Calendar: Green your Halloween

ZION, Ill. — The Pumpkin Smash will be 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Zion-Benton Township High School, 3901 21st St., Zion.

Fall is the pumpkin’s time to shine, but what happens when it is time to say goodbye to the short-lived jack-o’-lanterns? Green your Halloween by recycling pumpkins into compost at this free outdoor pumpkin smash.

For more information, contact Alex Landberg at landberg@illinois.edu.

Find the full list of Extension Pumpkin Smash events happening across the state in early November at go.illinois.edu/PumpkinSmash.

Chainsaw Workshop

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — Chainsaw Workshop for Woodland Owners will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Oct. 26 at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest Fire Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville.

This workshop will include a classroom session and plus outdoor demonstrations of personal protective equipment , chainsaw safety features, and felling and timber stand improvement techniques. Participants should dress to be outdoors and bring a sack lunch, chainsaw and PPE.

The workshop is hosted by Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association with support from Indiana Tree Farm Committee in partnership with the Indiana Division of Forestry.

Cost is $25. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3sx8v3y2, email ifwoa1@gmail.com or call 765-496-5013.

Seal the Meal

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Seal the Meal: Hands-on Food Preservation Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 216 SE 3rd St., Evansville.

During this two-day workshop, participants will learn food safety related to food preservation; science and process of fermenting and pickling; pressure canning basics; and safe preservation of meat and combination foods.

Cost is $150, which includes workshop materials, take-home products and lunch.

Achievement Night

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. — Williamson County 4-H Achievement Night will be 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Brandy’s Pumpkin Patch, 15020 Pumpkin Patch Road, Johnston City.

4-H members will be honored for their hard work and accomplishments. Dinner will include hot dogs and chips, and dessert.

Money Savvy

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — 4-H Money Savvy will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

4-H is partnering with Carlinville National Bank to help youths navigate the world of financial responsibility. Participants will learn money facts, habits, and the differences between needs and wants.

STEAM Night

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — 4-H STEAM Night will be 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Carlinville Public Library, 510 N Broad St., Carlinville.

The event will include hands-on science and art learning stations.

Achievement Night

SPARTA, Ill. — Randolph County 4-H Achievement Night will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Sparta Lincoln School, 203 Dean Ave., Sparta.

4-H members will be honored for their hard work and accomplishments,.

Let’s Walk!

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Let’s Walk!, a free walking program for all abilities and fitness levels, will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Prairie Fields, 1111 Fairgrounds Road, Belvidere.

Whether you are aiming to boost cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and bones, or manage your weight, walking offers a simple and effective solution. Walking is an accessible form of exercise that can easily fit into your daily routine.

Walks occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 7.

Enrollment Night

MARION, Ill. — Williamson County 4-H Trick-or-Treat Enrollment Night will be 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Williamson County Extension office, 1301 Enterprise Way, Suite 60, Marion.

New and returning 4-H members are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes and stop by the Williamson County Extension office to trick or treat and enroll for the new 2024-2025 4-H Year.

Fishing Adventure

NEWTON, Ill. — The Jasper County 4-H Fishing Adventure will be 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at Sam Parr State Park, 13225 IL-33, Newton.

Participants will learn how to tie fishing knots, practice casting a lure, as well as how to identify different species of fish and aquatic mammals.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/58ypsnft.

Wellness Walk

URBANA,, Ill. — The Wellness Walk will be 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 31 at Crystal Lake Park, 206 W. Park St., Urbana.

Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen and Family Life Educator Emily Harmon will lead the walk that will include a fun wellness lesson or activity. Bring comfortable shoes and a water bottle. In case of bad weather, the walk will be held indoors at First Christian Church. 3601 S Staley Road, Champaign.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2bdvvpx6.

Woodland Owner Conference

WABASH, Ind. — The Indiana Woodland Owner Conference will begin at 9 a.m. ET Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 at the Honeywell Center, 275 W. Market St, Wabash.

Friday morning will include meetings and the afternoon will feature field tours in the Wabash region. Saturday will include an indoor program and networking with other landowners as well as expert presentations. A hotel block will be available at the Holiday Inn Express in Wabash.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yh2mp5wz.

Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and sustainable management of forests in Indiana. IFWOA advocates for scientific best practices for woodland management to achieve objectives like clean water, wildlife habitat, soil protection, native species diversity, timber production, recreation, carbon sequestration and many others.

IFWOA has members in every county of Indiana both woodland owners and non-owners, city and rural dwellers, family farmers, wildlife conservationists, agriculture and forestry professionals, tree farmers, loggers, scientists, educators — anyone who cares about the health of Indiana forests and woodlands, and wants to assure those lands receive the care and support they need.

Preserving Safely

WELDON, Ill. — Preserving Safely will be 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 1 at Weldon Public Library, 505 Maple St., Weldon.

Learn how to water-bath and pressure can with a focus on autumn preserving. There will be up-to-date information on safely preserving at home and the steps to get started or refresh current skills. Participants may also bring their dial-gauge pressure canner lids to be tested.

