Calendar: Selecting apples for specific uses

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All About Apples will be 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Champaign County Extension Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

Heather Cupps-Miller, an experienced Illinois Extension master gardener and a certified crop advisor, will explain the history of apples, how we got to the varieties that are available now, and selecting apples for specific uses — cooking/baking vs. eating out of hand. She will also discuss which trees are best grown in the local area, typical diseases and pests of apple trees, and selecting apples for specific uses.

Participants will sample some apple varieties and receive a worksheet to keep and refer to when purchasing apples.

Bird-Friendly Yards

PEKIN, Ill. — Green Connections: Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard will be noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at Grace United Methodist Church, 601 N. 4th St., Pekin.

Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, Extension horticulture educator, will share information about creating a bird-friendly yard.

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/2tm9bdhw.

Growing Bulbs

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Growing Bulbs, a Growing Community Series with DeWitt and Piatt master gardeners, will be noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Learn how to select, plant and care for your bulbs, and create stunning displays of color in your garden.

Backyard Foraging

DANVILLE, Ill. — The program Backyard Foraging will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

Karla Griesbaum, University of Illinois Extension natural resources, environment and energy educator, will discuss the surprising variety of edible wild foods that may be growing right in your own backyard.

Soil Archive

GRANVILLE, Ill. — Ever wonder how our soil has changed over the last 100 years? Discover the incredible story behind the University of Illinois Soil Lab’s Centennial Soil Archive Project, 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Putnam County Library, 214 S. Mccoy St., Granville.

A key piece of Illinois’ agricultural heritage is a world-class, one-of-a-kind soil sample archive collected when local soils were first surveyed.

As early as 1899, soil types across the state were mapped by sampling fields to three-foot depth and characterizing the distinct soil layers. Predecessors had the foresight to keep records of sampling locations and to store these soil samples on the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus.

Learn how this historical treasure helps us understand everything from the impact of farming practices to the effects of climate change. Participants will also learn about the resampling efforts going on across the state and how you can get involved.

Pollinator Power

DEER CREEK, Ill. — The Pollinator Power Workshop will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Deer Creek District Library, 205 E. 1st Ave., Deer Creek.

Discover how to create pollinator-friendly gardens using containers and native plants. Participants will make a native seed ball, and craft a butterfly puddler to take home.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4r58s784.

Canning with Confidence

BRADFORD, Ill. — Canning with Confidence will be 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Bradford Public Library, 111 S. Peoria St., Bradford.

Learn the essentials of home canning and gain the confidence to preserve your favorite foods safely. Kristin Bogdonas, Extension nutrition and wellness educator, will discuss proper techniques for using a water bath canner, including electric models, as well as steam canners and pressure canners. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions, tested recipes, helpful resources, and video demonstrations of these canners in action.

Register for this free program by contacting Sarah Boehm at the library, 309-897-8400. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/49uxmx6k.

Heart Smart Eating

CLINTON, Ill. — Heart Smart Eating will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Vespasian Warner Public Library, 310 N. Quincy St., Clinton.

Attendees will develop skills to support shopping and cooking heart-healthy meals.

Register for this free program by calling the library at 217-935-5174. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvxnysrt.

Sourdough Starter

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — Sourdough Starter Made Simple will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Jerseyville Public Library, 105 N. Liberty St., Jerseyville.

In this hands-on class, participants will learn how to create sourdough starter from scratch. Each participant will leave with a jar of starter.

Register by calling Jerseyville Public Library at 618-498-9514. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mpdckh77.

Nature Trails

HUDSON, Ill. — Nature Trails Day will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at COMLARA Park, 13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson.

This fun-filled family event offers opportunities to hike the trails, learn up close about fish in Illinois, and engage in hands-on activities. The cost is $5 per family or group, which includes a complimentary hiking bag courtesy of COMLARA Park, filled with useful hiking supplies and resources to enhance your outdoor experience.

Forestry Field Tour

UPLAND, Ind. — The Forestry Field Tour will be 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET Sept. 20 at the Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources Miller Woodlands, 5434 County Road 1150E, Upland.

Learn forest management techniques to regenerate oak and improve growth of young stands.

Topics will include oak management techniques, how to select crop trees, and how to ID and manage oak wilt.

