Calendar: Mission: Drone Possible at Vincennes Ag Center

VINCENNES, Ind. — Mission: Drone Possible will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET June 21 at Vincennes University Ag Center, 4207 Purdue Road, Vincennes.

Third- through 12th-graders will learn how drones fly, drone rules and regulations, why drones can be dangerous, how to program drones, and how to scout a farm field using planned and manual flight paths.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2mvcx6n6.

Discovering Dragonflies

METROPOLIS, Ill. — Discovering Dragonflies will be 1 to 2 p.m. June 3 at Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis St., Metropolis.

Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to listen to a story about dragonflies, participate in learning activities, and make a dragonfly craft.

The program will be repeated 1 to 2 p.m. June 17 at the Brookport Library, 7415 S US 45 Rd, Brookport, 618-564-3630; and noon to 1 p.m. June 18 at the Crab Orchard Public Library, 20012 Crab Orchard Road, Marion, 618-982-2141.

Aquaculture Business

INDIANAPOLIS — North Central Regional Aquaculture Center, Sea Grant and Purdue Extension will host a short course on Aquaculture Business: Practical Skills for Managing Farm Finances.

The program will be 9 a.m. June 6-7 at Discovery Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.

Keeping on top of your farm finances can be a daunting task, but knowing what numbers to track, what the numbers mean, when to spend, and when to save can be critical for the long term health of your aquaculture businesses finances.

This business short course will provide participants with an overview of practical information for managing farms finances, hands-on learning, and one-on-one time with an expert.

Instructors will be Ganesh Kumar, aquaculture economist, Mississippi State University; Matt Parker, aquaculture business specialist, University of Maryland Extension; Kwamena Quagrainie, aquaculture economist and marketing specialist, Purdue University; and guest presenter Michael Langemeier, associate director, Center for Commercial Agriculture and professor, Purdue University.

All participants will receive a hardcopy of Aquaculture Businesses: A Practical Guide to Economics and Marketing by Carole Engle.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2jm7x6zv.

For questions contact Amy Shambach at ashambac@purdue.edu call 317-237-0511.

Extension Road Show

PRINCETON, Ill. — Explore the programs and support available through your local Extension office at an Illinois Extension Road Show.

Open houses will be:

• June 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Bureau County office, 850 Thompson St., Becker Professional Suites, Princeton.

• June 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m., La Salle County office, 1689 North 31st Road, Ottawa.

• June 11, 5-6:30 p.m., Marshall-Putnam County office, 509 Front St., Henry.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/jm3cjmrn.

Farm Business Series

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Farm Business Foundations Series features speakers and interactive activities on business planning, financial management, risk management, and much more. Participants can also gain valuable insights and practical knowledge from industry experts and connect with local resources.

Session 1 will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 10 at Sangamon County Extension office, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield.

Session 2 will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 17 at Farm Credit Illinois office, 1200 Old Tipton School Road, Sherman.

Session 3 will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 24 at the Sangamon County Farm Bureau office, 2631 Beechler Court, Springfield.

AG Day at CAL

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — 4-H Ag Day will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11 at the Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake.

The horticulture and agriculture program for middle school 4-H members will include: MCC Student Farm tour, sessions led by MCC instructors, farm tool demonstrations, greenhouse plant propagation, hands-on floral design, soil testing samples, and careers in agriculture.

Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Participants will take home their own succulent plant. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4v5wretc.

Crop and Soil Science Workshop

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Experience 4-H: Crop and Soil Science Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET June 11 at Purdue University Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center, 4530 U.S. 52, West Lafayette.

Interactive activities will include a soil pit to study layers of soil, agronomic scavenger hunt, grain storage safety, corn and soybean growth stages, using a sweep net to scout for insects in forage field, soil health demonstrations, soil sampling, understanding pesticide labels, and high-tech ag: sensors and drones.

Open to youth in grades 3-12. 4-H membership not required. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/2nd6kwy8.

4-H Academy @ Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, INd. — 4-H Academy @ Purdue will be 9 a.m. June 11-13 at Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette.

Previously known as 4-H Science Workshops, participants will meet and learn from professors, graduate students and other experts in their respective fields and participate in interactive activities and experiential learning. Participants stay in a Purdue University residence hall for two nights while exploring the Purdue University campus and meeting 4-H members from across Indiana.

4-H Academy @ Purdue is open to all youth grades 9-12. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n6z4jfz.

Herb Magic

CLINTON, Ill. — Windowsill Wonders: Herb Magic will be 10 to 11 a.m. June 12 at Warner Wellness Center, 418 W. South St., Clinton.

Learn how to grow, cut, dry, and cook with fresh herbs from your own windowsill. Participants will plant rosemary, basil, and dill to take home.

Food Challenge

DECATUR, Ill. — The Illinois 4-H State Food Challenge will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14 at Richland Community College, 1 College Park, Decatur.

