Calendar: Corn yield survey in Montgomery County

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The Montgomery County Yield Survey will be 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 at Montgomery County Extension, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Volunteers will form groups to survey fields and estimate corn yields in each of the 19 townships. The groups will reconvene at the Extension office by noon to compile the data and share results. Montgomery County Farm Bureau will provide a complimentary lunch. The results will be published after they are compiled.

Leaf Casting

PEKIN, Ill. — Leaf Casting will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Tazewell County Extension, 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin.

Create a one-of-a-kind concrete leaf casting in this guided workshop with Ella Maxwell. Participants will mix concrete, shape it over a leaf mold, and learn the steps needed to produce a durable, decorative piece for the garden or landscape. All materials will be provided.

Farm Legacy

MT. VERNON, Ill. — Focus on the Future: Sustaining Farm Legacy will be 10 a..m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at DoubleTree Hotel, 222 Potomac Blvd., Mt. Vernon.

The event will feature updates for farmers, landowners and agricultural stakeholders on the current agricultural environment, including succession planning, asset stewardship, farm bill and market conditions.

Session topics will include Building Strong Landowner-Tenant Relationships, Understanding Today’s Farm Economics, Conservation and Sustainability Updates, and Farm Succession Planning.

Cost is $20 and includes lunch. For those who cannot attend in person, a hybrid online option will be available.

Flower Arranging

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Fall Flower Arranging will be 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Learn how to design stunning floral arrangements that capture the rich colors and textures of the fall season. Participants will learn about the best flowers and foliage to use, how to arrange them beautifully, and techniques to ensure your creations last.

Fall Wreath Workshop

FORSYTH, Ill. — The Fall Wreath Workshop will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at Forsyth Public Library, 268 S. Elwood St., Forsyth.

Create a beautiful fall flower wreath to to hang on your door and enjoy all season long.

Mental Health First Aid

DIXON, Ill. — Farmer Mental Health First Aid will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Hellmich Riverview Conference Center at Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Strong farms start with strong people — and no one has to face stress alone. This workshop focuses on recognizing the signs of stress, supporting farmers in distress, and building skills to better manage your own mental health. Learn about the resources available across Illinois.

Dinner will be at 5:30, followed by the presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The workshop and dinner are free thanks to sponsorship from Lee County and Whiteside County Farm Bureaus.

Mediterranean Diet

PONTIAC, Ill. — Eating the Mediterranean Way will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Medical Center Conference Room, 2500 W. Reynolds St., Pontiac.

Participants will discover the core principles of Mediterranean-style eating, simple strategies for incorporating Mediterranean foods into shopping and meal planning, the benefits and uses of olive oil, and how to confidently read and understand a nutrition facts label.

Part 2 of the program will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3emkanta.

Cut Flower Farm Tour

INDIANAPOLIS — The Cut Flower Farm Tour will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Aug. 25 at Honey Bird Farm, 6225 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis.

Explore production practices, marketing strategies, and the realities of growing market-ready blooms.

There will be refreshments after the tour. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2n7mvnja.

Tax Assistance

INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue Extension Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Pop-Up Event will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Indianapolis Public Library, 5420 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.

Representatives from Legal Aid, the Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service will be available to provide information and answer general questions. Trained VITA volunteers also will be on-site to assist eligible individuals with completing current and prior-year tax returns.

Take advantage of this opportunity to receive free, trusted assistance and connect with valuable community resources.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2b7daywf or call Ashley Piland at 317-275-9253.

Interagency Meeting

ANGOLA, Ind, — Steuben County Nonprofit Interagency Meeting will be noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne St., Angola.

Network with area nonprofits to learn about services being offered in Steuben County.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc3fmpws or call Dana Stanley at 260-668-1000, ext. 1440.

Drone Applications

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Drone-based Herbicide Applications for Invasive Plants will be 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 26.

Drone-based herbicide applications for invasive plants have been increasing due to their low cost, the increasing availability of contract applicators, and decreasing equipment costs. However, recommendations for effective drone-based treatments of invasive plants are sparse. This talk will focus on a project to evaluate the efficacy of drone-based herbicide applications on priority invasive plants, including common reed, autumn olive, and bush honeysuckle.

