Calendar: Plan a variety of specialty gardens

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Specialty Gardens: A Growing Community Program will be noon to 1 p.m. April 21 at Piatt County Extension, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Learn how to plan a variety of specialty gardens, including salsa, pizza, herb, and tea gardens. Participants will start a variety of culinary herbs by seeds to take home and grow.

Wood Processing

SIMPSON, Ill. — Do-It-Yourself Wood Processing Options for Landowners will be 2 to 4 p.m. April 18 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson.

Stop letting good logs go to waste. Join the Illinois Forestry Association and Illinois Extension Forestry for a hands-on demonstration of small-scale options for turning logs into usable lumber.

Learn the pros and cons of milling at various price points, such as:

• Chainsaw mills: Portable, affordable, and perfect for remote logs.

• Hobby sawmills: Stepping up your production and precision.

Beyond the blades, learn about the aftercare that makes or breaks your wood — lumber drying and storage best practices.

Rabbit Workshop

LOWELL, Ind. — Lake County 4-H Rabbit Meet & Greet and Workshop will be 2 to 4 p.m. CT April 19 at Buckley Homestead, 3606 Belshaw Road, Lowell.

Participants will learn about rabbit care and how to enter rabbits for the fair.

For questions, contact Amanda Woodworth at 219-789-9519. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y3f4wjuh.

Transition Strategy

URBANA, Ill. — Worker Co‑ops as a Transition Strategy will be the topic of the online Rural Business Transitions Webinar Series, noon to 1 p.m. April 21.

Rural communities across the country are facing a growing succession crisis as long‑time business owners retire without clear buyers in place. This webinar explores how transitioning to a worker cooperative provides sellers with a built-in buyer for the business, preserves stable jobs, and supports the community’s long-term economic vitality.

Participants will learn the basics of the worker cooperative structure, how employee buyouts are feasible, and why this strategy is powerful for sustaining rural economies.

Presenter will be Stacy Mullinex, senior project manager for the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership, at the University of Northern Iowa.

Reducing Food Waste

BRIGHTON, Ill. — From Peel to Plate: Reducing Food Waste One Bite at a Time will be 2 to 3 p.m. April 21 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

This class looks at simple ways to cut food waste, store foods safely, and understand what expiration dates really mean. Learn how to use ingredients from root to stalk and stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. Participants will roll up their sleeves in the kitchen and try recipes that put every part of the plant to work, including broccoli tots and air-fried buffalo broccoli stems. It’s a practical, hands-on session that helps you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy good food.

Climate Strategies

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Ready and Resilient: Practical Climate Strategies for Illinois Municipalities will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 21 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Illinois communities are seeing the effects of a changing climate — heavier rains, more frequent flooding, hotter summers, shifting seasons, and added strain on local infrastructure. To help local governments prepare, University of Illinois Extension in Lake County is hosting an interactive workshop designed for municipal leaders who want practical tools to strengthen community resilience now and in the years ahead.

Well-Rounded Herbs

DIXON, Ill. — Well-Rounded: Horticulture Through Herbs will be 5:30 to 6 p.m. April 21 at Sauk Valley Community College Greenhouse, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Learn about herbs and how growing and gardening support overall wellness. Learn, connect, and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by plants and community. No gardening experience needed.

Mushroom Workshop

CROPSEY, Ill. — Shiitake Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 22 at Down at the Farm Warehouse, 23877 East 00 North Rd, Cropsey.

Led by Nick Frillman, University of Illinois Extension local foods and small farms educator, this workshop is specifically geared toward small farmers looking to try their hand at shiitake mushroom production using outdoor log cultivation — a tried-and-true technique with roots going back over 1,000 years. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Shiitake mushrooms can be grown easily on logs in a backyard for family production, as well.

Participants will learn:

• What hardwood tree species make the best mushroom logs.

• Where and when to source logs and inoculation supplies.

• The step-by-step process of inoculating logs with shiitake mushroom spawn.

• Best practices of log aftercare that will lead to good mushroom harvests

Participants will practice inoculating logs on-site, and take one log as a proof-of-concept. This system requires minimal space and minimum-to-moderate labor once set up, and can yield mushrooms for several years.

Cost is $15, which covers supplies and materials for the workshop, as well as light snacks provided by Down at the Farms staff. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2vkyfkvm.

Spring into Nature

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Spring into Nature will be 4 to 7 p.m. ET April 23 at Stewart Woods at Horticulture Park, 300 McCormick Road, West Lafayette.

