Calendar: Eco Markets and Carbon Dynamics Field Day

URBANA, Ill. — Eco Markets and Carbon Dynamics Field Day will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at University of Illinois College of ACES Energy Farm, 4110 S. Race St., Urbana.

The carbon market is an emerging entity and buzzword in the agriculture industry. Every day, different programs are being presented to farmers, landowners, and researchers, creating a lot of questions around carbon and farm operations.

Help clear the air and confusion by attending the Eco Markets and Carbon Dynamics Field Day with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Extension, and Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.

Spend the day with ISAP and university experts to:

• Learn what carbon markets are and the process of carbon sequestration.

• Find out more about the economic perspective of these markets.

• Discover what entities are in this industry space and how they operate.

• Explore the science and latest technology behind current methods for estimating or measuring carbon, including a tour of eddy covariance towers.

• Hear what research is being done to better understand carbon sequestration from different agricultural practices.

There is no cost to attend the field day, and a free lunch will be provided. Find the full field day agenda, including topics, presenters, and registration at go.illinois.edu/CarbonFieldDay.

Livestock Skillathon

URBANA, Ill. — The State 4-H Livestock Skillathon will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at the University of Illinois Livestock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana.

This event will help prepare members with the knowledge they will need for the Superior Young Producers Skillathon, which is held annually at the Illinois State Fair.

The contest will include a livestock knowledge quiz, hay judging, wool judging, and the identification of breeds, feeds, meat cuts, and equipment.

Entry fee is $5 and includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y746wbx2.

Jam Workshop

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Jam and Jelly Workshop will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET Nov. 4 at Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne.

Purdue Extension’s master home food preservation instructors will teach the basics of boiling water bath canning, and prepare a jam/jelly recipe to take home.

Cost is $30. Register at https://cvent.me/wYODvE.

Maple Field Day

CARMEL, Ind. — The Indiana Maple Syrup Association will host Maple Field Day 10 a.m. to noon ET Nov. 4 at Liebchen Sugarbush, 10531 White Oak Drive, Carmel.

This free field day will cover general tree health, tree identification, tapping, collecting and managing sap, options for processing sap, and filtering and bottling.

4-H Achievement

INA, Ill. — The Franklin County 4-H Achievement Program will be 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Rend Lake College Event Center, 68 N. Ken Gray Pkwy., Ina.

In addition to honoring Franklin County 4-H members for all of their hard work and accomplishments during the past 4-H year, participants will be giving back to the community by writing messages in cards to veterans and making birthday bags for youths.

A meal will be served at 1 p.m. For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/FranklinAwards, or call 618-439-3179.

4-H Achievement

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — The Jersey County 4-H Achievement Program will be 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Farm Credit Illinois, 27049 IL-16, Jerseyville.

The achievements of Jersey County 4-H members from the 2022-2023 program year will be recognized. Desserts and drinks will be provided.

Funny Side

OREGON, Ill. — The program Looking for the Funny Side: The Value of Humor will be 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 6 at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

Do you look for humor in your everyday life? Humor can be good for you because it has physical and psychological benefits. Learn how humor can help when dealing with stress and change.

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

Garden in a Jar

SAYBROOK, Ill. — The program Garden in a Jar will be 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at Cheney’s Grove Township Library, 204 S. State St., Saybrook.

Whether you’re new to food preservation or want to update your food preservation knowledge, join University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith for this free, timely, seasonal program about canning. You’ll learn the step-by-step process to canning with a boiling water bath canner, steam canner and pressure canner.

To register, call the library at 309-475-6131.

Dining with Diabetes

SPENCER, Ind. — Dining with Diabetes will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. a.m. ET Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Whistle Stop Café — Area 10 Agency on Aging, 36 Concord Road, Spencer.

Dining with Diabetes is a cooking school that offers a practical approach to eating well for those with type 2 diabetes. Adults with type 2 diabetes (or who are at risk) are invited to participate, as well as family members, caregivers, and support persons.

The schedule:

• Week 1, What is Diabetes? — Snacks and Appetizers.

• Week 2, Carbs and Sweeteners — Desserts.

• Week 3, Fats and Sodium — Main Dishes.

• Week 4, Putting It All Together — Side Dishes.