The State Food Challenge is a timed cooking contest sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association. Youth will compete in teams to make a meal using at least three mystery ingredients, one of which will be a beef product.

Eligible participants are students who have finished sixth grade up to those who have just graduated from 12th grade this year. No prior food competition experience needed.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2xehn8xc.

Dairy Farm Operations

CLAREMONT, Ill. — Dairy Farm Operations will be the subject of the Summer Twilight Series, 6 to 8 p.m. June 16 at Weiler Enterprises Inc. Dairy Farm, 6670 E. Seven Hills Road, Claremont.

After managing a dairy herd at the University of Illinois, Travis Michels fell in love with the industry. When he and his wife, Erin, had the opportunity to rent a farm, they bought 50 cows and two tractors and started the dream they had always hoped for. They moved into the current barn in February 2016, quickly increasing the herd to 120 milking cows. Today, Weiler Enterprises Inc. Dairy Farm cares for around 300 animals from newborn to milking age. The Michels have made it a family affair with their four children being an integral part of the operation, each taking on their own role. Explore the working dairy farm and get an up-close look at the Lely A4 Robot Milkers used on-site.

Rgister at https://tinyurl.com/4xw5hy38.

Carnivorous Plants

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Exploring Carnivorous Plants for ages 5 to 18 will be 1 to 2 p.m. June 16 at Carlinville Public Library, 510 N. Broad St., Carlinville.

Participants will learn how the Venus flytrap, sundew and pitcher plant catch their food, and take home their own Venus flytrap.

Livestock Judging

URBANA, Ill. — The 2025 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest will be June 16 at the University of Illinois Stock Pavilion 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. with the beef, sheep, swine and meat goats contests starting at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2mpb3srm.

Chef University

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Hamilton County Chef University Spark Club will be 9 a.m. to noon ET June 17-19 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

Third- through fifth-graders are invited to the June 17-19 event to enhance their cooking skills, learn kitchen safety, and increase their knowledge of food from around the world while sampling a variety of foods.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/6nbmpwzv.

Field Day

PANA, Ill. — The Dudley Smith Farm 2025 Field Day will be 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 at Dudley Smith Farm Research Center, 2200 E 600 North Rd, Pana.

Whether you are a farmer, producer or consumer, it is important to stay informed on current and upcoming agricultural practices. The ag industry is fast-paced and filled with technology pushing efficiency forward. Without these advancements, farmers could not continue to feed the growing world. The challenge remains to do it sustainably.

At Dudley Smith Farm, tradition pushes sustainable agriculture practice into the future through hands-on research opportunities. Attendees can look forward to hearing industry updates and application examples. 2025 Field Day presentation topics include: Drainage Water Recycling, Profitable Nitrogen Management, Livestock Grazing Management, and Cover Crops and Water Quality.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required by June 13 to receive lunch. Following lunch, attendees are invited to stay for an optional farm tour.

Pork Dinner

YORKVILLE, Ill. — The Friends of Extension and Kendall County 4-H Foundation Drive-Thru Pork Dinner Fundraiser will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 19 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 IL-71, Yorkville.

Each meal includes applesauce, coleslaw, baked beans, dinner roll, and cookie. Ticket options include: two-chop dinner for $16, one-chop dinner for $14, two-porkburger dinner for $10, and one-porkburger dinner for $8.

Tickets are available from 4-H members or at the Kendall County Extension office, 7775-B IL Route 47, Yorkville. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for an additional $1 per ticket. For more information, call 630-553-5823.

All proceeds will help support county programs provided by Illinois Extension, including 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s4dtudj.

No Limits

ALBION, Ill. — The No Limits Livestock Show will be 6 to 8 p.m. June 20 at the Edwards County Fairgrounds, 90 W. Pine St., Albion.

The No Limits Livestock Show is an all-inclusive swine show where youth 4-H swine exhibitors team up with individuals with disabilities to give them the opportunity to show a pig.

A judge will evaluate how the mentors, participants, and pig work together as a team.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/284arzrj. For questions, contact the Edwards County Extension office at 618-445-2934.

Garden Walk

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners and McHenry County College will host the annual Garden Walk, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12.

The event will start at the outdoor Demonstration Garden at MCC, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake. Attendees experience all gardens at their own pace on a self-guided tour and Master Gardeners will be on-site at each garden to answer questions and offer educational materials.

The self-guided tour will include 12 gardens — two demonstration and 10 residential — in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Lake in the Hills, and McHenry. Experience colorful gardens studded with artwork, edible plots, and more.

All gardens will be open for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Advance tickets are $15 starting May 20. Pick up all tickets at MCC at the Demonstration Garden. Tickets will be available the day of the walk for $20.

For tickets and more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ktzjhy6y.