Calendar: Pumpkin Field Day at Eckert’s Orchard

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Pumpkin Field Day will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 3 at Eckert’s Orchard, 951 S. Green Mt Road, Belleville.

Extension educators and university specialists will share the latest research and production insights, giving attendees a close look at how pumpkins are grown, managed and marketed. The event will showcase a wide range of specialty pumpkins with over 75 varieties of all shapes and colors, gourds, jack-o’-lanterns, pie-sized pumpkins, and a few newly released varieties.

There is no cost to attend the field day, and a free lunch is provided to those who register before Sept. 1. Dress accordingly for outdoor conditions, as the event will go on rain or shine.

Register by emailing njohann@illinois.edu or call 618-939-3434. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2r7m4f9k.

Rain Gardens

URBANA, Ill. — Learn to Build Rain Gardens will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 1 at University of Illinois Arboretum Classroom, 2308 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.

The East Central Illinois Rainscaping Education Program will be Sept 1, Sept. 3, Sept. 15, and Sept. 17. There also will be a rain garden build day during the week of Sept. 21 to give participants the experience of installing one. This hands-on training will introduce participants to the reasons why rain gardens are helpful and guide them through designing, installing, and maintaining them.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landscape professional, municipal staff member, or simply interested in creating healthier landscapes, this program will give you practical skills you can put to use right away.

Beef Field Day

BAYLIS, Ill. — The Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the center, at the center, 37737 Perry Fishook Road, Baylis.

Participants will tour of calving barn, working facility, pens, windbreaks, and fence-line hay feeders.

The educational program will begin at 5 p.m. at John Wood Community College Ag Center, 37803 IL-104, Baylis. Topics will include: Weaning strategies for beef calves; measuring feeder cattle weights, cow size with cameras; virtual fencing; and managing tick pressure.

A free dinner will be grilled and served by the JWCC Ag Club.

To register, email Travis Meteer at wmeteer2@illinois.edu. For more information, call 217-430-7030 or visit https://tinyurl.com/579hkn7t.

Grant Writing

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 at Marion County Extension, Discovery Hall, Suite 201, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.

The two-day workshop is a great skill-builder for the beginner or intermediate grant writer. Whatever your skill level, come with an idea and be ready to write.

At the end of Sept. 2 session, participants will have a proposal outline and all of the resources needed to expand it into a full proposal.

Diabetes 101

FREEPORT, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension, in partnership with the Senior Resource Center, is offering Diabetes 101, a four-week educational series designed to help participants better understand diabetes and the role lifestyle plays in managing it.

Classes will be 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 2 to Sept. 23, at the Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson St., Freeport.

Participants will explore nutrition, meal planning, physical activity, weight management, stress management, and the importance of working with their healthcare team to improve their health and quality of life.

The Diabetes 101 series offers a variety of topics, allowing participants to register for the entire series or attend individual sessions based on their interests.

Cost is $5. To register, call the Extension office at 815-235-4125 or visit https://tinyurl.com/38wfr58m.

Seed Saving

LACON, Ill. — Seed Saving will be noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 3 at Lacon Public Library, 205 6th St., Lacon.

Interested in saving seeds from your garden? Effective seed saving involves more than just collecting seeds at the end of the season. Learn the principles of open pollination, variety isolation, harvesting, and storage that help gardeners save seeds with confidence. Whether you’re new to seed saving or looking to improve your skills, this program will provide practical guidance for preserving seeds for future growing seasons.

Soil Archive

PRINCETON, Ill. — The program Illinois Centennial Soil Archive will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., Princeton.

Discover the story behind the University of Illinois Soil Lab’s Centennial Soil Archive Project. A key piece of Illinois’ agricultural heritage is a world-class, one-of-a-kind soil sample archive collected when local soils were first surveyed. As early as 1899, soil types across the state were mapped by sampling fields to three-foot depth and characterizing the distinct soil layers. Predecessors had the foresight to keep records of sampling locations and to store these soil samples on the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus.

Learn how this historical treasure helps us understand everything from the impact of farming practices to the effects of climate change. Participants will also learn about the resampling efforts going on across the state and how to get involved.

Master Gardeners

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — The Whitley County Master Gardeners’ monthly meeting will meet 6 to 8 p.m. ET Sept. 3 at Peabody Public Library, 1160 E. State Road 205, Columbia City.

Topic will be Gardens in Whitley County.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/8wf37nmj.

Insect Hotels

EL PASO, Ill. — Insect Hotels: Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at El Paso District Library, 129 W. 1st St., El Paso.

In this hands-on insect hotel workshop, participants will explore the fascinating world of pollinators and other helpful insects and learn how small structures can make a big impact on local ecosystems. Participants will design and build their own insect hotel using natural materials, with guidance on placement and care for long-term success.

