Calendar: Emerging invasive species in Illinois

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Emerging Invasive Species Across Illinois will be 2 to 3 p.m. July 30.

Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois Extension specialist, forest management and ecology, will cover emerging invasive species based on several sources of information, including land managers, surveys, citizen science, and expert opinions. Species covered will include some new-to-Illinois in recent years and some species actively spreading from one region to another where they will be new invaders. Examples include Amur maple, wineberry, chaff flower, stiltgrass, spotted lanternfly, and others. Ecological characteristics, current and native distributions, spread pathways, and control techniques for each species will be covered.

Learn to Can

DANVERS, Ill. — The Learn to Can: Tomatoes and Tomato Products will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 28 at the Danvers Township Community Building, 898 N. West St., Danvers.

This class will offer hands-on experience in preparing and preserving salsa. Participants will review the step-by-step procedures of home canning, receive the latest safety guidelines and practice hands-on canning in the kitchen. Participants will take home new resources, recipes and a jar of the product prepared in class.

Cost is $10. Register at 309-963-4269 or email danvers.tl.rsa@gmail.com. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2juxc2uw.

NRCS Field Day

CHICAGO — NRCS Field Day will be 5 to 7 p.m. July 30 at La Villita Park, 3018 S. Albany Ave., Chicago.

Extension educators will discuss soil stewardship and conservation practices implemented at the La Villita Community Farm. Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS soil conservationists for Cook County, will be on-site to meet farmers and answer questions about applying for reimbursement programs related to soil health that are available to small-scale urban growers.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/h255mbbb.

Illinois Forage Expo

DAVIS, Ill. — The Illinois Forage Expo will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 at Eric Stiegler Farm, 9776 IL-75, Davis.

New equipment from various manufacturers will be on display and factory representatives and local dealers will be on hand to answer questions about the equipment. Field demonstration of hay equipment will include mowing, tedding, raking, baling, silage chopping, and bale wrapping. Commercial displays of forage-related products and equipment will be found in the vendor’s tent.

Speaker topics kick off at 10 a.m. and include NRCS Updates and Cost Share Programs, Josh Franks, NRCS; Pasture Improvement and Weed Control, Kathryn Seebruck, University of Illinois Extension; and How Can Forage Quality Impact Animal Performance, Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension.

Also, a Quality Hay & Haylage Contest will be available for producers to enter 2025 harvested hay and haylage bales. Contest entries must be delivered on-site from 8:30 to 10 a.m. There is no entry fee and near-infrared spectroscopy analysis will be provided free of charge. Bales weighing over 100 pounds need an official scale weigh ticket. Four hay classes and one haylage class will be available and class winners will receive a certificate. Producers are limited to one entry per class. The Quality Hay & Haylage Contest is sponsored by Agri-King.

The Illinois Forage Expo is sponsored by the Northwestern Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council and the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council. The expo is supported by University of Illinois Extension and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

There is no admission charge for the expo; food will be available for purchase on-site. For more information, call Don Brown at 815-238-8372 or visit https://tinyurl.com/436wshv5.

Ag Climate Tools

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Harnessing Ag Climate Tools will be 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 30 at the Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Lane, Bloomington.

Topics will include United Soybean Board-funded project findings; ag climate decision support tools; demonstration of a new ag weather decision dashboard; and future tool development.

For more information, contact mrcc@purdue.edu, or visit https://tinyurl.com/ywh25r8j.

Pollinator Palooza

NORMAL, Ill. — Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles are crucial to our ecosystem, helping produce nearly a third of the food we eat and sustaining over 80% of flowering plants. Celebrate their importance at the Pollinator Palooza, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon Ave., Normal.

This free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, games, and booths from local organizations dedicated to pollinators, native plants, and local nature spaces.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/29b2j3ts.

Soul Food

BELLWOOD, Ill. — The program Soul Food Remixed will be 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave., Bellwood.

Learn the history of soul food in the United States and how traditional elements of the African-American diet can be built upon to improve health. Learn ways to cook traditional dishes in healthier ways in this program presented by Community Health Extension Educator Leilah Siegel.

Crop Scouting

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Youth Crop Scouting Competition will be 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research and Education Center, 4202 S. 1st St., Champaign.

The competition is a unique opportunity for high school students interested in agriculture to work as a team to explore and help solve today’s crop-related issues. The competition is a platform for students to demonstrate their expertise, skills, and knowledge towards becoming future agriculture professionals.

