Calendar: Solar farm drainage, soil considerations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The webinar Solar on Your Farm: Drainage and Soil Health Considerations for Landowners will be noon to 1:30 p.m. July 30.

Soil and water conservation are important to landowners, and solar farms can have both positive and negative impacts depending on how they are designed and managed.

Tile drainage supports crop production on about half of Indiana’s farmland, making it important to understand how solar development may affect drainage systems and what strategies can improve outcomes. Soil health may be temporarily stressed during solar farm construction but can improve under the continuous living cover provided by established vegetation.

This presentation will discuss the processes that influence soil and water resources and how they can be protected, and in some cases enhanced, within solar farm systems.

Meet the Pollinators

URBANA, Ill. — Meet the Pollinators, a program for children ages 5 to 11, will be offered at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. July 11 at Idea Garden, 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.

Participants will learn about many different types of pollinators and how they help us grow flowers and food around the world. After the program, each participant will have an opportunity to participate in a craft that they get to take home — a cute bee made out of beads.

Passing on Belongings

HOOPESTON, Ill. — The program Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 13 at Hoopeston Public Library, 110 N. 4th St., Hoopeston.

Most people have some valued personal belongings that they’d like to stay in the family or pass down to a future generation. In this program, participants will explore ways to talk to family members about the difficult subject of distributing family items with emotional and sentimental value while keeping relationships intact.

Mindfulness Hike

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — The Mindfulness Hike will be 9 a.m. to noon July 15 at Emiquon Nature Preserve, 11304 N. Prairie Road, Lewistown.

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. Being with nature in the present moment is the primary purpose.

Youth Gardening

SIMPSON, Ill. — Grow, Harvest, Prepare, and Share, a youth gardening class, will be 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 16 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Hwy 145 N, Simpson.

After learning more about where their food comes from and taking an active role in the growing process, youth participants will then head to the kitchen for Illinois Junior Chef cooking classes to learn knife skills, cooking techniques, and nutrition basics.

Cooking with Grandma

CLINTON, Ill. — Cooking with Grandma will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 16 at DeWitt County Extension, 1160 IL 54, Suite B, Clinton.

Spend the morning with grandchildren sharing laughs and making memories. Children will practice basic kitchen skills and learn how to read a recipe. Children may attend without a grandparent. Substitute grandmas available upon request.

The program also will be offered 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 17 at Maroa Library, 305 E. Garfield, Maroa. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc5tfjf6.

Opioid Overdose

WESTCHESTER, Ill. — Fatal Opioid Overdose Prevention Program for college-age individuals will be 1 to 2 p.m. July 16 at Illinois Extension, 2205 Enterprise Drive, Westchester.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that there were 1,169 opioid-related deaths in 2024, and the American Medical Association supports college students to carry naloxone.

Illinois Extension is offering a program that describes the statistics surrounding opioid use, emerging trends, how to respond to an opioid overdose, how to use life-saving nasal naloxone and fentanyl test strips.

Extension also has partnered with the Cook County Department of Public Health to provide free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to be given out at the end of each program to participants.

For questions, contact Shannon Towers at sptowers@illinois.edu. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yshwn9h9.

Staying Safe Online

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The program Staying Safe Online will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 16 at The Dream Center, 1615 E. Wallace St., Fort Wayne.

This hands-on workshop reviews important tips for keeping your personal information safe while enjoying the benefits of the internet. Learn how to recognize suspicious emails, tips for safe browsing and best practices for shopping online.

Flowers and Fruit

LEWISTOWN,Ill. — The floral design workshop Flowers and Fruit will be 1 to 3 p.m. July 17 at Fulton County Extension, 15411 IL-100, Lewistown.

Christine Wright, Hy-Vee floral manager, will demonstrate the art of combining fresh flowers and fruit in floral arrangements. Participants will learn design guidelines, balance, and care techniques while creating a vibrant arrangement featuring citrus and daisies, perfect for adding a fresh, playful touch to home décor.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ybhu59ma.

Wellness Walk

RIVER GROVE, Ill. — Cook County July Nature Wellness Walk will be 10 a.m. to noon July 18 at Sunset Bridge Meadow, North Avenue, east of North 1st Avenue, River Grove.

Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led by certified guides during these slow and leisurely walks that can lead to improved mental and physical health. A beautiful tea ceremony will be conducted after the walk.

Growing a Tea Garden

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Growing a Tea Garden will be 6 to 7 p.m. July 20 at Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan.

If you enjoy a nice cup of tea and have a flare for gardening, come learn what plants you can grow in our area to create or enhance your very own tea blends. Learn about the vast array of plants that can be used for making tea.

Growing Ginger and Turmeric

GOREVILLE, Ill. — The Summer Twilight Series program Growing Ginger and Turmeric will be 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Pink Tiger Farm, 6925 State Route 37 N, Goreville.

Learn about ginger, turmeric, and other value-added products.

Pink Tiger Farm began five years ago when owners Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams left their busy Chicago careers to pursue a shared dream of farming. The pandemic pushed them to make the leap, trading city life for land in southern Illinois. Believing store‑bought produce often lacks true flavor, they now focus on heirloom peppers and herbs, growing distinctive varieties like Hawaiian red turmeric and Aleppo peppers chosen for their heritage, taste, and cultural significance.

In addition to their spices, Pink Tiger collaborates with other local farmers to produce value-added products such as hot honey and infused vinegars. They believe their success is intertwined with the success of their community and follow a philosophy of interdependence — growing their business while supporting others. In 2025, Pink Tiger Farm was one of 20 new locally owned businesses inducted into the Illinois Made program, highlighting businesses whose authentic products and unique experiences reflect the best of Illinois’ culture. Join the tour to learn more about their farm and locally-grown products.

Arborist Seminar

NOBLESVILLE, Ill. — The 2026 Certified Arborist Preparation Course Seminar will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET July 22 at Forest Park Inn, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville.

This seminar is for those seeking to become an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist, and provides assistance with exam preparation

Lunch will be provided. An exam is scheduled to take place following the prep course.

For more information, contact Lindsey Purcell at 219-295-0048, or lindsey@indiana-arborist.org. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y47z2km9.