Cost is $10 which includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mtyfxfyb. For questions, call 765-651-2413.

Pumpkin Planters

DIXON, Ill. — Pumpkin Planters will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Sauk Valley Community College Greenhouse, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Participants will create a planter to take home. Cost is $29. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5wxrsxvj.

Color of Autumn

WATERLOO, Ill. — The Color of Autumn program will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo.

Autumn is still a busy time of year in the garden. Explore a variety of horticulture topics, including dividing perennials, soil sampling, raised-bed gardening, and urban forestry.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3zr2z6tz.

Name That Tree

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The program Name That Tree and ID That Wood will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sept. 23 at Purdue University Martell Forest, County Road 100 N, West Lafayette.

Get hands-on experience in identifying local hardwood species of trees when looking at bark, leaves and twigs, and practice distinguishing and identifying wood from these trees.

There also will be an overview of common invasive plants and a discussion about Midwest hardwoods as a carbon-sequestering material.

Featured speakers will be Lenny Farlee, Purdue University Extension forester, and Eva Haviarova, professor of wood science at Purdue University.

Cost is $79. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3xu69n8p.

Journey to Health

CHICAGO — Sleep: Recharge, Refresh and Reenergize will be the first topic in the Journey to Health webinar series, noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 23.

Lack of proper sleep can lead to higher levels of stress. Explore strategies to allow your body more rest and better sleep.

Other topics in the free series include: Explore Plant-Based Eating, Sept. 30; Understanding Your Nervous System Through Polyvagal Theory, Oct. 7; Maternal Well-being: A Healthy You for a Healthy Family, Oct. 14; Mindful Eating: Your Roadmap to Better Health, Oct. 21; Reignite Your Spark: Overcoming Burnout and Restoring Balance, Oct. 28; and Opioid Overdose Prevention: Statistics, Symptoms, and Using Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips. Nov. 4.

Learn to Can

MAHOMET, Ill. — Join Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen for an informative presentation on canning, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept 23 at the Mahomet Public Library, 1702 E. Oak St., Mahomet.

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

Tree ID Walk

BUTLER, Ill. — The Tree ID Walk will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26 at H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary, 194 Bremer Lane, Butler.

Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will discuss how to identify tree species by their leaves, bark and shape, and explore native tree species. Learn about key ID characteristics as well as how to use a dichotomous key to identify trees. There will be light hiking on uneven terrain.

Tree Identification

MARSHALL, Ill. — Tree Identification will be 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 26 at Lincoln Trail State Park, Red Oak Shelter, 16985 E 1350th Rd, Marshall.

Tom Hintz, Lincoln Trail State Park site superintendent, will discuss tree characteristics and how to identify them.

Be sure to wear appropriate shoes for walking on uneven terrain.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/md4sejjp.

Invasive Species

NASHVILLE, Ind. — The program Invasive Species in Brown County Forests will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Sept. 29 at Brown County State Park, 1801 IN-46, Nashville.

Brown County State Park Naturalist Eli Majors and Purdue Extension Educator Mary Callaghan will discuss the history and modern management of invasive species in Brown County forests. The first part of this event will take place at the Nature Center in Brown County State Park, followed by a short hike to identify some common invasive species.

Cost is $7. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc6br7a7.

Farmland Leases

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Farm Lease Fundamentals Program will be 8 to 9:30 a.m. ET Sept. 30 at the Elkhart County Extension office,17746 County Road 34, Goshen.

Setting a fair farmland rental rate can be challenging, and maintaining good relationships with tenants is just as important. Learn how rent is determined, ways to keep agreements fair, and tips for open communication so leasing runs smoothly for both sides.

The program also will be available via Zoom.

To register, call Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or email jennin30@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/s4ru24hv.

Farm Records

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Farm Records Program will be 5 to 7 p.m. ET Sept. 30 at the Goshen Public Library, 601 S. 5th St., Goshen.

The program is designed to help farmers build strong financial habits by learning how to create and manage a farm budget and maintain accurate financial records. Participants will gain practical tools for tracking income and expenses, understanding cash flow, and using records to make informed business decisions.

To register, contact Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or email jennin30@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3uz5npb3.