Calendar: Workshop covers goat breeding, showing

FAIRFIELD, Ill. — Goats: Managing, Breeding, and Showing with Success will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13.

Wayne County 4-H and the Illinois Meat Goat Producers have partnered to host this workshop for both the beginner and advanced goat showman.

The morning session begins at 9 a.m. at Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1700 Outer W. Delaware St., Fairfield. Guest speakers will discuss breed characteristics and goat nutrition.

The afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. at the Wayne County Fairground barns, 1295 W. Main St., Fairfield. Catherine Riley, American Boer Goat Association board member, will cover ABGA updates, a fitting demonstration, and what to have in your show box.

Attendees are encouraged to attend both sessions but are welcome to choose the one that suits their interests best. Youth are encouraged to attend, regardless of their experience raising and showing goats. Youth participants do not have to be members of 4-H and do not need to bring a goat to the workshop. Families are welcome to accompany the participants.

A cash-only, concession-style lunch will be available from noon 1 p.m. at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, provided by the Wayne County Livestock Judging Team and Emerging Leaders. Transportation will not be available from the morning session to the afternoon session.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2aftcy42, or contact Ryan Littlejohn, Wayne County 4-H Youth Development Extension program coordinator, at 618-842-3702, rclittle@illinois.edu.

Renewable Energy

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Renewable Energy in Illinois will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.

Andrea Wagner, University of Illinois Extension sustainable energy specialist, will discuss renewable energy and climate change, Illinois’ renewable energy generation goals, and the process for permitting utility-scale wind and solar farms.

Energy Grid Resiliency

URBANA, Ill. — Energy Grid Resiliency will be the topic of the online Resilient Communities Webinar Series, noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 9.

Explore how the power grid works in Illinois, why resilience is essential, and how grid disruptions impact communities. Participants will also learn from industry experts about the tools and strategies available to improve grid performance, and how community voices can help shape a more reliable and equitable energy system.

The Union of Concerned Scientists recently released “Keeping Everyone’s Lights On,” a report highlighting ways to strengthen the power grid to withstand extreme weather and serve communities equitably.

Speakers from the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists will include Sam Gomberg, associate director, Transmission Policy; James Gignac, Midwest Policy director; and Sital Sathia, research officer. Also speaking will be Rachel Licker, principal climate scientist, Connected Science LLC.

The second webinar in this two-part series, Building a Resilient Illinois Energy Grid, will be Sept. 16. For more information about the series, contact Linda Derhak at lderhak2@illinois.edu.

Gardener Training

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Gardener Training will be 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Sept. 9-Nov. 25, at the Madison County Farm Bureau, 900 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville.

The training, designed for gardening enthusiasts of all experience levels, combines the flexibility of online learning with the benefits of in-person support and discussion. Weekly sessions will be held on Tuesdays at the Extension office.

Those interested in giving back to their community can also attend an optional master gardener volunteer meeting on Dec. 2 to learn about volunteer opportunities.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdd5y47a.

Soups and Stews

NORTH UTICA, Ill. — Hearty Soups and Stews will be 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Utica Public Library, 224 Mill St., North Utica.

Warm up this fall and winter with nourishing, comforting, and hydrating soups. Discover different types of soups, flavor-boosting garnishes, and how to set up a soup bar. Enjoy tasting a sample of soup in class and take home recipes and resources.

The program will be repeated 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Peru Public Library, 1409 11th St., Peru. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5d9eaf9h.

Woodland Field Day

OXFORD, Ind. — Woodland Field Day will be 10 a.m. ET Sept. 10 at 8651 S 600 E, Oxford.

Topics will include: Forestry Programs, Invasive Species Management, Wildlife Habitat Management, and Timber Services.

RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/yabhr4an. For more information, call 765-884-0660 or email naturalresourcestech.bcswcd@gmail.com.

Extension Annual Meeting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Allen County Extension Board Annual Meeting will be 4 to 6 p.m. ET Sept. 10 at Omni Room, Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne.

This open house-style event will highlight the impact of Purdue Extension programs in Allen County during the last year. The meeting will include updates from educators, a short business meeting, and opportunities for networking and collaboration. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by visiting https://tinyurl.com/4xw4fh7e.

Pollinators in the Park

CLINTON, Ill. — Pollinators in the Park presented by DeWitt and Piatt County master gardeners will be 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at the Weldon Springs State Park School House, 4734 Weldon Springs Road, Clinton.

