Calendar: Growing and cooking with herbs

STAUNTON, Ill. — From Pot to Plate: Growing and Cooking with Herbs will be 6 to 7 p.m. April 29 at the Community Hospital of Staunton, 400 Caldwell St., Staunton.

Participants will learn how to cook with popular herbs to create delicious recipes. Get your hands dirty as you plant your own herbs, discover the best soils for growth, and learn essential care techniques. Plus, explore the safest ways to store and preserve culinary herbs so you can enjoy their benefits year-round.

Register for this free class by calling Brandi Crawford at 618-635-4218 or email crawfordb@stauntonhospital.org. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2uypcrty.

Spring Cleaning

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. — The Spring Cleaning and Decluttering Workshop will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET April 21 at the Shelby County Extension office, 20 W. Polk St., Suite 201, Shelbyville.

The workshop will include helpful strategies for decluttering and offer some recipes for DIY cleaning solutions.

RSVP to 317-392-6460. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n6m7k2s.

Rockford Raptors

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The program Eagles, Raptors, Hawks and Owls will be 6 to 7 p.m. April 28 at the Winnebago County Extension office, 1040 N. 2nd St., Rockford.

Winnebago County Master Naturalist Mike Eickman will discuss raptors that nest and visit Winnebago County.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4d43fy6n.

Be Heart Smart

GRIFFITH, Ind. — Be Heart Smart will be 1 to 3 p.m. CT Tuesdays, April 29-May 20 at the Griffith-Calumet Township Branch of the Lake County Public Library, 1215 E. 45th Ave., Griffith.

The classes will include a Be Heart Smart program manual, a heart-healthy cookbook, food demonstrations and tastings, and educational instruction focused on the benefits of following a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Register for this free program by calling 219-838-2825. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ntwvn9h.

Market Ready

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Market Ready Producer Training will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET May 1 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Market Ready is a program that helps local food producers prepare for selling to wholesale markets. The program focuses on business skills needed to meet the expectations of potential buyers. Producers will learn about product quality, food safety, insurance/managing risks, marketing and more. The program will include a panel of wholesale buyers.

Cost is $75 and includes program materials and lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/7rbauare.

For questions, contact at Sarah Hanson, sspeedy@purdue.edu, 765-543-1230; or James Wolff, jmwolff@purdue.edu, 260-481-6434.

Heart Smart Eating

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Heart Smart Eating will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 1 at the First Presbyterian Church, 214 S. Charter St., Monticello.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes to lifestyle, including food choices, can improve symptoms like high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. In Heart Smart Eating, learn about four categories of nutrients — sodium, fat, added sugar and fiber — and how each impacts heart health. Attendees will develop skills to support shopping and cooking heart-healthy meals.

Register for this free program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/35xt7auf or call 217-762-2191.

Raised Bed Gardens

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Raised Bed Gardens will be noon to 1 p.m. May 1 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Learn techniques used in raised bed gardening that will help you produce the most from the gardening space you have. Topics include techniques to plant densely, vertical gardening, interplanting, succession planting, day length strategies, and cultivar choices.

Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/sdkfv45f.

Walk and Talks

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Springtime Walk and Talks will be noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, May 1-May 22, at four Champaign-Urbana parks:

• May 1, Crystal Lake Park, 206 W. Park St., Urbana; led by Emily Harmon, Extension family life educator.

• May 8, Kaufman Lake, 2702 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign; led by Rachel Mannen, nutrition and wellness educator.

• May 15, Meadowbrook Park, 2950 S Race St., Champaign; led by Karla Griesbaum, environmental and energy stewardship educator, and master naturalists.

• May 22, Hessel Park, 1400 Grandview Drive, Champaign; led by Ryan Pankau, horticulture educator, and master gardeners

Each session features a short interactive lesson or activity, followed by a refreshing walk and a chance to win a giveaway.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/36z9yay3.

Plant Sale

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Mt. Moriah Lodge 51, 903 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

The sale will include 10-inch premium hanging baskets with assorted colors and different sun and shade varieties.

Proceeds to benefit the Montgomery County Farmer’s Institute.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/rzfhv8e.

Bird Walk

HUDSON, Ill. — The Spring Bird Walk will be 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 3 at the COMLARA Park Osage Picnic Shelter, 13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson.

Spring is the perfect season for birdwatching, especially as vibrant warblers and other migratory birds pass through on their journey to nesting grounds. Learn expert tips on bird identification.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4e8x7yju.

Plant Sale

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to noon May 3 in the back parking lot at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Shop a wide variety of perennials, native plants, houseplants, trees and shrubs. Master gardeners will be available for consultations, so feel free to ask questions, especially about which plant would work best for your needs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yesn3659.

Plant Sale

SIMPSON, Ill. — The Dixon Springs Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 IL-145, Simpson.

Plants will include a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Extension staff and master gardener volunteers will be available to answer questions.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/28jh8zrx.

Plant Sale

DECATUR, Ill. — Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3 at the Macon County Fairgrounds, 3700 N. Westlawn Ave., Decatur.

There will be a variety of annuals, perennials, houseplants, natives, succulents, hanging baskets, vegetables, tomatoes and herbs. Master gardener and master naturalist volunteers will also be on-site to provide consultation and answer questions. The Bargain Garden Shed will feature new-to-you supplies and tools.

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

Bike Safety Day

ALBION, Ill. — Bike Safety Day will be 1 to 4 p.m. May 3 at House of Prayer, 230 N. 5th St., Albion.

The event, hosted by the Edwards County 4-H clubs and the Edwards County Soil and Water Conservation District, will include a bike safety program provided by the Illinois State Police, bike inspections, and games. Bike inspections will check pedals, reflectors, brakes, chains, handlebar grippers, and seats, and repairs will be made if needed.

Children in kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome to attend this free event and do not have to be a member of 4-H to participate.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc3cszet. For questions, contact the Edwards County Extension office at 618-445-2934.

Invasive Species

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Stewarding Healthy Landscapes — Controlling Invasive Species will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET May 5, May 12 and May 19.

Invasive species are a major threat to Indiana’s ecosystems and economy, causing significant harm to native plants, animals, and habitats. These non-native species often out-compete and displace native species.

Series topics will be:

• Introduction to Invasive Species, Reporting and Tracking, May 5 at the at the Whitley County Ag Museum, 680 W. Squawbuck Road., Columbia City.

• Invasive Species in the Home Landscape, May 12 at the Community Foundation of Wabash County, 220 E. Main St., North Manchester.

• Native Plants for Indiana Landscapes, May 19 at the Whitley County Ag Museum.

Cost is $45. Light refreshments will be available each night.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yc5djk39.

For questions, contact Geoff Schortgen, gschortg@purdue.edu, 260-563-0661, ext. 1408; or John Woodmansee, jwoodman@purdue.edu, 260-244-7615.