Calendar: Social media marketing for small farms

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Farm to Feed: Social Media and Digital Marketing for Small Farms will be 6 to 8 p.m. March 5 at Kane County Extension, 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

In today’s digital marketplace, social media marketing for small farms is essential for improving visibility, increasing sales, maintaining customer connections, and building long-term loyalty.

Topics will include:

• Create engaging social media posts for your farm business that highlight your story, products, and values.

• Identify the best times to post on social media based on audience activity and platform insights.

• Measure and expand your social media reach for farms and local food businesses.

• Strengthen customer connection, engagement, and retention as your operation grows.

Grow your online presence for your farm business. Strengthen your farm brand identity. Increase your impact in your local food community.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mrys95ya.

Urban Farmers

CHICAGO — Urban Farm Plan Showcase will be 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 21 at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago.

The event will feature five past trainees in the Cook County Extension Master Urban Farmer Training Program who will discuss their business plans. A buffet lunch will be served.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc7hr5pf.

4-H Soup Dinner

ALEDO, Ill. — Mercer County 4-H Soup Dinner will be 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Aledo Fire Station, 211 SE 3rd St., Aledo.

Each 4‑H club will be featuring its own homemade soup — sample them all, then vote for your favorite.

Meal includes a sample of every soup, one full serving of your favorite soup, crackers, drink and cookie

Meals are by donation, and all proceeds support the Mercer County 4‑H Program.

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

Ag Outlook Breakfast

ROCKVILLE, Ind. — Ag Outlook Breakfast will be 8:30 to 11 a.m. ET Feb. 24 at Parke County Extension, 1472 N. U.S. Hwy. 41, Rockville.

Chris Gonso, Indiana State Department of Agriculture hardwoods program manager, will discuss timber values and trends. Austin Pearson, assistant state climatologist, Indiana State Climate Office, will give the weather outlook for the coming growing season.

To register, call 765-569-3176 or email Kurt Lanzone at klanzone@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2hjjp88f.

Pest Management

ROCKVILLE, Ind. — Parke County Pest Management Conference will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Feb. 27 at Parke County Extension, 1472 N. U.S. Hwy. 41, Rockville.

Topics will include insect, weed and disease management.

Contact the Extension office to register at 765-569-3176 or email Kurt Lanzone at klanzone@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4jzu2uu3.

Gardener’s Pathway

SYCAMORE, Ill. — Gardener’s Pathway and Artisan Market will be 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore.

Keynote speaker will be Mark Dwyer, garden manager of the Healing Garden at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services in southern Wisconsin.

Breakout session topics will include:

• Gardening with Spring Ephemerals

• East/West — The Japanese Tea Garden: A Personal Journey

• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Tomatoes But Were Afraid to Ask

• Design Combinations for Pollinators

• In the Garden Lens: Photography & Videography — Tips for Plants and Pollinators

• Secrets of Seed Whisperers

• Downsizing Your Garden Without Downsizing Your Joy

• Roots, Shoots, and Second Chances

• Top Tips for Growing Tomatoes

The Artisan Market will offer garden‑inspired crafts, décor, and unique handmade items. Local nurseries will also be on-site with plants and gardening supplies to kick-start your spring projects.

Volunteers will be ready to share research-based advice to help your garden thrive at the Master Gardener Help Desk.

The day also includes continental breakfast, lunch and door prizes.

Cost is $50. Register at https://tinyurl.com/48cm4ddw or call 815-758-8194.

Gardening Insights

DECATUR, Ill. — Gardening Insights will be 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Feb. 28 at Life Foursquare Church, 2954 W. Ash Ave., Decatur.

Join the Macon County master gardeners for a morning packed with inspiring gardening sessions. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, you’ll pick up fresh ideas, tips, and tricks to help you plan and prepare for a successful 2026 growing season. Items will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors during the event.

