Calendar: Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The online program Tips and Tricks for Successful Home Composting will be 7 to 8 p.m. July 7.

Ready to turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold? Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small apartment, you’ll learn about different methods to select the optimal system for you. Topics will include troubleshooting common issues and finding ways to move beyond “batch” composting to a more sustainable, continuous process for success.

This presentation will be hosted by Jeannette Legge and Joy Gajda, both of whom manage the Lake County Extension compost demonstration site.

B in Nature

LEXINGTON, Ill. — B in Nature: Bugs, Beavers, Butterflies and Beyond will be 9 a.m. to noon June 27 at ParkLands Foundation’s Lexington Preserve, 6 Timber Ridge Drive, Lexington.

Learn about everything from beavers to butterflies, dragonflies to damselflies, rattlesnakes to reptiles, and beyond. Several activity tables will be set up along the trail, where participants will learn about: Safety in Nature, Using the iNaturalist App, Dragonfly and Damselfly Identification, Native Plants, Praying Mantises, Tree Identification, and Beavers

The entire activity trail is approximately 1 mile. There is a point to turn around about halfway through.

As a part of ParkLands’ Nature Quest Challenge, participants 13 and older will take photos of wildlife and submit those photos to the iNaturalist app. The person who submits the most observations of different insect species will win a prize basket donated by the University of Illinois Extension Illinois Grand Prairie Master Naturalists.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3epyfm8y.

Bicycle Safety Day

PECATONICA, Ill. — Youth Bicycle Safety Day will be 10 a.m. to noon June 27 at Winnebago County Fairgrounds, Building 4, 500 W. 1st St., Pecatonica.

Participants ages 5 to 18 will rotate through bicycle stations, including a bicycle pre-check, helmet check, riding in traffic, rules of the road, crossing intersections, and hand signals. All participants will then ride as a group around the fairgrounds and conclude with lunch, courtesy of the Pecatonica Lions Club.

This event is co-sponsored by The Bicycle Hub, Pecatonica Lions Club, Illinois Extension, and Winnebago County 4-H. Two participants will go home with brand-new bikes from The Bicycle Hub in downtown Pecatonica and a goodie bag.

The 4-H bike show will take place after lunch. Participants not in 4-H are welcome to watch the bike show. There is no fee to participate.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/e6wk3u3m.

Reptiles and Amphibians

ROUND LAKE PARK, Ill. — Reptiles and Amphibians will be 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 29 at Avon Township Center, 433 E. Washington St., Round Lake Park.

Participants will explore predator-prey relationships, animal adaptations, ecology, and learn all about snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and salamanders.

There will be hands-on activities and opportunities to touch real specimens and live animals in an exciting and safe environment.

Buy Local

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Buy Local will be 5 to 6 p.m. June 29 at Hillsboro Area Public Library, 420 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

Buy Local is often linked to locally grown foods, but the idea goes much further. It is about understanding how our buying choices affect the economic health of our community.

Join Illinois Extension to learn more about the importance of shopping local. When you choose local businesses, you help keep storefronts open and money circulating close to home. Even small purchases support local jobs, strengthen the tax base, and fund community services. Shopping local also helps sustain the charities, schools, and youth programs supported by those businesses.

Securing the Future

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The online program Securing the Future: Operating and Buy-Sell Agreements will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. ET June 29.

Join the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team for a free, live, virtual program series built to support farm families as they prepare for legal aspects of transition planning and create a smoother, more successful transition for the next generation. Register at https://tinyurl.com/57se7jza.

Securing the Future: Personal Estate Planning will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 13. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycy2z9bn

For more information, contact Kyle Weaver at 812-427-3152, keweaver@purdue.edu.

Dial Testing

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Pressure Canner Dial Testing Clinic will be 10 a.m. to noon July 1 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Before using your pressure canner, have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Testing will ensure your pressure canner reaches the appropriate pressure needed to process low-acid foods, such as vegetables and meats, safely.

Over time, a pressure canner’s dial gauge can become inaccurate, resulting in readings that are either too high or too low. If the pressure gauge reads too high, it will lead to under-processing, resulting in unsafe foods. This is because the high temperature needed to destroy harmful microorganisms, such as the botulism toxin, can only be reached under pressure. If the dial gauge reads too low, your product will lose quality due to over-processing, and foods may become mushy.

Bring in your pressure canner lid with the gauge attached. Staff will inspect the lid, gasket, and gauge for accuracy and provide you with an assessment.

Help Desk

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Master Gardener Help Desk will be open 9 to 11 a.m. July 2 at Christian County Extension, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Christian County master gardeners are available to answer gardening questions. Bring your questions, photos, and any samples you have. Samples should be enclosed in a plastic bag or container and should be fresh to obtain a good diagnosis.

