Center, Woodblock Road, Galesburg.

Register for your time to tour the educational booths and learn all about the monarch butterfly and its life cycle. A tagged monarch butterfly will be released every hour beginning at 10:55 a.m. Crafts and vendors will also be available.

Monarch Butterflies

CLINTON, Ill. — Learn about monarch butterflies, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Vespasian Warner Public Library, 310 N. Quincy St., Clinton.

This program will cover monarch life cycle, habitat in the landscape, and supportive garden plants.

4-H BBQ

MARTINSVILLE, Ill. — The 74th annual Clark County 4-H BBQ will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Martinsville Community Center, 122 W. Cumberland St., Martinsville.

Guests are welcome to use the BBQ drive-through or dine in upstairs at the Community Center. Tickets for the BBQ are now available for $10 (2 and under free) from any Clark County 4-Her. Tickets also are available at the Clark County Extension office, 15493 IL-1, Marshall.

This year’s meal will feature traditional barbecued pork as well as baked potato, green beans, bread, bottled water, and ice cream. Clark County 4-Hers will be providing entertainment every 15 minutes. Money raised will help support the ongoing activities for Clark County 4-H workshops, 4-H Show, and the annual carnival.

For more information, call the Extension office at 217-826-5422.

Beginning Forest Landowner Course

URBANA, Ill. — The virtual Beginning Forest Landowner Short Course will be 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 11. Topics will include:

• Introduction to Forest Management, Hank Stelzer, University of Missouri.

• Forest Management for Wildlife, Adam Janke, Iowa State University.

• Timber Harvesting, Lenny Farlee, Purdue University.

• Forest Management Plans, Chris Evans, University of Illinois.

In addition, there will be a choice of three field days in October.

Food Security Summit

CARTERVILLE, Ill. — The 2023 Southern Illinois Food Security Summit will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the John A. Logan College Conference Center, 700 Logan College Drive, Carterville.

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 $20 and includes lunch. Register at sicf.org/feedsi. For more information, contact Toni Kay Wright at 618-993-3304 or tkwright@illinois.edu.

Alpaca Ranch Tour

MAKANDA, Ill. — The Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch Tour will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 12 at the ranch, 1335 Hall Church Road, Makanda.

Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch was started by Judy Hoepker and Morgan Stevenson, a mother daughter duo, nearly a decade ago. Learn what it takes to care for alpacas, and see how they process the fiber, dye it and make it into products. You will get the chance to learn the art of needle felting by making a take-home craft.

Cost is $10 for this field trip, payable to Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch upon arrival. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5yxzmurb.

For more information about Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch, visit https://rollingoakalpacaranch.com/.

Preserve It Now

CROWN POINT, Ind. — The program Preserve It Now, Enjoy It Later will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT Sept. 12 at the Lake County Extension office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Learn the basics of boiling water bath canning in this hands-on workshop.

Cost is $30. Register at https://cvent.me/QDXbYW. For additional information and a listing of other food preservation workshops through Purdue Extension, go to https://bit.ly/393hmty.

Providing Pollinator Habitat

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The program Propagating Native Wildflowers: Providing Habitat and Resources for Bees and Other Pollinators will be 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Champaign County Extension Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

This presentation will look at growing specific pollinator-friendly wildflower species, illustrated with photos of various growth stages. A focus will be given to planting in urban areas where public acceptance and landscaping regulations are important considerations. Techniques for improving success will be shared, along with suggestions on managing aggressive native species. Selected combinations of native plants and the number of bee species they might support will be discussed.

Grass to Garden Series

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The virtual Grass to Garden series will be 8 to 10:30 a.m. ET Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4.

Learn how to get started with a community garden in your neighborhood.

NEPAC Field Day

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Purdue Extension in northeast Indiana will host a field day Sept. 13 for farmers and agribusiness professionals highlighting current agronomic research.

The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET at Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4821 E. 400 S, Columbia City.

Morning workshop topics will include:

• Update on Weeds in Field Crops, Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed science specialist.

• Field Applications with UAVs, Mark Carter, Purdue Extension educator and state UAV program coordinator

• Capturing Manure Nutrients through Application to Growing Crops, Glen Arnold, associate professor, field specialist, manure nutrient management, The Ohio State University.

