Calendar: Millstream Farm hosts cut flower tour

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. — The Cut Flower Farm Tour will be 10 a.m. to noon ET July 25 at Millstream Farm, 7820 E. Anderson Road, Churubusco.

Thinking about starting your own flower farm? Curious what it really takes to grow and sell beautiful, market-ready blooms? This tour is designed specifically for future flower farmers who want to dig deeper — literally and figuratively — into the world of professional flower growing.

The event will include:

• A guided tour of a working cut flower farm, walking through seasonal crops and growing systems.

• In-depth discussion on soil prep, crop planning, succession planting, and harvesting techniques.

• Tips on variety selection, pest management, and growing for floral designers or farmers markets.

• Discussions about startup costs, tools, and lessons learned.

There will be time for Q&A, networking, and sharing ideas with other aspiring growers.

Back to Basics Homesteading

NASHVILLE, Ill. — Back to Basics is a series focused on the basics of homesteading through conservation and agriculture practices that can be completed at home.

• Canning — July 7, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Washington County Extension Conference Center, 9623 Wall St., Nashville.

• Gardening and Groceries — July 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Marion County Extension office, 1404 E. Main, Rt. 50 East, Salem. Illinois Extension educators Jamie Mahlandt and Chris Lueking will teach participants how they can be frugal with their grocery spending, and grow their own food.

• Butter Making and Types of Flour — Aug. 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Washington County Extension Conference Center, 9623 Wall St., Nashville. Extension Educator Kris Juelfs will go over many different types of flour and how to make your own butter from home.

• Seed Saving — Sept. 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Clinton County Extension office, 1163 N. 4th St., Breese. Extension Educator Chris Lueking will share tips and tricks on how to save seeds so they are ready for the following year’s garden season.

• Composting — Oct. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Jefferson County Extension office, 123 S. 10th St., Suite 510, Mt. Vernon. Extension Educator Ken Johnson will discuss the basics of composting and how to maintain composting for your garden.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n7edhef.

Salads and Sizzle

STAUNTON, Ill. — Spice up your salads and fire up your grill. Join Illinois Extension and Community Hospital of Staunton for a fun, hands-on class where you’ll learn how to mix up fresh salad dressings, master marinades, and get tips for healthy, flavorful grilling. From crisp greens to juicy veggies and meats, you’ll leave with recipes, know-how, and confidence to toss, dress, and sizzle like a pro.

The class will take place in from 6 to 7 p.m. July 8 at the Community Hospital of Staunton, 400 Caldwell St., Staunton.

Register for this free class by calling Brandi Crawford, director of nursing, 618-635-4218, or email crawfordb@stauntonhospital.org.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/352vu54h.

Fishing Spin Club

ELIZABETH, Ill. — An informational meeting on a new Fishing Spin Club for children in grades sixth through 12th will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 8 at Elizabeth Community Building, 402 West St., Elizabeth.

This program is designed to introduce young anglers to the fundamentals of fishing while encouraging outdoor exploration and environmental awareness.

Led by local fishing enthusiast Mike Iacomini, the club will cover a wide range of topics including knot tying, casting techniques, catch-and-release practices, tackle box assembly, fishing safety, and aquatic ecosystems.

In addition to hands-on learning, participants will enjoy field trips and real fishing experiences, providing a fun and memorable way to build confidence and connect with nature.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvhxzjz6.

Urban Trees and Health

URBANA, Ill. — The profound effect of urban trees on human health will be the topic of the online Forestry Stewardship Series, 2 to 3 p.m. July 9.

The program will discuss three studies linking urban trees with positive health outcomes:

• Women who have more trees around their home are less likely to have underweight or premature babies.

• The spread of the invasive emerald ash borer does more than cause environmental harm. In addition, counties infested with emerald ash borer have higher rates of cardiovascular and lower respiratory mortality.

• Neighborhoods that have more tree plantings also have lower rates of cardiovascular mortality.

The program will be presented by Geoffrey Donovan, Ash and Elm Consulting.

Other topics in the Forestry Stewardship Series will be:

• July 16 — Legacy Trees: The Significance Of and How to Manage our Forest Elders.

• July 23 — Staying Inside the Lines: Best Practices for Firebreak Design.

• July 30 — Emerging Invasive Species Across Illinois.

Self-Care Series

URBANA, Ill. — Water Wins: Choosing Healthier Drinks for Toddlers to Teens will be the topic of the online Summer Self-Care Series, noon to 1 p.m. July 9.

Learn to decode labels, spot hidden sugars, and encourage water and natural drinks. Equip the family with tools to make healthier beverage choices every day.

Other workshops in the series include:

• Nurtured in Nature: Restoring Wellness for Collective Climate Resilience, July 16 at noon. Experience how a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led initiative nurtures wellness and climate resilience through culturally rooted nature experiences. See how reconnecting with land and identity can inspire healing and collective environmental action.

• Easy Steps to Benefiting from Everyday Mindful Forest Bathing, July 23 at noon. Tap into the calming power of nature through mindfulness and immersing oneself in the forest atmosphere. Learn how these practices reduce stress, lift mood, and support relaxation. Explore research-backed benefits and get simple tips for finding nearby green spaces and building your own mindful outdoor routine.

• The Empowered Woman: Research-Based Exercise and Nutrition Approaches to Longevity for Thriving in Midlife and Beyond, July 30 at noon. As women enter midlife, their bodies and needs evolve, along with the strength and wisdom to shape their own well-being. This session explores evidence-based strategies to boost vitality, support longevity, and embrace wellness through movement, nutrition, and self-care.

Home Canning

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Preserving Your Harvest: Home Canning will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 10 at the McLean County Extension office, 1615 Commerce Pkwy., Bloomington.