Learn how to choose native plants and design a pollinator pocket garden.

Native Garden Design

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension and Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield will be offering a four-part native landscape design series.

Topics will include:

• Create a Native Garden from Scratch, 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at Ostermeier Demonstration Garden, Prairie Center, Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, Springfield.

• Introduction to Native Landscape Design, 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield.

• The Essentials of Your Native Garden Design, 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at at Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center.

• Design and Draw Your Own Native Garden Workshop, 1 to 3 p.m. March 7 at Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center

Build a Meal

THOMSON, Ill. — Join Illinois Master Gardener Nancy Gmitro for a series on how to build a delicious, creative meal around one special food ingredient. This free, hands-on series will take place at the York Township Public Library, 1005 W. Main St., Thomson, beginning 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Future classes will be Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15.

Ro register, call the library at 815-259-2480. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4myfkpcd.

Managing Yard Waste

ELIZABETH, Ill. — The program Successfully Managing Your Yard Waste with Compost will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Jay Solomon, natural resources, environment, and energy educator with University of Illinois Extension, will talk about how to turn your yard waste into nutrient-rich compost that supports healthier gardens and a more sustainable environment.

NRCS Field Day

SKOKIE, Ill. — Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Day will be 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Talking Farm, 3669 Howard St., Skokie.

Extension educators and Jack Phillips, The Talking Farm production manager, will discuss conservation practices at the urban 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. Reimbursable conservation practices that are available to small-scale urban growers also will be discussed.

Flower Arranging

MT. CARMEL, Ill. — Fun with Flower Arranging will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Wabash County Extension office, 738 N. Market St., Mt. Carmel.

Join Extension Educator Katie Bell to learn the basics of flower arranging. Participants will learn color theory, elements of design, and build their own take-home flower arrangement. Participants are encouraged to bring gardening gloves and hand pruners.

Homegrown Harvest

DECATUR, Ill. — Homegrown Harvest: Tool Maintenance, Fall Cleanup and Planting Garlic will be the topics of the Homegrown Harvest gardening workshop series, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at the 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.

Workshop materials will be provided; bring your own gloves and tools. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3urevunz.

Windowsill Wonders

MAROA, Ill. — Windowsill Wonders: Herb Magic will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Maroa Public Library, 305 Garfield St., Maroa.

Discover the magic of herbs by learning how to cut, dry, and cook with fresh herbs from your own windowsill. Participants will plant rosemary, basil, and dill to take home. Register by calling 217-935-5764 or visit https://tinyurl.com/mtpxnyk5.

Gardening Tips

ALEDO, Ill. — Fall Harvest of Horticulture: Pollinator Wisdom and Seasonal Gardening Tips will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Aledo Fire Station, 211 SE 3rd St., Aledo.

The Native Pollinator presentation will include information on the essential role insects play in pollination and how to design a landscape that supports and welcomes them.

The Seasonal Garden Tasks for Year-Round Success presentation will include information on seasonal tasks and timely tips, from planting trees to repotting houseplants and fertilizing lawns.

This event is for gardeners of all levels. Get expert advice, practical takeaways, and connect with fellow plant lovers in your community.

Learn to Can

HOOPESTON, Ill. — The program Learn to Can will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Hoopeston Public Library, 110 N. 4th St., Hoopeston.

Learn valuable skills to preserve your harvest and enjoy delicious homemade canned goods year-round.

Soul Food Remixed

BELLWOOD, Ill. — Soul Food Remixed will be 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave., Bellwood.

Community Health Extension Educator Leilah Siegel will discuss how traditional elements of African-American cooking can be built upon to improve health.

Nature Navigators

ALBION, Ind. — Nature Navigators for students in grades 3-12 will begin with kayaking at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at Chain O’ Lakes State Park, 2355 E 75 S, Albion.

Learn about local flora and fauna while participating in fun hands-on activities at four Indiana state parks. Participants will earn a special pin from each park and participate in a unique activity.

Other activities in the series will include: Bison feeding and fire tower Oct. 11 at Ouabache State Park in Bluffton, hiking Nov. 15 at Salamonie State Park in Andrews, and toboganning Jan. 17 at Pokagon State Park in Angola.

Cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt, park fee, activities, pins, and a snack. Volunteers are welcome to attend for $5 to cover the cost of the T-shirt.