Calendar: Native oak trees planted in 4-H Green Communities Program

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. — The Illinois 4-H Green Communities Tree Program, in partnership with Lake County 4-H, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Round Lake Park District, will plant native oak species in Hero Park, 2041 N. Orchard Lane, Round Lake Beach, from 1 to 3 p.m. April 25.

For more information, contact Ofelia Delgado, 4-H program coordinator, at delgado@illinois.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y4a7jv26.

Illinois 4-H is partnering with Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts to plant oak trees across dozens of counties in Illinois this spring.

In Woodford County, 4-H members will be planting trees from 8 to 10 a.m. April 25 at Parklands Chinquapin Bluffs, 2226 County Rd 375 N Rd, Carlock. Contact Blaine Troyer at btroy2@illinois.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/53chyxte.

Fish Farming Workshop

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fish Health Training for Indiana Fish Farmers will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 25 at John S. Wright Forestry Center, 1007 N 725 W, West Lafayette.

Workshop topics will include:

• Fish necropsy

• Fish health assessment

• Basic microscope work

• Water quality

• Connecting with broader fish health infrastructure

• Collecting and sending disease fish for laboratory diagnosis

• Capturing images for disease identification

For more information about this free event, visit https://tinyurl.com/2txbt5uw.

Get Growing

BEMENT, Ill. — Get Growing Bement with Piatt County Master Gardeners will be 10 a.m. to noon April 25 at Bement Lion’s Club Community Center, 117 S. Macon St., Bement.

Learn gardening tips, plant some seeds to take home, and mingle with gardeners. Also, learn about gardening workshops coming to Bement.

Benefit Brunch

BRAZIL, Ind. — The Clay County Extension Purdue Day of Giving Benefit Brunch will be 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET April 26 at the Clay County 4-H Fairgrounds, 6650 IN-59, Brazil.

Enjoy a morning of community and great breakfast food to kick off the Purdue Day of Giving Campaign.

Cost is $5. For more information, call 812-448-9041 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3rpn7v9s.

Livestock Judging

URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at the Stock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana.

Judging will take place for beef, sheep, swine, and meat goats. Scantron scoring will replace traditional judging cards this year.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/5dj47wze.

Community Garden

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The Monticello Area Community Garden Kick-Off Meeting will be 6 to 7 p.m. April 27 at Piatt County Extension, 210 S. Market St., Monticello.

Learn about the garden, guidelines and vegetable gardening tips. Also, register for a garden plot.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvds58w2.

Pumpkins, Squash

JOLIET, Ill. — Pumpkins and Winter Squash will be the topic of the Grow Your Own Groceries webinar, 6 to 7 p.m. Aprl 27.

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

Melons and Gourds will be the topic of the May 4 webinar.

Each one-hour session will cover a group of vegetables with similar growing needs and times, and include information on seed/variety selection, safe handling, harvest, storage and preservation. Participants will receive three to four seed packages, educational handouts, and some recipes, which can be picked up at your local Extension office.

Perennial Gardening

SCHERERVILLE, Ind. — Perennial Gardening for Beginners will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. CT April 28 at Dyer Schererville Library, 1001 W. Lincoln Hwy., Schererville.

Join Dolly Foster, Purdue Extension horticulture program assistant, for this educational program.

Vegetable Gardening

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Vegetable Gardening From the Soil Up will be 7 to 8 p.m. April 28 at Champaign County Extension Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

A highly productive vegetable garden requires careful consideration of its location, soil building and preparation, informed selection of seeds and plants, appropriate timing of planting, and consistent and timely care during the growing season. Vegetable gardening expert Chuck Voigt will discuss these issues and answer questions about growing vegetables in central Illinois.

Mindfulness Hike

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Mindfulness Hike will be 9 a.m. to noon April 29 at Carl Spindler Marina, 3703 N. Main St., East Peoria.

A mindfulness hike is a walk in nature, focusing on gentle awareness of the present moment rather than the distance or speed of the hike. The hike will be led by Paul Resnick, master naturalist.