To register, call the library, at 217-736-2215.

Wellness Walk

LANSING, Ill. — The Cook County Nature Wellness Walk will be 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 2 at Lansing Woods, 186th Street, east of Torrence Avenue, Lansing.

Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led during this slow and leisurely walks that can lead to improved mental and physical health. A tea ceremony will be conducted after the walk. This walk is designed for those 18 and older.

Rooted and Resilient

KENDALLVILLE, Ind. — The Rooted and Resilient Homesteading Conference will be 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Nov. 1, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Community Learning Center, 401 E Diamond St., Kendallville.

This hands-on event brings together local experts and passionate homesteaders to share their expertise on everything from sustainable farming and food preservation to livestock management and business management techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just starting out, you’ll gain valuable insights, learn time-tested techniques, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. Come prepared to get your hands dirty and leave with the confidence and tools to cultivate a resilient and self-reliant lifestyle.

Workshops sessions will include a kids’ track, homesteading 101, animal science, and gardening/soil science.

Friday topics will include:

• Spicing Up the Kitchen: Cooking with Herbs and Spices

• Petals on Your Plate: The Art and Taste of Edible Flowers

• Don’t Blow Your Lid: Mastering Pressure Canning Techniques

• Pressure Canning Chicken

• Making Bone Broth

• Maple Magic: A Dive into Syrup Production

• Branch Out: Skills for Pruning Trees

• From Aches to Ease: Ergonomic Tools for the Modern Homesteader

• From Tractors to Tails: Ensuring Safety in Farm Machinery and Livestock Handling

• Harvesting Peace: Strategies for Coping with the Pressures of Farm Life

• Nature’s Palette: Discover the Magic of Natural Dye and Fibers

• What’s the Scoop? A Guide to Types of Manure and Their Benefits

• What’s the Buzz? Introduction to Beekeeping

• Seeds for Tomorrow: Techniques for Seed Saving and Storage

• Mastering Poultry Processing: Methods for Success

• Healthy Herds and Quality Milk: Practices for Dairy Goat Husbandry

• Cutting with Confidence: Chainsaw Safety and Tree Felling

• Keep it Running: Practical Tips for Small Engine Maintenance and Repairs

Saturday topics will include:

• Crust & Crumbs: A Joyful Journey into Homemade Pies

• Sour Power: Unlocking the Secrets of Sourdough

• First Steps to Farm Life: Introductory Topics for Homestead Success

• Boots on the Ground: Veteran Farmers’ Insights and Strategies

• Small Ruminant Secrets: Strategies for Thriving Herds

• Cover Your Coop: Navigating Insurance for your Homestead

• Farm to Table Talk: Understanding Consumer Perception of Agriculture

• What Lies Beneath: The Science of Soil and Garden Health

• The Great Invasion: How to Manage and Control Invasive

• Elevate Your Garden: Getting Started with Raised Beds

• Market Makers: Elevating your Farmers Market Presence with Value-Added Products

• Upcycled Denim

• Dissecting the Mysteries: A Guide to Animal Anatomy

• Garden of Colors: Making Art with Natural Dyes

• Udder Fun: Crafting Homemade Butter and Dairy

• Lock in the Goodness: Fun with Food Dehydrating

• Moo-ving Forward: Best Practices in Large Ruminant Livestock Care

• Field of Dreams: Expert Insights on Agricultural Zoning & Planning

• Label Me Organic: Understanding Organic Standards & Labeling

• Digging In: The Fundamentals of Gardening

• Fields of Opportunity: NRCS Assistance for Beginning Farmers and Veterans

• Berry Bountiful: Strategies for Successful Small Fruit Production

• The Diagnosis Detective: Livestock Necropsy for Better Health Management

• Bringing Home the Bacon: A Guide to Swine Management

• Counting Sheep: Tracking Your Homestead Finances

• Eggs-cellent Poultry Practices: Raising Happy, Healthy Birds

• From Scraps to Soil: Mastering Composting and Organic Production

• Hay There! Harvesting and Buying Quality Forages

• Vertical Veggies: Tips and Tricks forTower Gardening,

• Fortify the Farm: Strategies to Prepare for Homestead Security

• The Meat Journey: Discovering How Livestock Becomes Dinner

• Bullseye Quest: Getting Started with Archery Skills

• Barnyard Buddies: Learning to Care for Livestock

• Cool Creations: An Ice Cream Making Adventure

For registration and pricing information, visit https://tinyurl.com/nhk4pcm8. For questions or more information, contact Elysia Rodgers at eberry@purdue.edu, 260-925-2562; or Tami Mosier, mosier@purdue.edu, 260-668-1000, ext. 1400.

Calendar: Green your Halloween

Chainsaw Workshop

Seal the Meal

Achievement Night

Money Savvy

STEAM Night

Achievement Night

Let’s Walk!

Enrollment Night

Fishing Adventure

Wellness Walk

Woodland Owner Conference

Preserving Safely

Wellness Walk

Rooted and Resilient

AgriNews Staff