Session topics and activities will include:

• Bees and Sustainability

• Improving Your Garden’s Soil Health

• Adding Color to Your Shade Garden in All Four Seasons

• Smarter Garden Design: Using AI As a Tool, Not a Substitute

• Spice Up Your Garden: Growing Ginger at Home

• Buzz on Beekeeping

• Tree Care and Soils

• Winter Seed Sowing

• Humming Right Along: How to Welcome Hummingbirds to Your Garden

• History of Gardening and Landscaping

• Contrarian Vegetable Gardening

• Floral Arrangements

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y2c87d4s.

Joys of Gardening

FREEPORT, Ill. — Joys of Gardening will be 8:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Highland Community College Student Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.

Session topics will include:

• Gardening for Hummingbirds

• Salvias: Hidden Treasures for your Pollinator Garden

• Growing Forward: What’s New for 2026

• Seed Starting for Success: Pocket-Friendly and Eco-Smart Methods

• Native Plant Solutions for Challenging Landscape Situations

• Tree and Shrub Establishment

• Your Toolbox for a Showcase Landscape

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mxxf6r47 or call 815-235-4125.

Winter on the Wabash

MT. CARMEL, Ind. — Beall Woods — Winter on the Wabash will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT Feb. 28 at Beall Woods Nature Center, 9285 Beall Woods Fire Lane, Mt. Carmel.

Hike through Beall Woods to learn about woodpeckers and winter tree identification. After lunch, experts will demonstrate forestry stewardship tools and UAVs, and share available resources for woodland maintenance.

Cost is $5 and lunch will be provided. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yffxnvzd or call 812-431-1811.

Day of Dabbling

OREGON, Ill. — 4-H Day of Dabbling will be 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 28 at Oregon Church of God, 860 W. Oregon Trail Road, Oregon.

Designed for children and teens ages 5 to 18, Day of Dabbling encourages young people to explore new skills through interactive sessions that spark imagination and problem‑solving. Participants can dive into activities such as 3‑D Printing, Soap Making, LEGO Challenge, Stained Glass Art, Chocolate Around the World, and many other hands‑on experiences.

Day of Dabbling offers a welcoming space for children to try new things, meet new friends, and discover interests they may carry with them for years to come.

Cost is $10. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/355jwzem.

Livestock Clinic

YORKVILLE, Ill. — Youth Large Animal Livestock Clinic will be 9:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 IL-71, Yorkville.

Participants will learn insights from professionals in the livestock industry. This workshop also will satisfy the YQCA requirement for this year’s fairs.

Cost is $3. Register at https://tinyurl.com/27hum6hu.

Fish and Wildlife Workshop

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Fish and Wildlife Workshop will be 1 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Step into the world of wildlife with Kelly Ishmael, U.S. wildlife inspector, for a hands‑on experience that brings the wonders, and challenges, of global wildlife conservation to life.

Ishmael will open her trunk of wildlife parts and products, giving participants the chance to see and touch real items encountered in the field. Along the way, she’ll share stories, insights, and eye‑opening facts from her work protecting species around the world.

She’ll discuss:

• Wildlife identification skills

• How wildlife is protected through laws and enforcement

• The surprising ways inspectors uncover smuggled wildlife

• How global wildlife trade impacts animal populations

For more information about this free event, visit https://tinyurl.com/3w8j5zm9.

4-H Dinner and Auction

CHRISNEY, Ind. — Support the Spencer County 4-H Program by attending the annual 4-H Pork Chop Dinner and Auction, 5 to 9 p.m. CT Feb. 28 at Spencer County Youth & Community Center, 1101 E CR 800 N, Chrisney.

All money raised helps support local 4-H programs.

Cost is $15 per ticket, available from any 4-H member or the Extension office. For more information, call 812-362-8066 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3hj66uaw.

Focus on the Future

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy will be 10 a.m. to 3 p..m. March 2 at I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S. 1st St., Champaign.

There are significant and detailed decisions to be made when owning a farm and building a legacy.

Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy events will feature critical and practical updates for farmers, landowners, and agricultural stakeholders on the current agricultural environment, including succession planning, asset stewardship, farm bill, and market conditions.

Discussion will cover practical topics, including:

• Building Strong Landowner-Tenant Relationships

• Understanding Today’s Farm Economics

• Conservation and Sustainability Updates

• Farm Succession Planning

The cost is $20 with lunch included. For those who cannot attend in person, a hybrid online option will be available.

