Calendar: Embryology in the Classroom chick adoption

PEKIN, Ill. — Embryology in the Classroom Program: Chick Adoption Day will be 5 to 6 p.m. March 20 at Tazewell County Extension, 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin.

The 4-H Embryology in the Classroom program has chicks to offer for free. The chicks have been hatched by local teachers and students. They are straight run, white leghorn breed. You will need to provide your own way to transport your chicks home.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4s5ay7m4.

Invention Convention

INDIANAPOLIS — 4-H members will showcase their inventions at Invention Convention, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET March 14 at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Participants will compete for awards to advance to the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals Competition at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.

Participating students should have worked through the seven steps of the invention process using the Invention Convention Worldwide curriculum in their classrooms, 4-H clubs, or other community organizations to develop a prototype and to communicate their experiences through an inventor logbook, display board, and live presentation.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2aursyaf.

VCMG Garden Day

DANVILLE, Ill. — Vermilion County Master Gardener Garden Day will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14 at Danville Area Community College, Bremer Conference Center, 2000 E. Main St., Danville.

The $35 full-day ticket includes access to the day’s speakers, lunch from the DACC Culinary Arts School, and a bag filled with handouts. All proceeds go to help fund master gardener projects in Vermilion County.

Can’t commit to the whole day? The spring festival, with garden-themed baskets, vendors, and a silent auction, is open to the public throughout the day.

Speaker topics will include: Maximizing Your Backyard: Resources on Food Production for the Home Gardener; Gardening and Climate Change; Illinois Native Wildflowers for the Home Garden; and Mid-American Gardener.

For more information and tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/y5ekyyt6.

Growing Vegetables

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Are you new to gardening or an experienced pro? Do you want to learn more about the crops you can grow in your backyard?

Join Extension Horticulture Educator Nancy Kuhajda and Program Coordinator Holly Froning for Monday webinars all about growing vegetables.

Each one-hour session will cover a group of vegetables with similar growing needs and times and takes you from seed/variety selection through safe handling, harvest, storage and preservation. Recipes will be included. Sessions also will be recorded so you can watch at any time, even if you can’t make the initial webinar.

For each session, participants will receive seed packages, educational handouts, and some recipes, which can be picked up at your local Extension office. Packets can be mailed for an additional fee if requested.

Sessions will be held Mondays from 6-7 p.m. on Zoom from March 16 through May 4. Choose the crops you are interested in and attend as many sessions as you’d like:

March 16: Tomatoes and Peppers

March 23: The Greens: Lettuces, Spinach, Cabbages and more

March 30: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, and more

April 6: Root Crops: Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Potatoes, and Onions

April 13: Peas, Beans, and Cucumbers

April 20: Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Herbs

April 27: Pumpkins and Winter Squash

May 4: Melons and Gourds

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/594speuf.

Community Gardens

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — School and Community Gardens will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 16 at the Lake County Extension Auditorium, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

This course is designed for teachers, school staff, and parents who want to make a meaningful impact in their communities throughout the summer months. Explore how school and community gardens can become powerful learning spaces that extend far beyond the classroom.

The course also highlights practical ways to connect the garden to broader classroom concepts, helping learners understand where their food comes from and how agriculture shapes their daily lives.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/yzcdr5k4.

ServSafe Training

INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County ServSafe Manager Training and Certificate Program will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET March 19 at Marion County Extension, Discovery Hall, 1202 E. 38th St., Suite 201, Indianapolis.

ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program accredited by the National Restaurant Association and the Conference for Food Protection. The program was developed to educate food service workers about food safety.

ServSafe Food Protection Manager is the highest certification ServSafe has awarded. The manager training focuses on five aspects of food service that can affect the safety of food: Foodborne microorganisms and allergens; personal hygiene; purchasing, receiving and storage; preparation, cooking and serving; and facilities and cleaning/sanitation and pest management.

The certificate is earned by passing the ServSafe Manager exam with a 70%, and the certification is valid for five years.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3b5syzjh.

Conservation Conversations

OTTAWA, Ill. — Conservation Conversations will be 10 to 11 a.m. March 20 at La Salle County Extension, 1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

Learn effective communication techniques for discussing conservation practices between farmers and landowners, fostering collaboration and shared stewardship.

Garden Day

LINCOLN, Ill. — Russel Allen Garden Day will be 9 a.m. to noon March 21 at Oasis Senior Center, 2810 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln.

Topics will include: Tool Time for the Home Gardener; Terrific Trees and Shrubs; Using Native Plants in Your Yard; Houseplant Care; and Managing Pests Without (Or Fewer) Pesticides.

Cost is $12. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2bkdyht7.

Pancake Day

SPARTA, Ill. — 4-H Pancake Day will be 7 a.m. to noon March 21 at Sparta VFW Post, 1911 N. Market St., Sparta.

Cost for the all-you-can-eat breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-10; 3 and and under eat for free. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, and an assortment of beverages. The breakfast will be made and served by local 4-H members. Carry-out plates are also available.

Proceeds support Randolph County 4-H. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4m8uet2a.