Register at https://cvent.me/LNXDm5. For more information, contact Jamie Jo Lowder at 812-829-5020, or lowder0@purdue.edu.

Invasive Species

BROWNSTOWN, Ind. — Purdue Extension in Jackson, Lawrence, and Washington counties will co-host the virtual series Managing Invasive Species in Your Lawn and Landscaped Areas from noon to 2 p.m. ET Nov. 7, 14 and 21.

The program is designed to provide the tools needed to protect lawns and landscapes by identifying and controlling invasive diseases, insects and plants. Participation is free, but preregistration is required at https://bit.ly/lawnlandscapeinvasives.

For more information, contact Purdue Extension — Jackson County at rbeckort@purdue.edu or 812-358-6101; Lawrence County at odavis@purdue.edu or 812-275-4623; and Washington County at dhowellw@purdue.edu or 812-883-4601.

Art 101

AUBURN, Ind. — Art 101: Embracing Your Creative Mess will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at Auburn Parks and Recreation, 1500 S. Cedar St., Auburn.

Learn how to create a work of art from sketching to framing and skills to improve your mental health through creativity. Participants will receive a full art kit and a frame for their artwork.

Cost is $20. Register at https://bit.ly/23Art101Register.

Food Insecurity

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The program Trauma and Food Insecurity will be 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Winnebago County Extension office, 1040 N. 2nd St., Rockford.

Trauma impacts all aspects of our lives, including our relationship with food. Not having consistent access to food can affect one’s food choices. Adults who seek food assistance may be reminded of past trauma. SNAP-Ed Educator Carol Erickson’s presentation will define trauma and its influence on securing and selecting healthy food options. Through a “trauma-informed” lens, participants will learn how to rethink how they can better serve individuals with unknown trauma. This program would be especially of interest to food pantry staff and volunteers, school staff, and individuals working with limited-income children and adults.

Pollinator Garden

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Pollinator Garden Design will be 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Carlinville Public Library, 510 N. Broad St., Carlinville.

Native plants offer a variety of ecological benefits for birds and insects. Join Andrew Holsinger, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, on how to incorporate native plants into your home landscape to add color, texture, and interest. Plant placement can be just as important as plant selection when it comes to pollinators.

Home Composting

FREEPORT, Ill. — The program Composting for the Homeowner will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Krape Park Community Building, 1799 Park Blvd., Freeport.

Extension Educator Jay Solomon will discuss the principles of turning yard waste into a usable product. He will cover the basics of composting, different types of composting systems, and selecting which ones may best fit your needs.

Vanilla Ice

FRANKLIN GROVE, Ill. — Learn about vanilla and use it to make homemade ice cream from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Winfred Knox Memorial Library, 112 S. Elm St., Franklin Grove.

Navigating Noise

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Navigating Noise: Clear Communication and Hearing Conservation will be noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 8.

Have you ever had difficulty hearing in noisy places like restaurants or parties? Hearing in noisy situations can be a challenge for some people despite having no diagnosis of hearing loss. This can cause people to avoid social gatherings and affect their mental health. Discover the science behind hearing in noisy situations.

Bird Count

MAKANDA, Ill. — The Christmas Bird Count Workshop will be 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Road, Makanda.

Learn about National Audubon policies, local Christmas bird count circles, and practice how to count. Attendance is recommended for first-time CBC volunteers.

Register at go.illinois.edu/2023ChristmasBC. For more information, contact Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling at kimrohli@illinois.edu.

Storing Food

STAUNTON, Ill. — Storing Food for Optimal Nutrition will be 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Staunton Community Hospital, 400 N. Caldwell St., Staunton.

Learn how to make your food last and your groceries go further. Find out what the expiration and sell-by dates really mean; how to make the most out of canning, frozen, and fresh foods; and do some taste testing.

Register for this free program by contacting Brandi Crawford, director of nursing, at 618-635-4218, or crawfordb@stauntonhospital.org.

Winter Sowing

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — The Winter Sowing Workshop with Kane County Master Gardeners will be 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 8 at the Kane County Extension office, 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Winter sowing is a cost-effective, low-maintenance way of starting plants outdoors, in winter, for next year’s garden. Seeds are planted in upcycled or recycled containers that act as “mini greenhouses.” Frost-tolerant native plants and perennials are great options to withstand the cold temperatures of early winter. Learn more about this technique, see a demonstration, and create your own sample to take home and get a jump on spring and fight the winter gardening blues.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/595de4pe.