This presentation will provide an overview of the findings, recommendations for successful drone treatments, and next steps to improve this emerging technology in natural resource management.

Drought-Tolerant Plants

MILAN, Ill. — Drought-Tolerant Plants will be 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 at University of Illinois Extension, 321 W. 2nd Ave., Milan.

Extension Horticulture Educator Emily Swihart will discuss practical strategies for creating an attractive, water-efficient home landscape. This session covers what makes plants drought-tolerant, recommended species to consider, and simple water-smart practices you can use right away. Participants will then create their own air plant terrarium to take home.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y78vntaw.

Grass ID Workshop

CYPRESS, Ill. — Grass Identification Workshop will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 27 at Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885-IL 37, Cypress.

Learn the basics of grass identification and how to identify common grasses in Illinois at this in-person workshop with Extension Educator Erin Garrett. There will be indoor and outdoor learning components.

Garden Social

MUNDELEIN, Ill. — A garden social fundraising event, will be 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at The Country Bumpkin Garden Center, 27691 N. Gilmer Road, Mundelein.

This garden social fundraising event supports Illinois Extension programs in Lake and McHenry County. There will be raffles, prizes, shopping and live demonstrations of seasonal planter building.

Cost is $35. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3bk4kt5s.

Preserving Tomatoes

HILLSBORO, Ill. — Preserve the Harvest will be 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at Montgomery County Extension, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Participants will learn safe, up-to-date methods for canning, freezing and drying tomatoes, and make chile salsa.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ppt6mc68.

Nature Fun Fest

ROUND LAKE, Ill. — Nature Fun Fest will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 at Round Lake Area Park District, 814 W. Hart Road, Round Lake.

Activities at this free event will include pond dipping, nature crafts, live animals, scavenger hunts, plant identification and bird watching.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2bv77jvr.

Butterflies, Dragonflies

CYPRESS,Ill. — Butterfly and Dragonfly Adventures will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 30 at Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress.

Participants will enjoy a craft, read a story together, and take a short identification hike as they learn about the fascinating world of butterflies and dragonflies.

To register, call 618-657-2064. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/hz3d7djc.

Can with Confidence

WATERLOO, Ill. — Can with Confidence will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo.

Participants will learn safe, research-based methods for preserving foods at home and receive the latest food safety recommendations. Dial pressure canner gauge testing will be available.

Native Seeds

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Reaping the Harvest: Collection, Processing and Sowing Native Seeds will be 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Luke Dahlberg, native seed program manager at Citizens for Conservation. will discuss different approaches for seed collection, equipment, and techniques to clean and sow seeds.

Garden Tour

MUNDELEIN, Ill. — Extension is celebrating 40 years of the Master Gardener program in Lake County.

To commemorate this milestone, Extension is hosting a series of public tours of Master Gardener project sites around Lake County that showcase the public service and outreach provided by Master Gardener volunteers.

Featured from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 1 will be Fremont Township Community Garden, 22385 IL Route 60, Mundelein.

Incorporating a number of permaculture practices throughout the garden, attendees will see examples of green roofs, swales, and rain gardens. Organic vegetables are grown alongside fruit such as serviceberries and grapes, all of which stock the shelves of the Fremont Township Food Pantry.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ymxwh4yp.

Tree and Log Quality

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association presents the Hardwood University class on tree and log quality, scaling and measurement, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Sept. 2 at Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 East 350 North, Butlerville.

Participants will learn about scaling standing trees for diameter, merchantable height and board footage; inspect trees for timber quality and discuss impacts on tree/log grades and value; practice tree grading on selected trees; cut down a tree or two and discuss bucking decisions to maximize the value of each log; and practice log grading and value impacts.

Registration includes a tree measuring stick and a lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/fyc94jks. For more information, contact Rado Gazo at 765-494-3634 or gazo@purdue.edu.

Gardening Tips

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Gardening Tips & Tech will be 11 a.m. to noon CT Sept. 3 at Valparaiso Public Library 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso.

This free workshop on home gardening tips and technology is tailored for older adults.