If questions arise at a time when the help desk is not open, call Christian County Extension, 217-287-7246, and leave a message for the master gardeners. They will return your call as soon as possible.

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

Pollinator Habitats

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — Creating Habitats for Pollinators will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 6 at Wock Lake, 205 June St., Jerseyville.

Learn how to create and care for a pollinator-friendly garden. Explore various garden layouts and features that enhance the habitat for pollinators.

Each participant will leave with a list of pollinator plants and some sample designs.

Therapeutic Gardening

LITCHFIELD, Ill. — Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening will be 11 a.m. to noon July 7 at St. Francis Way Clinic, 805 St. Francis Way, Litchfield.

Gardening can support mental and physical well‑being by encouraging gentle movement, purposeful activity, and connection to nature. Join this session to learn practical, research-informed ways to use gardening as part of a healthier self-care routine — no “green thumb” required. Participants leave with simple, accessible strategies they can apply immediately to reduce stress, improve mood, and build restorative habits.

Other classes being offered in Gardening for Well-Being Series include Mindfulness and Meditation in the Garden July 14, Sensory Garden July 21, Nature Journaling July 28.

From Pot to Plate

HILLSBORO, Ill. — From Pot to Plate: Growing and Cooking with Herbs will be 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 8 at Hillsboro Area Public Library, 420 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

Participants will learn how to cook with popular herbs to create delicious recipes. Participants will plant their own herbs, discover the best soils for growth, and learn essential care techniques. Plus, explore the safest ways to store and preserve culinary herbs.

Osteoporosis 101

FREEPORT, Ill. — Osteoporosis 101 will be 1 to 3 p.m. July 8 at Stephenson County Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson St., Freeport.

During this class, participants will learn about factors that increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis, and how lifestyle choices can help manage or delay the onset of the disease. The program will also include practical strategies you can implement at home, along with tasty recipes to help boost your calcium and vitamin D intake.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/29rwks6f.

Lunch n Learn

OTTAWA, Ill. — Illinois Extension Lunch n Learn Series will be noon to 1 p.m. July 8 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa.

Lunch n Learn is a fun monthly program for adults that combines a mini-healthy eating class with a make-and-taste lunch experience. In July, participants will explore quick tips for creating healthy lunches and snacks while making and tasting Chicken Shawarma. Participants will also take home recipes and a helpful tip sheet filled with ideas for quick, healthy lunches.

Food Forest Workdays

NORMAL, Ill. — Community Food Forest Tour and Workdays will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 8 and July 22 at the Refuge Food Forest, 701 E. Lincoln St., Normal.

Learn about the 11-year-old productive, edible landscape at the Refuge Food Forest. While there, help Illinois Extension staff give the site the facelift it needs to remain a productive fruit and nut-bearing oasis for the community into the next 11 years.

Participants will be invited to look for fruit that may be in season for picking, as a rewarding treat after an hour’s work. Nick Frillman, local food systems and small farms educator with Illinois Extension, will guide participants to any fruit or nuts on site that is ripe at that time.

Fall Prevention

ANGOLA, Ind. — Concerned about falling? The Fall Prevention program will be 1 to 3 p.m. ET July 9 at Terrace Ridge Apartments, 300 N. Terrace Blvd., Angola.

This program will be held on Thursday afternoons during the month of July to help older adults prevent falls and increase activity levels.

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

Talk About Stress

EUREKA, Ill. — Let’s Talk About Stress will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 10 at Heartline, 300 Reagan Drive, Eureka.

Stress happens —we all deal with it. Sometimes it pushes us to get things done, but too much of it can wear us down. In this session, we’ll talk about what stress really is, how it shows up in our lives, and what we can do about it.

Participants will walk away with practical tools for managing stress, including tips on self-care, setting boundaries, managing their time, and staying accountable to their well-being. It’s all about finding what works for you and making life feel a little more manageable.

Early Learning

FRANKFORT, Ind. — Caring with Intention for Infants and Toddlers will be 9 a.m. to noon July 11 at Clinton County Extension, 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort.

This training explores best practices for caring for infants and toddlers, focusing on developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth to age 3. Participants will learn about key developmental milestones, engaging activities that support early learning, responsive caregiving strategies, and ways to build strong partnerships with families to support children’s growth and well-being.

Christmas in July

ANGOLA, Ind. — Reusable Christmas Wrapping Bags Workshop will be 5 to 7 p.m. ET July 15 at Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne St., Angola.

Get creative at this fun, festive and eco-friendly workshop.

Cost is $20. Materials will be provided. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3srzu4wx.

Urban Ag Visit

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Lake County 4-H Urban Agriculture will visit Hidden Acres Family Farm, 14505 Reeder Road, Crown Point, 1 to 3 p.m. CT July 18.

Visit a family-run farm and learn about farm entrepreneurship in action, including egg and honey production. Open to all 4-H members in grades 3-12 .