Hort. for the Holidays

GREENVILLE, Ill. — Horticulture isn’t just for warm weather. You can incorporate horticulture into your home year-round. Illinois Extension Educator Chris Lueking will discuss bringing horticulture into homes this winter with the Hort. for the Holidays series:

• Thanksgiving Arrangement, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8, Smart Center, 102 N. 2nd St., Greenville; and 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Kaskaskia College Education Center, 1475 W. Whittaker St., Salem.

• Christmas Wreath, 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Case-Halstead Library, 550 6th St., Carlyle; and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Community Center, 455 S. Washington St., Nashville.

• Succulent for your Sweetie, 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at Farm Credit, 410 Potomac Blvd., Mt. Vernon.

Each session is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mry8jbab.

Sleep on It

SPENCER, Ind. — The program Sleep on It: Why Sleep Matters will be 10 to 11 a.m. ET Nov. 9 at the Owen County Extension office, 80 S. Washington St., Spencer.

The program will cover the benefits of sleep, risks of poor sleep, stages of sleep, when to contact a healthcare provider, barriers to quality sleep and ways to improve sleep quality.

For more information, contact Jamie Jo Lowder at 812-829-7606, or lowder0@purdue.edu.

Homes for Bats

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Providing Natural and Artificial Homes for Bats will be 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 9.

Most bats use trees as their daytime roosts during spring, summer and fall. If a location has good places for bats to hunt for food, what attracts them to roost on the property? Learn what makes good natural and artificial roost habitats for bats and other ways to support the local bat population.

Hot and Fast

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Hot and Fast: Cooking with an Air Fryer will be 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Allerton Public Library District, 4000 Green Apple Lane, Monticello.

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen countertop appliance because they are easy to use, energy-efficient, cook a variety of foods, and clean up easily. If your air fryer sits unused or you are considering purchasing one, plan to attend University of Illinois Extension’s air fryer class.

Participants will enjoy recipe demonstrations and food samples. Register by calling the library at 217-762-4676, or by emailing staff@monticellolibrary.org.

Charcuterie Boards

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Healthy Holiday Charcuterie Boards will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Winnebago County Extension office, 1040 N. 2nd St., Rockford.

Charcuterie boards are fun to eat and make the perfect appetizer for entertaining. Treat your family and friends to a healthy charcuterie board this season by making simple modifications. Learn what a charcuterie board is, what elements go into making a traditional board, and how you can enjoy them without feeling guilty.

Gnome Craft

AUBURN, Ind. — Learn how to make a Christmas gnome craft at 6 p.m. ET Nov. 9 at the DeKalb County Office Building, 215 E. 9th St., Auburn.

Cost is $5. Register by calling Linda Wilson at 260-909-0358.

Recognition of Excellence

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The McLean County Recognition of Excellence will be 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Miller Park Pavilion, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington.

Recognized will be milestone leaders, Leader of the Year, Cloverbuds, first-year, fifth-year and 10-year members, County Record Award winners, Illinois State Experience Award winners, Mosbacher Scholarship recipients, and the Hall of Fame Award recipient.

Dinner will be provided. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2y3ta79c. For more information, call 309-663-8306 or email Michelle Vincent at mavincen@illinois.edu.

Turf Care

LEBANON, Ind. — The Turf & Lawn Care Professionals Clinic will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Nov. 10 at the Boone County Fairgrounds, 1300 E 100 S, Lebanon.

Topics will include:

• Turf Disease Diagnostics.

• Soil Health and Recovery — Composting and Creating Your Own Nutrient Bank and More.

• Insect Invasive Species — Asian Jumping Worm and Spotted Lantern Fly.

• Office of Indiana State Chemist Regulatory Rule Updates.

• Railroad Tracks and Utility Wires — Nothing to Get Tangled With.

• Invasive Species Treatment and Management.

Cost is $40; lunch will be provided. Register at https://purdue.link/Turf&LawnClinic or call 765-482-0750.