Discover the beauty of the season with bird walks, wildflowers and creative nature-themed art. Food will be provided, including vegetarian and vegan options.

For questions, contact Sandra Toruno Silva, storunos@purdue.edu; or Wendy Mayer, wendymayer@purdue.edu. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ezwubv8w.

Nourish Your Heart

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Nourish Your Heart will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 23 at East Moline Public Library, 745 16th Ave., East Moline.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. However, many of the risk factors contributing to heart disease are preventable through lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments. By the end of the class, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed food choices, shop effectively, and prepare delicious meals that support a healthy heart.

Kristin Bogdonas, Illinois Extension food and nutrition educator, will discuss proactive steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Register by calling Livvy Menage at the East Moline library, 309-755-9614, ext. 103. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5d4tks2e.

4-H Party

MILAN, Ill. — 4-H Parking Lot Party for children ages 5 to 8 will be 10 a.m. to noon April 25 at Rock Island Extension, 321 W. 2nd Ave., Milan.

Children will enjoy a petting zoo, learn about fire safety, check out a fire truck from the Blackhawk Fire Station, and explore stations featuring science, engineering, art, sewing, insects, and health.

A great way for children to discover 4‑H through fun, creative activities.

Spring into Art

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Spring into Art Block Party will be 1 to 3 p.m. ET April 25 at Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne.

The Johnnie Mae Farm neighborhood will be transformed into a block party filled with art, hands-on craft stations, and a free cookout.

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

Horse Show

KOUTS, Ind. — The Clover Classic Open Horse Show for grades 3 and up will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT April 26 at Navajo Saddle Club, 84 West 900 South, Kouts.

For show information, contact Abby Bisig, abigailbisig@yahoo.com. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2j6j5d77.

Field & Friends

GOSHEN, Ind. — Field & Friends, a monthly farmer briefing series, will be 10:30 a.m. to noon ET April 28 at Elkhart County Extension, Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746 County Road 34, Goshen.

Programs focus on real-world experiences from producers and practical insights that can be applied across a range of farm operations.

April 28 topics will include storm-damaged trees, pruning yard trees, and using certified arborists.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/33urzf6v.

Digital Skills

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Digital Skills Lessons: Zoom will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET April 28 at Allen County Extension, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Participants will gain a better understanding of what Zoom is and what computer accessories are needed to be able to fully participate in a Zoom meeting. In the workshop, participants will practice joining a meeting, learn how to navigate within a meeting, and how to obtain a free Zoom account.

Computers are not provided; bring a personal laptop to participate.

Lumber Grading

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Quality/Grading will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET April 29 at Purdue University Martell Forest, 1007 N 725 W, West Lafayette,

The program will include a basic overview of reasons for grading lumber, measurement of boards, and NHLA lumber grading rules. Learn how log quality affects lumber grade, and how head sawyer, resaw, edger, and trimmer operators can maximize value potential. Limited practice of grading sample boards will be offered.

Cost is $99. Register for this Hardwood University Program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/2rjjwp29.

Beneficial Insects

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Beneficial Insects will be 6 to 7 p.m. April 30 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Learn about beneficial insects, and how to encourage them to visit your garden.

Pork Chop Dinner

MILAN, Ill. — Rock Island County 4‑H Pork Chop Dinner will be 4 to 7 p.m. April 30 at Blackhawk Fire Station, 102 3rd St. W, Milan.

Choose a $10 pork chop meal or a $5 hot dog meal, each served with chips, baked beans, applesauce, and dessert. Dine inside the fire station with fellow 4‑H supporters or use the convenient drive‑through for quick to‑go orders.

Also, bid on pies made by 4‑H members and local bakeries to support the 4‑H Teen Federation.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc63xr3b.

Container Gardens

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Creative Container Gardens will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 30 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Growing annual plants in containers is an easy and impactful way to brighten a front door, add a welcoming accent to a porch or deck, or maximize color in small garden spaces.

Participants will learn tips for selecting containers and plants, along with care techniques to ensure containers stay beautiful throughout the growing season.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 815-858-2273 or visit https://tinyurl.com/y2esdmhv.

Plant Sale

HILLSBORO, Ill. — Montgomery County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1 at Mt. Moriah Lodge 51, 903 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

The sale will include 10-inch premium hanging baskets with assorted colors, and different sun and shade varieties.

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