4-H Barbecue

MACOMB, Ill. — McDonough County 4-H Barbecue will be 5 to 7 p.m. May 1 at McDonough County 4-H Building, 3022 W. Jackson St., Macomb.

Guests can dine in or drive through, and each meal includes a pork chop sandwich, baked beans, applesauce, dessert, and a drink. Suggested donation is $7. Proceeds help fund scholarships and address important program needs throughout the year.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ynd7x4d6.

Rabbit Tattoo Clinic

ROCKVILLE, Ind. — Rabbit Tattoo Clinic will be 8 to 11 a.m. May 2 in the Rabbit Barn at the Parke County Fairgrounds, 1472 N. U.S. 41, Rockville.

If your rabbit needs a tattoo to show at the 4-H fair and you are unable to do it yourself, please bring your rabbit to this clinic.

For more information, contact Tanner Edge, 4-H youth educator, at 765-569-3176 or tdedge@purdue.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/vk3hvdsz.

Plant Sale

SIMPSON, Ill. — Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson.

Plants will include a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Extension staff and master gardener volunteers will be available to answer questions and hand out information.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3cf4f9es.

Horse Fun Day

ALBION, Ill. — Horse Fun Day will be 9 a.m. to noon May 2 at Edwards County Fairgrounds Horse Arena, 90 W. Pine St., Albion.

Saddle up for a morning of riding horses with friends. Participants can expect to learn more about their horse, the 4-H horse project, and to have fun playing games. Participants will be required to wear helmets while riding their horses. Youth ages 6-18 who are able to ride are welcome to join. Non-4-H members are welcome to attend but will be required to complete appropriate risk forms prior to participating.

Cattle Judging

CARTHAGE, Ill. — 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest will be 10 a.m. to noon May 2 at Udder Hill Dairy, 1035 N Cty Rd 1900, Carthage.

The Quincy Middle FFA Chapter and 4-H in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties will host the Section 11 FFA and 4 H-Dairy Cattle Judging Career Development Event. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Udder Hill Dairy Farm in Carthage. The contest will start at 10 a.m.

Each 4-H Club may enter an unlimited number of members. Team scores will be determined from the three highest-scoring individuals.

For questions, or to register as a 4-H participant, contact Kristin Huls at khuls@illinois.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/4as9dtna.

Compost Giveaway

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — Compost Giveaway will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at Nunda Township, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake; and Kishwaukee Brewery, 1900 Dillard Ct., Woodstock.

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week by adding compost to your vegetable garden, flower beds, or landscaping.

The Ask the Master Gardener booth will offer gardening resources; the Nunda Township site will host tours of its garden and community compost site; and Kishwaukee Brewery will promote the Defenders’ Community Compost Drop-off Program.

Shovels will be provided for compost. Bring your own buckets — limit 20 gallons per household.

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

Forest Tour

MACOMB, Ill. — Owsley Wildlands Forest Tour will be 2 to 4 p.m. May 3 at 3022 W. Jackson St., Macomb.

Cindy and Craig Owsley have spent years removing invasive species across their 38‑acre habitat project. During this tour, Cindy will share her journey to “help forests dance again,” highlighting a 20‑year‑old Conservation Reserve tree planting that is now developing a healthy native understory. Participants will see a maturing woodland where native honeysuckle vine, ramps, deer tongue grass, and spring ephemerals are returning on their own.

This half‑mile hike will explore a variety of woodland management techniques and invite participants to consider what nature suggests as the next steps forward.

After the tour, participants are welcome to bring a beverage and enjoy s’mores around the campfire with fellow land stewards.

Ticks in Illinois

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Ticks in Illinois will be 11 a.m. to noon May 4 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

During this session, participants will learn about Extension Livestock Specialist Teresa Steckler’s ongoing research on ticks and discover how you can contribute to an important citizen science project by volunteering to gather data. Citizen participation helps build a clearer picture of tick activity across the region. There will be plenty of time for questions afterwards.

Registration for this program is $5, and all participants will receive a U of I Extension tick kit and other program materials to take home after the presentation. Register at https://tinyurl.com/vp3rzy9h.