Migratory Birds

AMBOY, Ill. — Migratory Birdwatching Hike will be 8 to 10 a.m. March 21 at Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve, 1701 Morman Road, Amboy.

This two-hour walk offers a chance to observe a variety of species during their spring migration through Illinois at Amboy Marsh, an Illinois Audubon Society property. This hike is appropriate for birders of all ages and experience levels. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.

Wild Neighbors

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Wild Neighbors: Coyotes will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 21 at Boone County Conservation District, Roger Gustafson Nature Center, 603 N. Appleton Road, Belvidere.

Learn what to expect from coyotes in neighborhoods in this program presented by Peggy Anesi., Extension natural resources, environment, and energy educator.

Woodland Fire Workshop

DUBOIS, Ind. — Learn-N-Burn: Woodland RX Fire Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET March 21 at Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road, Dubois.

The workshop will cover the benefits of prescribed fire for forest regeneration and wildlife; safety considerations when using prescribed fire; prescribed fire equipment; and technical and cost-share opportunities for private landowners. There also will be a woodland prescribed fire demonstration.

Cost is $25 and lunch is provided. Register at https://tinyurl.com/977d7s7c.

Parasite Management

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Internal Parasite Management Program will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET March 21 at Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, Beef/Dairy Arena, 17746-D County Rd 34, Goshen.

Struggling with parasite control in your flock or herd? Learn strategies to effectively manage internal parasites and reduce the risk of dewormer resistance on your farm.

Following the presentation, participants will take part in a hands-on session learning to use FAMACHA cards — a practical tool to determine whether animals need treatment or are healthy.

Cost is $30 and includes a FAMACHA card. To register, call Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or email jennin30@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yd5hwb3n.

Winter Tree ID

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Winter Tree ID will be 1 to 3 p.m. CT March 22 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Discover how to identify trees during the winter months by observing buds, bark, and overall structure. Presented by Becca Koetz, Extension urban agriculture educator, and Dolly Foster, Extension horticulture program assistant.

Small Business

ELMWOOD, Ill. — Small Business Growth Series will be 6 to 8 p.m. March 23-April 20 at Nighthawk Coffee, 120 W. Main St., Elmwood.

Business owners and those looking to start a new business are invited to this free series that will teach participants more about marketing and public relations to drive sales, budgeting, business planning, growing pains, and advertising tools.

Class dates are:

Monday, March 23 — Marketing/Public Relations

Tuesday, March 31 — Budgeting

Monday, April 6 — Business Planning

Monday, April 13 — Business Growth

Monday, April 20 — Advertising Tools

The series will be taught by Richard Proffer, a community and economic development educator for University of Illinois Extension. He has over 20 years of experience working with small business owners by helping them open, stay in business, and when the time comes, to close.

Barn Quilt Workshop

SALEM, Ind. — The 4-H Barn Quilt Creation Workshop will be 2 to 4 p.m. ET March 24, March 25 and March 26 at Washington County Extension, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem.

4-H members in grades 3 through 12 will learn geometry through quilt block patterns, explore color theory, and create their own barn quilt to take home. Finished barn quilts can also be displayed as a project at the fair.

Herbal Products

PEKIN, Ill. — Garden-Grown Glow: Intro to Herbal Bath & Body Products will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 24 at Tazewell County Extension, 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin.

Discover how flowers and herbs from your own garden can be transformed into fragrant, plant-based products for everyday use. This presentation by Janine Donahue, Extension master gardener and master naturalist, provides a beginner-friendly overview of using plants to create hydrosols, lotions, creams, soaps, and more. Participants will learn basic techniques, gain inspiration for home projects, and have the opportunity to see and sample a variety of finished recipes during the program.

Fueling Growth

COVINGTON, Ind. — Fueling Growth: Nutrition & Safety Essentials for Early Learners will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET March 24 at The Local, 1120 Liberty St., Covington.

The program is designed for childcare providers to learn simple, practical tips for preparing nutritious and delicious meals for kids. Discover easy ways to boost variety and health in every bite, helping little ones grow strong and healthy.

Mediterranean Diet

MENDOTA, Ill. — The Foods and Flavors of the Mediterranean Diet will be 11 to 11:45 a.m. March 25 at Mendota Area Senior Services, 1901 Tom Merwin Drive, Mendota.

Susan Glassman, Illinois Extension food and nutrition educator, will explore the Mediterranean diet and its impact on overall health and disease prevention. Learn how to incorporate Mediterranean-style foods into daily meals, discover heart health oils, and try a Mediterranean snack in class.

Participants will take home resources, recipes and tips to use at home for a healthier lifestyle.

Seed Starting

MILAN, Ill. — Seed Starting for Spring Success will be 1 to 3 p.m. March 26 at Rock Island County Extension, 321 2nd Ave W, Milan.

Learn the essential steps of successfully starting seeds at home, gain a better understanding of how to select the right containers and soil, time your sowing based on species, understand light management, and troubleshoot common challenges.

The cost is $15 and includes all supplies. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ysxkycpt.