• Update on Field Crops Diseases, Darcy Telenko, Purdue Extension field crops pathologist.

An optional afternoon demonstration session will be available on semi inspections, by Jason Ward, state trooper.

Food Pantry Summit

MATOON, Ill. — The Food Pantry Summit will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni Center, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon.

The event will include information about the Illinois Deer Donation Program and how to become a partnering pantry to receive ground venison. Register at go.illinois.edu/foodpantrysummit.

Tree Selection and Care

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Tree Selection and Care will be 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will discuss tree selection for your landscape, planting and tree care.

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

Swallowtail Butterflies

BUDA, Ill. — The program Swallowtail Butterflies and Planting for Pollinators will be 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Mason Memorial Public Library, 104 W. Main St., Buda.

Learn more about swallowtail butterflies of Illinois and their identification, plants that attract them, and their habits in the landscape. Tips and tools will be provided to assist you in planting your own space for pollinators.

Illinois Reptiles and Amphibians

KANKAKEE, Ill. — Reptiles and Amphibians of Illinois will be the topic of the online Wilderness Wednesday program, 6 p.m. Sept. 13.

The program is provided in partnership with the Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District.

Sustainable Living Series

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The virtual Sustainable Living Series will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Join Purdue University Extension, Michigan State University Extension, and the University of Florida Extension to learn how you can live and lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

• Explore topics such as energy, water and food, and learn how these three work together as a system.

• Delve into the U.S. economy and how our consumption of goods impacts our world.

• Learn how people across the country are making a difference for their communities.

Cost is $125. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdeatndf.

Landscaping with Native Plants

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Landscaping with Native Plants will be the topic of the online Lake County 2023 Garden Learning Series, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.

The series is presented by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, University of Illinois Extension, and Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Edible Native: Paw Paw

NORMAL, Ill. — The program Incredible Edible Native: Paw Paw will be presented by Doug Gucker, Illinois Extension local foods and small farms educator, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at The Refuge Food Forest, 701 E. Lincoln St., Normal.

Taste several varieties of this fruit, which has a tropical flavor. Register at https://tinyurl.com/39tc6p63.

Tools for Healthy Waterways

URBANA, Ill. — New Tools for Healthy Waterways will be the topic of the online Everyday Environment Webinar, 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 14.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is a multi-agency partnership that works to keep our waterways and everything downstream healthy. Explore the three new best practices that have recently been added to the list of recommended practices: water and sediment control basins, saturated buffers, and terraces. Finally, hear how farmers and landowners can apply these to help their bottom line and the environment.

Presenters will be Rachel Curry, Extension ag and agribusiness educator; and Nicole Haverback, watershed outreach associate.

Fall Invasives

FREEPORT, Ill. — The program Fall Invasive and Nuisance Plants in the Landscape will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Mogel Building in Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Freeport.

Fall is an excellent time to identify and work on controlling many of these plants in our landscapes, timber, and prairie areas. Woody invasive plants such as autumn olive, buckthorn, bush honeysuckle, and multiflora rose are easier to identify and manage this time of year.

Fall Harvest of Horticulture

ALEDO, Ill. — The program Fall Harvest of Horticulture will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Aledo Fire Station, 202 SE 2nd Ave., Aledo.

Celebrate the synergy of nature as you explore the world of sunflowers and the benefits of pollinators in our landscapes.

Penning the Past

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The program Penning the Past will be 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Sept. 14 at the Hub City Senior Center, 401 Cherry Ave., Rochelle.

Have you thought about writing your own life story as a way to share with others, or perhaps to leave a legacy? You probably remember hearing family stories from your parents, grandparents and other relatives, sharing how life was in the past. Extension Educator Kara Schweitzer will discuss ways to preserve your individual and family stories for future generations. No prior writing skills are needed.

This program is free and open to the public. Call 815-632-3611 to register.

Conservation Workshop

SIMPSON, Ill. — The sixth annual Southern Illinois Conservation Workshop will be 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 IL-145, Simpson. The workshop will include both indoor presentations and outdoor hands-on demonstrations and workshops.

Topics will include prescribed fires, cultivating mushrooms, tree identification and planting, managing forests for wildlife, pond management, and establishing small-scale prairies.

Cost is $20 and lunch is included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5xh7j6ty.