4-H Chicken Dinner

HEBRON, Ill. — McHenry County 4-H Crandall’s Chicken Dinner Fundraiser will be 4 to 8 p.m. March 2 at Crandall’s Restaurant, 10441 IL-47, Hebron.

Dine in or carry-out. There will be drawings, prizes, a 50/50 raffle.

Cost is $18. Every dinner helps support the youth programs of McHenry County 4‑H.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3nuv24x6.

Preserve Smart

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In celebration of National Nutrition Month, Purdue Extension educators will be offering Preserve Smart, a virtual food preservation series, 6 to 7 p.m. ET Mondays in March.

Topics will include:

• Preserve Smart: What’s Right for You?, March 2

• Water Bath Canning High-Acid Foods, March 9

• Dehydration 101, March 16

• Pressure Canning Low-Acid Foods, March 23

• Freeze Drying, March 30

Cost is $20 for all virtual sessions. Register at https://tinyurl.com/6xkn3m3m.

Succession Planning

OTTAWA, Ill. — Succession Planning for Farm Families will be 11 a.m. to noon March 3 at the La Salle County Farm Bureau, 1691 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

Planning for the future of your farm is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family’s legacy. Learn practical strategies to keep your land in the family, navigate legal and financial considerations, and ensure a smooth transition for the next generation.

Birds in the Garden

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Birds in the Garden: Creating and Enjoying a Bird Oasis will be 7 to 8 p.m. March 3 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Discover the joy of transforming your outdoor space into a thriving haven for birds and pollinators. Certified professional gardener and garden designer Pam Karlson will share insights from her own Chicago bird‑friendly garden, which has attracted more than 100 bird species.

Karlson will guide participants through practical, achievable ways to support wildlife right at home. Topics include thoughtful landscape enhancements, sustainable gardening practices, and strategic plant selection. She also will discuss the power of native plants to provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities. Whether you garden on a balcony, in a small yard, or across a larger landscape, Karlson’s experience demonstrates how intentional design can make a meaningful difference for migratory and resident birds alike.

In addition to her gardening expertise, Karlson brings her perspective as a licensed wildlife and migratory bird rescue and rehabilitation volunteer, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges birds face and how gardeners can help.

Gateway Green

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Gateway Green Conference will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 4 at Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville.

Natural resource professionals play a key role in protecting our communities’ environmental assets. With ongoing research and changing conditions, it’s increasingly important to adopt responsible stewardship, manage emerging diseases and pests, and apply sustainable practices that support our future.

This full-day event offers a platform for sharing new ideas and research-based information as experts explore three vital tracks: building sustainable landscapes, conservation stewardship, and tree care.

Cost is $85. Register at https://tinyurl.com/78dj5ct6.

Pasture Management

SALEM, Ill. — Pasture Management Workshop will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at Marion County Extension, 1404 E. Main St., Salem.

Farmers will learn foundational principles and innovative management tools to strengthen pasture health and increase pasture forage by utilizing cover crops.

Introduction to Hydroponics

OREGON, Ill. — Introduction to Hydroponics will be 10 to 11 a.m. March 5 at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

During this hands-on session, discover:

• What hydroponics is and how it works

• Which plants thrive in hydroponic systems

• How to cultivate, maintain, and harvest your setup

• Tips to get started at home

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

Pasture Improvement

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Pasture Improvement: The Basics and Beyond will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 5 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

The series will focus on management strategies to improve pasture productivity and resilience. The sessions will be held on consecutive Thursdays, March 5, March 12, and March 19.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/46whhr5n.

Solar on Your Farm

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The online program Solar on Your Farm: Key Insights Before You Sign will be noon to 1:30 p.m. ET March 6.

The free webinar will feature Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Ag Law, who will break down key legal considerations for farmers and landowners.

Topics include:

• What to look for in a solar lease — Understand important terms and potential pitfalls.

• The permitting process — Learn what steps are involved and how to navigate them.

• Being part of a co-petition — Get insight into what this means and what to expect.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/327pmrba.