Calendar: Cool as a Cucumber — From Garden to Table

OREGON, Ill. — Cool as a Cucumber: From Garden to Table will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 13 at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

Discover the crisp, refreshing world of cucumbers with Extension Horticulture Educator Bruce Black and Extension Program Coordinator Jan Saglier.

Participants will learn how to select the best cucumber varieties; tips and expert insights for growing them successfully; and delicious and creative ways to use cucumbers in their kitchen. There also will be taste tests of fresh, cucumber-inspired dishes.

Cost is $10. Register by calling the Rock River Center at 815-732-3252. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4fw9tkj6.

Lessons for Living

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — What’s in My Food? Decoding Chemicals and Safety will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 9 at Macoupin County Extension, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Learn the latest facts about chemicals in our food in this Lessons for Living program presented in collaboration with the Macoupin County Home and Community Education Association.

Registration is not required. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/46c67wrs.

Brain Health

ST. JOSEPH, Ill. — Fits Wits will be the first topic in the Brain Health Series, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 9 at St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. 3rd St., St. Joseph.

Engage in activities and exercises that challenge your brain and keep it active.

Green Connections

PRINCEVILLE, Ill. — Green Connections: Mycelium will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 9 at Lillie M. Evans Library, 207 N. Walnut Ave., Princeville.

Valerie Wolfe of Diverse Metamorphosis presents an engaging class exploring the underground world of mycelium and its important role in natural systems.

Green Connections is an educational and networking opportunity offered by University of Illinois Extension serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. Master gardeners, master naturalists, and conservation@home members gather together to learn how to be responsible stewards of the nature around us and connect with people and resources.

McHenry County Garden Walk

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The Garden Walk, presented by University of Illinois Extension master gardeners and McHenry County College, will be 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. July 11 at McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake.

The garden walk will begin at the outdoor Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College. The self-guided drive will feature nine gardens in Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Bull Valley. Experience colorful gardens studded with artwork, edible plots, and more. Master gardeners will be on-site at each garden to answer questions and offer educational materials.

Tickets are $15 in advance, and will be available for $20 at the Demonstration Garden on the day of the Garden Walk.

For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/6udw9uby.

DeKalb County Garden Walk

DEKALB, Ill. — The DeKalb County Garden Walk featuring seven beautiful home gardens in DeKalb, Sycamore and Kingston will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11.

Attendees visit the gardens at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Master gardeners will be on-site at each garden to answer questions and give guidance.

Wristbands are $10 and may be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/z4nwery4, or in person at DeKalb County Extension, 1350 W. Prairie Drive. Sycamore; Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St., Sycamore; Glidden Florist, 917 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb; and The Garden Market, 2270 Oakland Ave., Sycamore.

For questions contact DeKalb County Extension at 815-758-8194 or email cahandel@illinois.edu.

Native Plant ID Hike

OTTAWA, Ill. — Native Plant ID Hike will be noon to 2 p.m. July 11 at Dayton Bluffs Preserve, 2997 IL-71, Ottawa.

Take a walk through the prairie with master naturalists and learn to identify native prairie plants along the way. This guided hike at Dayton Bluffs Preserve is a great opportunity to build plant ID skills while enjoying the beauty of a restored prairie.

Pest Patrol at Dusk

MARION, Ill. — Golden Hour Gardening: Pest Patrol at Dusk will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 13 at the Cultivating Care Garden at First Presbyterian Church, 1200 S. Carbon St., Marion.

This hands-on, seasonal program is tailored to mid-July conditions in southern Illinois, when heat and humidity drive peak garden pest activity. Held during the cooler evening “golden hour,” the program takes advantage of dusk conditions when many insects are easier to observe, offering a more comfortable time for gardeners to work outdoors.

Participants will learn to identify common mid-summer garden pests — such as squash bugs, Japanese beetles, aphids, tomato hornworms, and caterpillars — while distinguishing them from beneficial insects. The program emphasizes integrated pest management strategies, including monitoring, physical removal, proper timing, and environmentally responsible controls.

Through a guided tour of the Cultivating Care Food Donation Garden, demonstrations and discussion, participants will gain practical skills to manage pest pressure, support healthy plants, and maintain productive gardens throughout the summer. Attendees will also learn how to get involved as volunteers with the Cultivating Care Food Donation Garden.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n8pv3nf.

Estate Planning

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The online program Securing the Future: Personal Estate Planning will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. ET July 13.

The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team offers this free program 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/ycy2z9bn. For more information, contact Kyle Weaver at 812-427-3152, keweaver@purdue.edu.

Food Storage

DECATUR, Ill. — Produce Storage and Food Safety will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 14 at Crossing Healthcare Garden, 320 Central Ave., Decatur.

Learn how to add days to the shelf-life of fresh fruits and veggies, and how to safely store and prepare foods to prevent foodborne illness.

Gardening in Comfort

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Gardening in Comfort will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 14 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Gardening in Comfort involves using adaptive tools, equipment, and techniques to best fit the needs of the gardener. Anyone, at any age, can garden with greater ease, preventing injury and reducing stress on the body. Included in the presentation will be a display of adaptive tools.

Dixon Springs Field Day

SIMPSON, Ill. — Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Field Day will be 5 to 8 p.m. July 14 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Hwy 145 N, Simpson.

Educational sessions will include: Forest Management, Invasive Species Identification and Management, Pollinator Prairie Establishment, Ongoing Animal Science Research Projects, Ticks of Illinois, High Tunnel Vegetable Production, Biological Insect Control, and Managing Heat Stress in Tomatoes.

Cost is $5, and includes a farm-to-table meal made from ingredients harvested from the Ag Center.

