Calendar: Pressure canning green beans

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Preserving Practice: Pressure Canning Green Beans will be 9 a.m. to noon June 13 at Winnebago County Extension, 1040 N. Second St., Rockford.

Green beans are a summer favorite for many home gardeners. With their ease of cultivation, high yields, and versatility, they are among the most commonly grown vegetables in home gardens. If you anticipate a bumper crop this season, consider preserving them to enjoy throughout the coming year.

This hands-on workshop will begin in the classroom and then move to the kitchen. During the first half of the class, participants will learn canning basics, the importance of using a pressure canner, and why low-acid foods require special processing. During the second half, participants will head to the kitchen to process green beans. Not only will participants learn valuable food preservation skills, but they will also take home a jar of green beans they preserved themselves.

Cost is $25. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ydkh8rz8.

Beef Clinic

BREESE, Ill. — 4-H Beef Clinic will be 9 to 10:30 a.m. June 8 at Tebbe Farm, 20719 Jamestown Road, Breese.

Participants will learn the basic needs of beef cattle and practice showmanship skills to help them prepare for the 4-H show ring.

Carroll Cruise

MONTICELLO, Ind. — The Madam Carroll Boat Cruise will be 5:30 to 9 p.m. ET June 8, 12244 N. Upper Lakeshore Drive, Monticello.

Hosted by the Carroll County 4-H junior leaders, 4-H members from across the state are invited for an evening on the waters of Lake Freeman.

Snacks available for purchase on board.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/23vmbdcd.

Moth Gardening

JOLIET, Ill. — The online program Moth Gardening: Amazing Pollinators of the Night will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 9.

Butterflies are one of the most popular garden themes, but what about their nighttime counterparts? Moths, the stunning, majestic insects of the evening, are important pollinators. Join Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Nancy Kuhajda for a lively discussion of moth identification, life cycle, and strategies to use to attract moths to a landscape.

Health Resources

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Exploring Online Health Resources will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET June 9 at Allen County Extension, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

During this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to use medlineplus.gov, an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.

Wellness Grows

MARION, Ill. — Where Wellness Grows will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 9 at Cultivating Care Garden at First Presbyterian Church, 1200 S. Carbon St., Marion.

Where Wellness Grows is an engaging program designed to help participants become rooted in wellness through gardening and time spent in nature. Where Wellness Grows encourages connection with nature, movement, and community to support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Protect Your Farm

URBANA, Ill. — The program Five Steps to Protect Your Farm, Legally Speaking will be 6 to 7 p.m. June 9.

Learn a few key steps that provide a big impact when it comes to the farm or ranch’s protection from legal risks.

Register for this free Legal Training for Illinois Small Farms Webinar Series program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3c58bdcc.

Basic Lawn Care

STILLMAN VALLEY, Ill. — Basic Lawn Care will be 6 to 7 p.m. June 9 at Julia Hull District Library, 100 Library Lane, Stillman Valley.

The grass is always greener — with the proper lawn care.

Certified Ogle County Master Gardener Phil Bratta will discuss the essentials of basic lawn care, including fertilizer fundamentals, grass seed selection, and weed prevention.

Container Gardening

METROPOLIS, Ill. — Container Gardening Workshop will be 10 to 11 a.m. June 10 at Plant a Row, Watch COPE Grow Food Donation Garden, 709 E. 5th St., Metropolis.

Container gardens are a great option for beginner gardeners, those without a big space to garden, and those with challenging soil conditions. This workshop will include a tour of the garden, which uses raised beds of various materials.

Participants will have the opportunity to create container gardens planted with vegetables, fruits, or native flowers to take home after the workshop.

Tomato Troubles

LA SALLE, Ill. — Tomato Troubles will be 5 to 6 p.m. June 10 at La Salle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., La Salle.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular and commonly grown plants in home gardens. Learn about common problems that plague tomatoes as well as ways to address them.

This program will also be offered as a live stream via Zoom.