Healthy Woodlands

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Purdue Extension in Wabash and Whitley counties is offering a three-session course in May entitled Stewarding Healthy Woodlands, Controlling Invasive Species. The series is designed for woodland owners and commercial applicators; all are welcome. The series is an offering of Purdue Extension’s signature program on invasive species.

Class sessions will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. ET May 4, May 11 and May 18.

On May 4, the first class session will be at the Whitley County Ag Museum, on the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds, 680 W. Squawbuck Road, Columbia City. Look for the building with the old-fashioned windmill out front. This session will cover an introduction to invasive species as well as reporting, recording, and tracking invasive species.

The second session on May 11 will be at the Beacon Credit Union Heritage Hall on the Huntington County Fairgrounds, 631 E. Taylor St., Huntington. Harmful forest insects and pathogens will be covered.

The May 18 session will be at the Salamonie Lake Nature/Interpretive Center, 3691 New Holland Road, Andrews. The final class will cover the identification and management of invasive forest plants, as well as taking a look at emerging invasive forest plant species.

The $45 fee will cover handouts, extra resources, and light refreshments. Commercial applicator CCHs may be available.

For questions, contact Geoff Schortgen at gschortg@purdue.edu or 260-563-0661, ext. 1408; or John Woodmansee at jwoodman@purdue.edu or 260-244-7615. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3kjvn6av.

Native Landscaping

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Native Alternative for Landscaping Grasses and Sedges will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 4 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Sustainable landscaping starts with the plants we choose. This program is designed for landscape professionals and property owners who want to incorporate more environmentally friendly practices into their work and home spaces.

This session highlights the benefits of using native grasses and sedges — plants that support local ecosystems, require fewer resources, and thrive naturally in our region.

Call the library to register: 815-544-3838. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2m3wf4t4.

Ruminant Roundup

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Health and Management Roundup for Small Ruminants will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 4 at McHenry County Extension, 1102 McConnell Road, Woodstock.

Extension Livestock Specialist Teresa Steckler will discuss current and emerging health and management issues affecting sheep, goats, and other small ruminants. This program is geared toward adults and older youth, and 4-H members are welcome to attend. Participants will gain practical, research-based insights to support informed decision-making and strong management practices.

Fish Hatchery Tour

TOPEKA, Ill. — Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery Tour will be 10 a.m. to noon May 5 at Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery, 25410 Fish Hatchery Road, Topeka.

Kayleigh Smith will lead a hatchery tour, explaining their vital work and process, with a close-up look at a variety of fish species that they hatch. Light lunch will be provided. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ccmn7j38.

Companion Planting

SCHERERVILLE, Ind. — Companion Planting - Vegetables will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. CT May 5 at Dyer Schererville Library, 1001 W. Lincoln Hwy., Schererville.

Join Dolly Foster, Purdue Extension horticulture program assistant, for this educational program.

Log Quality

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — Tree and Log Quality, Scaling and Measurement will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 6 at Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 County Rd 350 N, Butlerville.

Participants will:

• Observe standing trees and discuss tree grades.

• Practice tree scaling and grading on selected trees.

• Fell a tree and discuss bucking decisions to maximize the value of each log.

• Discuss and practice log grading.

Compost Giveback

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Compost Giveback and Ask a Master Gardener Booth will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week and learn about the many benefits of this naturally produced soil amendment. University of Illinois Extension Lake County, Extension master gardeners, and Solid Waste Agency of Lake County will be giving away rich, locally-made compost to residents. Visit the Ask a Master Gardener Booth and pick up materials on composting and gardening.

Maximum of 20 gallons of compost per household. Bring your own buckets. Shovels provided.

Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2p9ndp8h.

Dietary Guidelines

FREEPORT, Ill. — Getting the Scoop on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be 1 to 3 p.m. May 6 at Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson St., Freeport.

During this class, learn about diet-related chronic health conditions, the evolution of the dietary guidelines, nutritional needs, and dietary patterns. Also discussed will be what the whole-food approach to healthy eating entails, the importance of prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, and the need to limit ultra-processed foods.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2pazabw7.