Mindful Gardening

LITCHFIELD, Ill. — Mindfulness and Meditation in the Garden will be 11 a.m. to noon July 14 at St. Francis Way Clinic, 805 St. Francis Way, Litchfield.

Practice simple, guided observation techniques using plants to slow down and re‑center attention. Attend ready to participate in an easy, accessible mindfulness experience — no gardening background needed. Participants leave with a repeatable practice for stress relief that works anywhere plants are present.

Cooking with Herbs

DEER CREEK, Ill. — Cooking with Herbs and Spices will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 14 at Deer Creek Library, 205 E. 1st Ave., Deer Creek.

This program will show participants how to use fresh herbs and everyday seasonings to elevate dishes, reduce sodium, and bring new life to their favorite recipes.

What’s In My Food?

KEWANEE, Ill. — What’s In My Food? Decoding Chemicals and Safety will be 2 to 3 p.m. July 14 at Kewanee Public Library, 102 S. Tremont St., Kewanee.

Extension Food and Nutrition Educator Kristin Bogdonas will discuss natural and artificial food chemicals. Learn how to identify them, understand their impact on food safety, and weigh the pros and cons of their use. From naturally occurring compounds to additives in processed food, participants gain the knowledge to make informed choices about what they eat.

Registerby calling 309-852-4505. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/fxwpzmnj.

Stackable Herbs

WARRENSBURG, Ill. — Stackable Herb Containers will be 6 to 7 p.m. July 14 at Barclay Public Library, 220 Main St., Warrensburg.

Learn about a variety of herbs, including how to grow, care for, and harvest them. Each participant will also create a stackable herb container garden to take home and enjoy throughout the growing season.

Grazing Conference

EFFINGHAM, Ill. — Heart of America Grazing Conference will be noon to 8 p.m. July 15, and 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. July 16 at Effingham Events Center, 1501 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham.

Whether looking to improve soil health, water quality, or increase biodiversity of livestock operations, the conference brings together graziers from across the Midwest for two days of immersive, producer-focused learning.

July 15 will include a farm tour, trade show and networking, annual meeting, dinner and keynote, and a virtual fence panel discussion.

July 16 will include cattle genetics keynote, University of Illinois research updates, build a regenerative grazing system contest, and four additional afternoon sessions.

Between the two days, presentation topics covered include cattle coaching, virtual fencing, minerals, toxins, and epigenetics, bale grazing, small ruminant management, tick research, genetics and environment, eliminating fertilizer, and additional research reviews.

The cost is $40 for day one, $45 for day two, or $85 for both days. The Build a Regenerative Grazing Plan Competition for participants ages 14 to 22 requires additional registration.

For questions about the event, contact Travis Meteer, Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator and beef cattle specialist at wmeteer2@illinois.edu or 217-236-4961. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/39hv4wmd.

Conference partners include Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, Illinois Forage and Grassland Council, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and University of Illinois Extension.

BBQ Dinner

WHITTINGTON, Ill. — Franklin County 4-H Annual BBQ Dinner will be 3:30 to 7 p.m. July 15 at Franklin County Fairgrounds, Franklin Road, Whittington.

The meal is $13, which includes a barbecue sandwich, beans, slaw, chips, dessert, and a drink. There is a roadside drive-thru option for carry-outs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/vbcc47ec.

Gardening on a Budget

MT. VERNON, Ill. — Gardening on a Budget will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 15 at Jefferson County Extension, 4202 Williamson Place, Suite 2, Mt. Vernon.

Groceries can be expensive, especially if you have a family. Illinois Extension educators Jamie Mahlandt and Chris Lueking will teach participants practical skills on how to create a personalized garden budget, understand start-up garden costs, and design and plant a container garden.

Healthy Charcuterie

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Building a Healthy Charcuterie Board will be 4 to 6 p.m. July 15 at 201 W. Kenyon Road, Suite 3, Champaign.

Learn how to create a balanced and beautiful charcuterie board. Discover tips for selecting wholesome ingredients, arranging a well-balanced spread, and making your own mini charcuterie board to enjoy.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/nu9yywhx.

Flower Arranging

HENRY, Ill. — Flower Arranging Workshop will be 6 to 7 p.m. July 16 at Marshall-Putnam County Extension, 509 Front St., Henry.

Discover the art of floral design in this hands-on workshop led by master gardener volunteers. Learn how to arrange flowers like a professional using fresh, seasonal blooms — including dahlias, zinnias, and more — cut straight from a master gardener’s own garden. Registration fee of $10 covers all materials.

Turf and Landscape Field Day

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET July 21 at William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center, 1340 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette.

This annual one-day event provides professional turf and landscape managers exposure and educational opportunities with the latest research and technical resources. The field day features research tours, talks on current topics, and a trade show with over 40 exhibitors displaying equipment, turf, and landscape products.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mr4yv64t. Contact Kyle Daniel at 765-494-7621, daniel38@purdue.edu.

Balanced Learning

WILLIAMSPORT, Ind. — Building Balanced Learning: Nurturing Holistic Development will be 9 to 11 a.m. ET July 25 at Warren County Extension, 408 SR 28E, Williamsport.

Holistic development refers to supporting the whole child — their mind, body, and social-emotional well-being so they grow into well-rounded individuals. Instead of focusing on just academics, holistic development recognizes that children learn best when all areas of growth are nurtured together.

Educators will learn how integrating holistic development ideas provide children with a balanced learning environment.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2bm22d5z.

Finance Class

ANGOLA, Ind. — Finance Class will be 5 to 5:45 p.m. ET July 29 at Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne St., Angola.

Unlock the mysteries of personal finance and empower yourself with essential money management skills. Classes are $3 per session and will be held monthly on the last Wednesday of the month.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2kabkyzk; contact Dana Stanley, 260-668-1000, ext. 1400, dlstanle@purdue.edu.