University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith will demonstrate the step-by-step process to canning using a boiling water bath canner, steam canner and pressure canner. There also will be a pressure canner demonstration.

Piatt Garden Walk

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The Garden Walk hosted by Piatt County master gardeners will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12 at the Monticello Railway Museum Wabash Depot, 200 E. Livingston St., Monticello.

Tour six Monticello-area gardens and be inspired by vegetable gardens, creative designs, and native landscaping. Also, shop the vendors’ market at Wabash Depot and obtain gardening information you can trust from the Piatt County master gardeners.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yj5av3c8.

DeKalb Garden Walk

SYCAMORE, Ill. — The DeKalb County Garden Walk will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12. Seven home gardens and one educational spotlight garden will be featured in this walk, located in DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa. Attendees visit the gardens at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Master gardeners will be on-site at each garden to answer questions and give guidance.

A wristband is required to enter the gardens and may be purchased online at go.illinois.edu/2025GardenWalk for $10. Wristbands may be picked up at the DeKalb County Extension office, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/msr55u3z.

Caregivers Guide

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Managing Money: A Caregivers Guide to Finances will be 10:30 a.m. to noon CT July 14 at the Lake County Extension office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

In this program presented by Linda Curley, Purdue University Extension educator, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, participants will learn about the cost of caregiving and benefits of early planning.

• Start a conversation about finances.

• Assess financial and legal needs.

• Avoid financial abuse and fraud.

• Find support when needed.

Organic Gardening

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. — Organic Gardening will be the topic Modern Homesteading Series, 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 15 at the Jackson County Extension office, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

Growing organically can help provide peace of mind about what you are eating, and with a little guidance anyone can be enjoying chemical-free produce while building healthy soils.

Discussed will be the benefits of organic gardening, pest protection, disease strategies, weed control, companion planting, and soil health.

Commodity Field Day

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Farmer-to-Farmer Conservation Commodity Field Day will be 8 a.m. to noon July 15 at the Lake County Extension office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Participants will tour farms in Lake and Porter counties. Bus transportation will be provided. Topics will include commodity conservation practices, adding a rotation crop such as winter wheat, and diversified crops.

The program is presented by Purdue Extension, Soil and Water Conservation District, Indiana Farm Bureau, and Diverse Corn Belt Project.

Meet Your Farmer

BATAVIA, Ill. — Glory Gardens, 767 E. Wilson St., Batavia, will be the site of the Meet Your Farmer Series, 6 to 8 p.m. July 15.

Grower Michelle Deraedt will host a field tour to discuss her growing practices and the mission of her nonprofit, Glory Gardens. Extension Educator Alexis R. Barnes will be on-site to discuss common pest and disease concerns in warm-season crops during early summer.

Glory Gardens is a charitable organization that was founded with the sole purpose of growing organic fresh produce tended to by local volunteers and donated to local food pantries in the Fox Valley area. Deraedt and her team have managed over 26,000 square feet of garden space since 2019 and continue to expand each year. Today, Michelle continues to implement new practices in her gardens and enjoys using upcycled products to enhance her operation.

Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/bddsaebw. For questions, contact Barnes at arbarnes@illinois.edu or 630-584-6166.

Homegrown Harvest

DECATUR, Ill. — Weeding and Watering Methods will be the topic of the Homegrown Harvest Gardening Workshop Series, 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 16 at Southside Hill Community Garden, East Lawrence Street and South Maffit Street, Decatur.

Homegrown Harvest is a series of free, family-friendly vegetable garden workshops designed to support beginning gardeners through the growing season.

Other topics will include Soils, Composting, and Fall Seed Sowing on Aug. 13; and Tool Maintenance, Fall Clean-Up and Planting Garlic on Sept. 17.

Summer Twilight Series

SIMPSON, Ill. — High Tunnel Vegetable Production and Biological Insect Control will be the topic of the Summer Twilight Series, 6 to 8 p.m. July 17 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 IL-145, Simpson.

More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to extend their growing season, increase crop diversity, achieve higher yields, and improve quality. During the July Twilight Meeting, Educator Bronwyn Aly will discuss high tunnel production and showcase current research and demonstration trials within the three commercial-sized high tunnels on-site.

Since 2021, the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center high tunnels have also served as a test site for research studies on biological insect control. Specialty Crops Entomologist Kacie Athey will give an update on how these pest management strategies are benefiting both the agricultural community and the environment.

Planting Fall Gardens

LANARK, Ill. — Planting for a Successful Fall Garden will be the topic of the Learning in Lawn Chairs series, 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 17 at Lanark Community Garden, 26549 US-52, Lanark.

Make the most of your fall garden for a bountiful autumn yield. Discover which vegetables thrive in cooler weather, when to plant, and how to extend your harvest season.

This series is free and open to the public. No registration needed. For questions, call the Whiteside County Extension Office at 815-632-3611. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/s6yrvep9.

Green Connections

CUBA, Ill. — Green Connections: Energy Efficient Landscapes will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. July 17 at Cuba High School, 20325 N. State Rte. 97, Cuba.

Participants will learn about the energy-efficient high school building.

Green Connection events are continuing education programs for Extension master gardeners, master naturalists, and Conservation@Home members. They are also open to the general public.

Growing gardens, embracing nature, and sustaining conservation in Illinois are the goals for these learning and networking opportunities.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y2s4mv9f.

Master Gardener Training

VINCENNES, Ind. — Do you love plants and helping others? You can combine those passions and volunteer with people who share your interests by becoming a Purdue Extension Master Gardener.

The Master Gardener Basic Training Course will run 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Thursdays, July 24-Nov. 13.

Sessions will alternate between the Knox County Extension office, 4259 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes, and the Daviess County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1 4-H Way, Washington.

Download an application at https://tinyurl.com/d4nj28ne.