The class will be repeated 1 to 3 p.m. May 7 at Midwest Medical Center, 1 Medical Drive, Galena. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4ajspevu.

Blooms for Mom

SALEM, Ill. — Blooms for Mom will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 6 at Marion County Extension, 404 E. Main St., Salem.

Participants ages 8 to 18 will make a special flower arrangement for Mother’s Day. Participants will learn how flowers grow, how to safely cut and prepare them, and an easy “Rule of 3” that helps to create a pretty and balanced bouquet.

Equine Field Day

WAKARUSA, ind. — Equine Field Day for standardbred/harness horse owners of all experience levels will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET May 7 at Kountry Lane Standardbreds, 64399 CR 3, Wakarusa.

Learn from industry experts and gain practical tools to support your horse’s health, performance, and overall well-being. Topics include equine asthma, injury prevention and care, forage and pasture management, and nutrition for optimal performance.

Cost is $15 and includes lunch. To register, contact Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or email jennin30@purdue.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/326xpfkf.

Plant Sale

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Allen County 4-H Annual Plant Sale and Chicken Dinner Fundraiser will be May 7 in the Lions Cattle Barn at the Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne.

Flowers will be available for pickup 5 to 8 p.m. May 7, and 9 a.m. to noon May 8. Nelson’s chicken dinners will be available for pickup 5 to 8 p.m. May 7.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3nv5kna5.

Cooking Up Success

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — Cooking Up Success: How to Sell Food from Your Home Kitchen will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at Jersey County Extension, 201 W. Exchange St., Jerseyville.

Jersey County Health Department and Illinois Extension will present a practical, up-to-date class on selling homemade foods at farmers markets and beyond. Participants will learn the ins and outs of the Illinois Cottage Food Law, including the latest updates and how to safely prepare and sell homemade products with confidence.

Also covered will be the basics of getting started, from simple marketing and branding ideas to key steps for launching your own small business.

The class will be repeated 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 21 at Calhoun County Extension, 728 S. Park St., Hardin.

Native Plants

STILLMAN VALLEY, Ill. — Gardening with Native Plants will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at Julia Hull District Library, 100 Library Lane, Stillman Valley.

Native plants aren’t just beautiful, they play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems by providing food and shelter for native wildlife.

Join Ogle County Master Gardener Phil Bratta for a free, informative session covering the essentials of gardening with native plants. Whether you’re new to native gardening or looking to deepen your knowledge, this program offers practical insights you can use right away.

Homegrown Harvest

DECATUR, Ill. — Homegrown Harvest: Planting Warm Season Crops will be 10 to 11 a.m. May 8 at Southside Hill Community Garden, 826 E. Lawrence St., Decatur.

Homegrown Harvest is a series of free, family-friendly vegetable garden workshops designed to support beginning gardeners through the growing season. Workshop materials will be provided; bring your own gloves and tools. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, sessions may be canceled for safety during inclement weather.

Fire and Flavor

WELDON, Ill. — Fire and Flavor will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 8 at Weldon Public Library, 505 Maple St., Weldon.

Whether out camping or at home, cooking outside on a grill is a great time to be outdoors with friends and family to explore delicious food. Learn about grilling techniques for both meat and produce, best practices to be food-safe, and ways to build flavors with spice rubs. Participants will assemble a jar of rub to take home.

Calendar: Native oak trees planted in 4-H Green Communities Program

Fish Farming Workshop

Get Growing

Benefit Brunch

Livestock Judging

Community Garden

Pumpkins, Squash

Perennial Gardening

Vegetable Gardening

Mindfulness Hike

4-H Barbecue

Rabbit Tattoo Clinic

Plant Sale

Horse Fun Day

Cattle Judging

Compost Giveaway

Forest Tour

Ticks in Illinois

Healthy Woodlands

Native Landscaping

Ruminant Roundup

Fish Hatchery Tour

Companion Planting

Log Quality

Compost Giveback

Dietary Guidelines

Blooms for Mom

Equine Field Day

Plant Sale

Cooking Up Success

Native Plants

Homegrown Harvest

Fire and Flavor

AgriNews Staff