Calendar: Farming for Soil Health

OTTAWA, Ill. — Sustainability on the Farm: Farming for Soil Health will be 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 22 at La Salle County Extension, 1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

Sustainability on the Farm is a series of educational programs designed to empower farmers and landowners with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable agricultural practices on their land.

During this session, learn foundational principles of soil health and explore practical strategies farmers can implement to improve soil structure, fertility, and resilience.

Lessons for Living

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The Lessons for Living program What’s Making You Sick?: Understanding Foodborne Illness will be 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at Macoupin County Extension, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

There are illnesses caused by food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins. Infectious organisms or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning. Learn how to keep from falling victim to these common illnesses.

This class is presented in collaboration with the Macoupin County Home and Community Education Association.

Registration is not required. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ucp9e4a.

Cooking with an Air Fryer

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Cooking with an Air Fryer will be 1 to 3 p.m. CT Jan. 8 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

This program is designed to introduce participants to the safe and effective use of air fryers, with a focus on food safety and healthier cooking methods. The session will provide an overview of how air fryers function, proper handling and maintenance, and best practices to ensure food safety. Additionally, participants will explore ways to reduce fat while maintaining flavor and texture.

Digital Skills

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Digital Skills Lessons: Using a Smartphone or Tablet will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET Jan. 8 at Allen County Public Library, 3030 E. Paulding Road, Fort Wayne.

Learn how to build essential skills for navigating the digital world with workshops led by Cheyanne Geideman, Extension community development educator.

This workshop is designed to cover the basic functions of both Apple and Android devices. Participants will become familiar with the layout of the device, touch on what an operating system is, and how to secure a device. At the end of the lesson, participants will have time to practice powering on, discovering the home screen, and using gestures such as scrolling, swiping, and tap/hold/drag.

Extension Open House

Mt. VERNON, Ill. — An Open House will be 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 10 at Jefferson County Extension, 4202 Williamson Place, Mt. Vernon.

This event is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the valuable resources and programs Illinois Extension offers.

During the Open House, attendees will have the chance to meet the Extension staff, explore various programs, and discover how Illinois Extension can support their needs.

For more information, call 618-242-0780 or visit https://tinyurl.com/69x84azx.

Train Your Brain

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Train Your Brain: Nutrition, Neurobics, and Notable Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy will be 1 to 3 p.m.CT Jan. 13 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Participants will learn how they may decrease their risks of cognitive decline and dementia through adopting multiple healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet, not smoking, regular exercise, cognitive stimulation, and social interactions,

Saving Money

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Finding Money Saving Programs Online will be 1 to 3 p.m. CT Jan. 16 at Porter County Aging & Community Services, 1005 Campbell St., Valparaiso.

Did you know that billions of dollars worth of benefits and reduced-cost resources go unclaimed each year? In this lecture, participants will explore useful tools that can help them find benefits and other money-saving programs, including usa.gov, benefitscheckup.org and findhelp.org.

To register, call 219-464-9904. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/h3br2n2c.

Valentine’s Cookies

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — The Valentine’s Cookie Decorating Workshop will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Jersey County Extension, 201 W. Exchange St., Jerseyville.

Learn the basics of cookie decorating with this fun, hands-on workshop. Decorators at Ginger Bean Bakery will demonstrate how to decorate beautiful and colorful Valentine-themed sugar cookies. Each participant will leave with six decorated cookies.

Sessions are 5 to 6 p.m. for ages 8 to 12, and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for ages 13 to 18.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2s3td3bz.

Winter Pruning

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Winter Fruit Tree Pruning will be 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Kane County Extension, 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator Alexis R. Barnes will discuss when and how to properly prune apple, pear, peach, and cherry trees for healthier growth, stronger structure, and bigger harvests. This hands-on fruit tree pruning class covers winter pruning techniques, common pruning and training mistakes, proper tool selection, spray schedules, and essential care tips specific to northern Illinois’ climate and growing conditions.

Perfect for backyard growers, homesteaders, beginning orchardists, commercial growers, and homeowners with overgrown or neglected fruit trees, this workshop will teach you how to shape strong trees, improve airflow and sunlight penetration, develop comprehensive Integrated Pest Management plans, and increase fruit production season after season.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p9vfcyc.

Ruminants Roundup

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Health and Management Roundup for Small Ruminants will be 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Join Extension Livestock Specialist Teresa Steckler for an interactive conversation on small ruminant production concerns. Steckler will be focusing on current and emerging health and management issues for sheep, goats and other small ruminants.

Agronomy Summit

FAIRFIELD, Ill. — The Southeastern Agronomy Summit will be 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1700 Outer W Delaware St., Fairfield.

Presentations will include Dealing with Wind and Water in Illinois; Farm Management and Budgeting for 2026; Phosphorus in Illinois: The Old, the New, and the Future; The Challenge of Group 15 Herbicide Resistance in Waterhemp; and The Economics of Soil Health.

There is not cost to attend and registration includes all presentations, light refreshments, and lunch.

Beef Conference

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Driftless Region Beef Conference will be noon to 9 p.m. Jan. 22, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 23 at Grand River Convention Center, 500 Bell St., Dubuque, Iowa.

Attendees will experience keynote sessions, select from various workshop topics to develop a customized program, and participate in the popular Bull Pen discussion on Thursday evening, all around reinvesting in the ranch. Visit with conference sponsors in the display area, and learn about the products and services they offer, as well as connect with many fellow beef producers from the region.

Conference presentations will include: Practical Biosecurity Recommendations; Ticks, Trouble and the Herd – Staying One Step Ahead; Genetic Selection for the “Right” Cows; Marketing Your Management: Adding Value and Reputation Through Intentional Calf Management; and Cattle Market Outlook.

Lumbermen’s Convention

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association Convention & Exposition will be Feb. 2-4 at JW Marriott Indianapolis, 10 S. West St., Indianapolis.

The event brings together hardwood industry loggers, manufacturers, brokers and equipment suppliers for education, networking and trade. Sessions include panels on trade policy and global markets, and the exhibit hall showcases leading vendors.

Feb. 2 schedule includes Board of Directors’ Meetings at 1 p.m. ET, and Welcome Reception at 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 will feature the Tree Farmer Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and exhibits from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Feb. 4 will include Fellowship of Christian Lumbermen Meeting at 7 a.m., IHLA Annual Meeting with Breakfast at 8 a.m., exhibits from 10 to 1 p.m., and Closing Reception from 5 to 6 p.m.

For more information, including a list of session topics, visit https://tinyurl.com/2cf7fs35.