Calendar: Saving seeds for future planting seasons

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. — The Seed Saving program will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 10 at the Jackson County Extension office, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

Seed saving is a great way to continue your garden from the plants and flowers you already have. Saving seeds also allows you to select particular characteristics you might like to cultivate by choosing fruits or plants with those traits.

The program will cover methods used to collect seeds, seed storage techniques, and seed stratification process.

Homegrown Healthy

DIXON, Ill. — Homegrown Healthy is a free 10-week program where participants learn how to grow a garden, get an introduction to hydroponics, and try new foods made with garden produce.

Individuals and families are invited to register for the program, which will be available at three locations:

• Sauk Valley Community College Greenhouse, 173 IL-2, Dixon; 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays starting May 28.

• Morrison Community Hospital Community Gardens, 303 N. Jackson St., Morrison; 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays starting May 29.

• Flagg-Rochelle Library, 619 Fourth Ave., Rochelle; 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays starting June 3.

Container Gardening

STAUNTON, Ill. — Container Gardening with Vegetables will be 2 to 3 p.m. May 30 at Water Tower Park, 102 W. 6th St., Staunton.

Participants will learn the art and science of container gardening with vegetables, a technique that can maximize space, improve soil quality, and enhance vegetable yield.

Topics covered will include: Introduction to container gardening, choosing the right containers and soil, planting techniques and tools, and care and maintenance of container vegetables

Participants will create a small vegetable container to take home.

Be Heart Smart

SCHERERVILLE, Ind. — Be Heart Smart will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT Tuesdays, June 3-24, at the Dyer-Schererville Branch of the Lake County Public Library, 1001 W. Lincoln Hwy., Schererville.

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 the library at 219-322-4731. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y44em3b8.

The program also will be offered 10:30 a.m. CT Wednesdays, June 11-July 2, at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library, 8701 Calumet Ave., Munster. Register by calling the library at 219-836-8450.

Heritage Foods

EUREKA, Ill. — A Taste of Tradition: Heritage Foods will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 3 at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St., Eureka.

Food can have long-lasting impact with connections to people or culture. Family recipes get passed down generation to generation, creating years’ worth of memories. Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith will discuss what you can do to safeguard your family recipes.

Heart Smart Eating

CLINTON, Ill. — Heart Smart Eating will be 10 to 11 a.m. June 5 at the Warner Wellness Center, 422 W. White St., Clinton.

Participants will develop skills to support shopping and cooking heart-healthy meals, and learn about four categories of nutrients — sodium, fat, added sugar, and fiber — and how each impacts heart health.

4-H Day Camp

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — 4-H Day Camp will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET June 10-11 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

The camp, designed for kindergarteners through second-graders, will include outdoor games, mini 4-H projects, arts and crafts, nature exploration, and camp songs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ur277kd.

Tractor Driving Contest

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. — The Perry and Randolph County 4-H Tractor Driving Contest will be 11 a.m. to noon June 10 at the Perry County Fairgrounds, 711 Fairground Road, Pinckneyville.

Those participating must be registered 4-H youth enrolled in the appropriate fair project areas. Guidelines and policies can be found in the Perry County 4-H Handbook or Randolph County 4-H Handbook.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrpw4xfa.

Land banks revitalizing rural Illinois

URBANA, Ill. — In partnership with Rural Partners, University of Illinois Extension presents a free two-part webinar series, “Land Banks as a Tool for Rural Redevelopment.” This series explores how land banks can serve as a strategic solution for revitalizing rural communities across Illinois.

Part 1, June 10 at noon: Learn about the challenges facing rural redevelopment and why municipalities are increasingly turning to land banks as a tool for economic and community renewal.

Part 2, June 26 at noon: Gain practical insights into the formation and operation of land banks in Illinois. This session will cover the steps to create, launch, and manage a land bank, key policies that guide their operations, and valuable lessons learned from communities that have already implemented them.

Redevelopment of small and medium-sized rural communities can be challenging for towns with long-standing vacancies and deteriorating business districts. Land banks help local governments address these issues by facilitating the redevelopment of vacant, abandoned, or blighted properties, transforming them into community assets.

Whether you are a local official, community leader, or simply passionate about rural development, this series will provide the insights and practical tools needed to drive meaningful change.