Cost is $10. Register by calliing 309-527-4360. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdztfd3n.

Native Gardens

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension and Lincoln Memorial Garden are offering a three-part native landscape design series. Throughout the series, Illinois Extension staff and master gardener and master naturalist volunteers will share a comprehensive guide to creating pollinator-friendly native plant gardens — from initial planning to implementation.

Sessions will include an introduction to native landscape design and examples of designed gardens to inspire future plantings.

• 6 p.m. Sept. 3 — “Introduction to Native Landscape Design,” University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield.

• 6 p.m. Oct. 1 — “The Essentials of Your Native Garden Design — Including Plant Choices,” University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield.

• 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 — “Design and Draw Your Own Native Garden Workshop,” Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, Springfield.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/n7t85js7.

Invasive Species

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Invasive Species Natural Resources Training will be offered online and in-person in September and October.

This free training is designed to provide education about the identification, tracking, and management of invasive species in a variety of ecosystems.

Online training dates are noon to 2 p.m. ET Sept. 8, Sept. 10, Sept. 15 and Sept. 17.

In-person field days will be 9 to 3 p.m. ET Oct. 6 at Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 County Rd 350 N, Butlerville; Oct. 13 at Martell Forest, 1007 N 725 W, West Lafayette; and Oct. 15 at Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road.

Field days include discussions and demonstrations of invasive species identification and management options such as herbicides, mechanical treatments, and cultural control. Lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mretj828.

Importance of Bees

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Importance of Bees will be 1 to 2 p.m. ET Sept. 8 at Allen County Extension, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Learn about the importance of bees and other pollinators, the life cycle of bees and how we can help the pollinators. Weather and time permitting, the workshop will include a tour of the Allen County Display Garden’s beehives.

Register by contacting the Extension office at 260-481-6826 or allences@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5h46ktmw.

Macramé Pumpkin

HILLSBORO, Ill. — Macramé Pumpkin for ages 8 to 18 will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Montgomery County Extension, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

In this hands-on workshop, youth will learn the basics of macramé while crafting an adorable pumpkin to celebrate the fall season. This beginner-friendly class is a fun way to build creativity, learn a new skill, and make a unique decoration to take home.

Cost is $3 to cover supplies. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yjcyykd5.

NEPAC Field Day

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — The Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center Field Day will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at the ag center, 4821 E 400 S, Columbia City.

Join Purdue Extension for a free field day to gain practical, research-based insights you can use immediately. Explore weed control, crop scouting, cover crops, harvest safety, pesticide label changes, and the latest ag outlook. Network with industry experts, vendors, and fellow producers while earning valuable knowledge to strengthen your operation. Lunch is included.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2kukcbvw. For questions, call the Whitley County Extension Office at 260-244-7615.

Prescribed Burn

CORYDON, Ind. — The Harrison County Prescribed Burn Association meeting will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at Harrison County Discovery Center, 233 N. Capitol Ave., Corydon.

Learn more about this locally-led group of landowners and fire practitioners. Topics will include why prescribed fire is important, and how Indiana’s new burn legislation can benefit Hoosiers hoping to burn. A light dinner will be provided.

Beneficial Insects

CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. — Beneficial Insects will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley.

Learn about beneficial insects and how to encourage them to visit your garden.

Garden to Freezer

BLUFFTON,Ind. — From Garden to Freezer: Preserving Your Harvest will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at Wells County Community Center, 4-H Park Road, Bluffton.

Topics will include: Freezing food safety guidelines and food preservation resources; blanching and freezing techniques and how to package produce for freezing; and freezer storage recommendations.

To register for this free class, call the Extension office at 260-824-6412. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc3xy3hy.

Container Gardens

URBANA, Ill. — The online Gardening on a Budget program will be 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 10.

Learn how to start a container garden that nourishes your body and wallet.

Starting a container garden can benefit your budget and be a fruitful hobby that satisfies your taste buds. Learn about the start-up expenses for a container garden and plan your produce to supplement your budget.

Nutrient Field Day

OGLESBY, Ill. — Nutrient Field Day will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith St., Oglesby.

This free event will feature research updates and practical insights on nutrient stewardship from University of Illinois researchers and industry experts. Open to students, farmers, agribusiness professionals, ag retailers, and others interested in nutrient management and agriculture.

The event is co-hosted by Illinois Valley Community College Agriculture, Illinois Extension, and the La Salle County Farm Bureau.

Sheep Sale

SALEM, Ind. — The 20th annual Midwest Hair Sheep Sale will begin at 1 p.m. ET Oct. 3 at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 118 Fair St., Salem;

The Washington County Sheep Association is accepting consignments until Sept. 5. Contact the Extension office at 812-883-4601 or dhowellw@purdue.edu to request consignment information.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvxe3fnn.