Teams are scored by judges, including University faculty, graduate students, specialists, and Extension educators. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top four scoring teams. The top two teams will advance to compete against students in other states and represent Illinois at the regional competition.

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

Growing in the Greenhouse

DIXON, Ill. — The program Growing in the Greenhouse will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 4-7 at the Sauk Valley Community College Greenhouse, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Participants ages 9 and up will explore the world of plants and how they grow in containers and through hydroponic systems. During the four sessions, participants will learn how to propagate plants and use those techniques to create plants to take home with them.

Cost is $35. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4bj2djfc.

Canning Salsa

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Canning Salsa with Confidence will be 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Learn safe water bath canning techniques in this hands-on workshop. Participants will make and take home a jar of peach apple salsa.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/34at25pd.

Cover Crop Roundtable

OTTAWA, Ill. — The Cover Crop Roundtable Discussion will be 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at La Salle County Farm Bureau, 1691 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

This event will be an opportunity for growers to network, share ideas, and problem solve about the challenges and benefits that come with using cover crops. This roundtable discussion will bring together both experienced growers and those who may be new to cover crops or looking to refine their practices.

Meet Your Farmer

NEWARK, Ill. — The Farmacy Farmstand, 7260 Oakbrook Road, Newark, will be the site of the Meet Your Farmer Series, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

Grower Pearl Carpenter will host a field tour to discuss her growing practices and the evolution of her business, The Farmacy Farmstand. Extension Educator Alexis R. Barnes will be on-site to discuss common heat-stress concerns in flower production.

Since 2017, Carpenter has expanded The Fancy Farmstand to offer over 100 varieties of cut flowers, vegetables and herbs, all grown on-site at the farm. She also has incorporated events, yoga, and gardening classes, as well as a seasonal flower buffet to grow her mission of connecting people to health and nature.

Pickling, Canning Workshop

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Learn the basics of pickling and boiling water bath canning at a hands-on workshop, 5 to 9 p.m. ET Aug. 14 at : Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne.

Participants will prepare and process a recipe to take home. Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/33vkavpy.

Barn Quilt Workshop

SALEM, Ind. — The Barn Quilt Creation Workshop will be 5:30 p.m. ET Aug. 11, Aug. 12, Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 at the Washington County Government Building Meeting Room, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem.

The workshop is for all skill levels and no prior experience is required. Each class will include demonstrations, educational content, and fellowship in a creative atmosphere. All supplies (wood boards, paint, brushes, etc.) are provided. During registration, participants will be asked to identify a specific design and three color choices for their 2-by-2-foot barn quilt.

The workshop is free, thanks to generous support from the Indiana Arts Commission. Register by calling the Washington County Extension office at 812-883-4601 or visit https://tinyurl.com/yb9kcrka.

Soil & Water Field Day

KOUTS, Ind. — Soil & Water Field Day will be 9 a.m. to noon CT Aug. 13 at the Kouts American Legion, 959 W. Indiana St., Kouts.

Speaker will be Jamie Scott of J and A Scott Farms, Pierceton. Scott utilizes a variety of conservation practices on the ground he farms, including cover crops and no-till.

The free program is presented by the Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District in cooperation with Purdue Extension. Lunch will be provided.

Local Foods Tour

SALEM, Ind. — The Washington County Local Foods Tour will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET Aug. 23 at Southern Hills Church, 1645 Hwy. 135 S, Salem. Participants will travel by tour bus to three Washington County farms, including Blue River BEEF, Hunter’s Ridge Winery, and Cornucopia Farm LLC, to learn about beef, wine, and pumpkin production.

Following the tour at 5:30 p.m., participants will enjoy a meal prepared with local foods while hearing an educational presentation about the importance of supporting local businesses. Local vendors will be available before, during, and after the meal.

Cost is $25 and includes snacks and drinks during the tour and the meal. Register at the Washington County Extension office, 806 Martinsburg Road, Suite 104, Salem. For more information, contact Danielle Walker, Purdue Extension educator, at 812-883-4601, dhowellw@purdue.edu; or visit https://tinyurl.com/353rnpsm.

Making, Canning Salsa

FORT WAYNE, Iind. — The program Making and Canning Salsa will be 3 to 7 p.m. ET Aug. 28 at Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne.

Participants will learn the basics of boiling water bath canning and process a recipe to take home.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2tdw594d.