Preserve at Home

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The program Preserve at Home will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 10 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Participants will learn skills and resources to safely waterbath and pressure can and preserve through freezing, drying, and fermentation. Turn your garden and farmers market produce into jams, pickles and more to enjoy during the winter months. Food samples will be provided. Bring dial-gauge pressure canner lids and gauges for a free accuracy test.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 217-762-2191 or visit https://tinyurl.com/yk8p83tf.

Mental Health First Aid

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Purdue Extension Jackson/Knox County is presenting Adult Mental Health First Aid, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET June 11 at the Schneck Medical Center, 415 S. Walnut St., Seymour.

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. This program builds health literacy and offers participants a practical action plan for how to identify and address someone with a mental health or substance use challenge safely and responsibly.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4bpdt4ht.

Salads at Home

PANA, Ill. — Fresh and Flavorful Salads at Home will be 10:30 to noon June 12 at Pana Community Hospital, 101 E. 9th St., Pana.

Learn how to build better salads that boost your heart health and flavors you’ll enjoy. Discover how to make your own delicious, heart-healthy dressings, read nutrition labels on store-bought dressings like a pro, and use a variety of fruits, veggies, and greens to keep your salads exciting.

The program also will cover safe food prep and storage tips to keep everything fresh.

Garden Talk

STERLING, Ill. — Garden Talk with Bruce Black, Illinois Extension horticulture educator, will be 5 to 6 p.m. June 12 at Sterling Township Community Garden, 505 W. Lynn Blvd., Sterling.

Bring your lawn chair and gardening questions.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ve9vawc.

Farm Safety Day

HAVANA, Ill. — Farm Safety Day will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13 at Mason County Fairgrounds, 17280 E County Rd 1600 N, Havana.

Children ages 6 and older will attend activity stations and learn about a variety of important safety lessons.

This event is free and includes lunch and water.

Farm in the Park

ALEDO, Ill. — Farm in the Park will be 3 to 6 p.m. June 13 at Central Park, 200 S. College Ave., Aledo.

The event will include interactive learning stations, gardening advice and resources, and nutrition games and healthy living tips.

Activities for children will include a bounce house, petting zoo and butterfly bus. Hot dog meals will be available for $5.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mr3xsydp.

Plant Sale

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Allen County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET June 14 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Shop a variety of locally grown plants, including natives, hostas, succulents, house plants, shrubs, herbs, and vegetables. There will be a Garden Walk through the Display Gardens.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y84wrk55.

Agriculture Hall of Fame Award program

SALEM, Ind. — The 2025 Agriculture Hall of Fame Award program, dinner and presentation will begin at 5 p.m. ET June 16 at the Washington County Fairgrounds Livestock Arena, 118 Fair St., Salem.

Attendees will receive a meal and a coupon for free ice cream from the Washington County 4-H Clover Creamery.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc5pu7fz or call the Washington County EXtension office at 812-883-4601,

Upcoming County Fairs

• May 25-June 1 – Martinsville Agricultural Fair, 620 S. York St., Martinsville, Ill.; www.martinsvilleagfair.com; info@martinsvilleagfair.com; 217-382-5512.

• May 27-31 – Greene County Agricultural Fair, 123 N. Route 108, Carrollton, Ill.; greenecountyfairil.com; 217-942-3094.

• June 3-7 — Pike County Fair, 210 W. Clay St., Pleasant Hill, Ill.; pikecountyfair@gmail.com; 573-754-2436 or 217-779-0287.

• June 3-7 — Macoupin County Fair, 21368 State Rte. 4, Carlinville, Ill.; www.macoupincountyfair.org; MacoupinCountyFair@gmail.com; 217-854-9422.

• June 4-8 – Macon County Fair, 3700 N. Westlawn Ave., Decatur, Ill.; www.maconcountyfair.com; staff@maconcountyfair.com; 217-875-0135.

• June 5-14 — Hamilton County Fair, Route 14 West, McLeansboro, Ill.; facebook.com/HamiltonCountyIllinoisFair; hamiltoncoilfair@gmail.com; 618-926-1813.

• June 7-14 – Perry County Fair, 1041 Secretary Road, Pinckneyville, Ill.; https://www.facebook.com/perrycounty.fair.5; info@perrycoilfair.com; 618-790-4868.

• June 9-13 — Floyd County 4-H Fair, 2818 Green Valley Road, New Albany, Ind.; www.floydcounty4h.org; floydcofairgrounds@gmail.com; 812-949-8119.

• June 9-14 — Brown County Fair, 802 Memorial Drive, Nashville, Ind.; https://tinyurl.com/3c9279kt; 812-988-5495.