Grilling and Salads

STREATOR, Ill. — Grilling and Summertime Salads will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 10 at Streator Public Library, 130 S. Park St., Streator.

Learn research-based tips to make your outdoor grilling a success this summer. Topics will include grilling benefits, marinades, and grilling safely. Participants will also explore seasonal ingredients that add flavor, texture, and nutrition to summer salads.

During the program, participants will make and taste a fresh homemade salad dressing and take home recipes and practical tips for easy, healthy summer meals.

Farm in the Park

ALEDO, Ill. — Celebrate agriculture with the whole family at Farm in the Park, 3:30 to 6 p.m. June 12 at Central Park, 200 block of South College Avenue, Aledo.

Activities include hands-on agriculture education stations, gardening tips and resources from Illinois Extension master gardeners, farm equipment showcase, and a petting zoo.

Cool off with ice cream, and support the Mercer County 4-H Teen Federation through a free-will donation.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n7k9uwz.

Bat Walk

OTTAWA, Ill. — Bat Acoustic Walk will be 8:30 to 10 p.m. June 13 at Dayton Bluffs Preserve, 2997 IL-71, Ottawa.

Learn about about the 13 species of bats that call Illinois home, why their populations are in decline, and what you can do to help. Then listen in on a short hike with specialized acoustic equipment as bats forage and navigate the night sky.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a flashlight or headlamp.

Hall of Fame Dinner

SALEM, Ind. — The 2026 Agriculture Hall of Fame program, dinner, and award presentation will begin at 5 p.m. ET June 15 at the Washington County Fairgrounds livestock show arena, 118 N. Fair St., Salem, Ind.

RSVP by calling Washington County Extension at at 812-883-4601.

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

Pollinator Power

HILLSBORO, Ill. — Pollinator Power: Flowers, Bees, and Habitat will be 11 a.m. to noon June 16 at Hillsboro Area Public Library, 420 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

Explore pollinators through hands-on activities that teach how flowers, bees, and habitats work together. Children will gain a better understanding of ecosystems while building curiosity, confidence, and environmental awareness.

Consumer Meats

CROWN POINT, Ind. — The Lake County 4-H Consumer Meats Knife Selection Workshop will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CT June 16 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Learn how to select knives for cutting and preparing meats. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/4xe3m3yn.

For questions, call Heather Downs at 708-670-6663 or email spumoni821@yahoo.com.

Field Day

PANA, Ill. — Dudley Smith Farm Field Day will be 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 17 at Dudley Smith Farm Research Center, 2200 E 600 North Road, Pana.

The research plot tour is an opportunity to see the technology and methods used in collecting research data up close. Topics discussed will include tile drainage, water quality, use of bioreactors, and field-scale conservation management and implications for water quality.

The event is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be provided.

Tea Time

NORMAL, Ill. — From Garden to Teacup: Herbal Tea Workshop will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 17 at Illinois State University Horticulture Center Herb Garden, 1001 W. Raab Road, Normal.

During the workshop, participants will sample a variety of herbal teas and blends; learn how different herbs contribute flavor and aroma; and plant and assemble a mini container tea garden with herbs.

Participants will take home a mini container tea garden, three custom herbal tea blends, and educational resources on growing herbs and making tea at home.

Cost is $25. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdct5hj3.

Pork Dinner

YORKVILLE, Ill. — The Drive-Thru Pork Dinner Fundraiser to benefit Friends of Extension and Kendall County 4-H Foundation will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 18 at Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 IL Route 71, Yorkville.

Each meal includes applesauce, coleslaw, baked beans, dinner roll, and cookie. Ticket options include two-chop dinner for $16, one-chop dinner for $14, two-porkburger dinner for $10, and one-porkburger dinner for $8.

Purchase tickets in advance at Kendall County Extension, 7775-B IL Route 47, Yorkville, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 630-553-5823. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for an extra $1 charge per ticket.

All proceeds will help support county programs provided by Illinois Extension, including 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yetmkt9k.