Grassroots network measures precipitation

DANVILLE, Ill. — Join the Vermilion County Master Gardeners for a night of learning about CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow), 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

CoCoRaHS, which operates in all 50 states, is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation. By using low-cost measurement tools, emphasizing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, its aim is to provide the highest-quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications.

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals, including the National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor and recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community.

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

Lambing School

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Indiana Sheep Association will host its annual Lambing School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sept. 12 at Purdue University Sheep Unit, 5480 ASREC Drive, West Lafayette.

Anyone is welcome to register, regardless of experience level, to learn the skills and methods required to successfully manage a lambing ewe during lambing season. Extension Educator Jamie Reed and Purdue Vet School Assistant Professor Laura May, DVM, will instruct and supervise the workshop.

This year, the Lambing School features:

• Tools and supplies a shepherd needs to be prepared for the lambing season.

• How to troubleshoot problem birth.

• When calling a veterinarian in to help is appropriate.

• Hands-on practice with real fall-lambing ewes.

• Dystocia simulators.

A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of the workshop and lunch. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/drkp4fha.

Brain Health

WHITING, Ind. — Building Brain — Healthy Habits will be 10:30 a.m. to noon CT Sept. 14 at Whiting Public Library, 1735 Oliver St., Whiting.

This educational program is designed to help participants take proactive steps to support brain health at every stage of life. Attendees will learn about the 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain, explore the latest brain health research, including recommendations from the U.S. Pointer study, and develop a personalized action plan for building healthier routines. Topics include nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other lifestyle habits that may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and support long-term brain health. The program emphasizes small, practical changes that can make a meaningful difference over time and highlights that it’s never too early or too late to start building brain-healthy habits.

The program will be presented by Linda Curley, Purdue Extension health and human sciences educator, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Sew It Begins

EFFINGHAM, Ill. — Sew It Begins, an eight-session beginner sewing workshop, will begin 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Effingham County Extension, 1209 N. Wenthe Drive, Effingham.

Throughout this hands-on series, participants will learn the basics of sewing and sewing machine skills while building their confidence and creativity. Each session will introduce new skills and provide opportunities to practice through fun, hands-on projects. No previous sewing experience is necessary. Whether your student is completely new to sewing or has experimented a little before, this series is designed to help them learn one stitch at a time in a fun and encouraging environment.

4-H Club Meets

The 4-H Club at Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne. kicks off from 5 to 7 p.m.ET Sept. 17.

The 4-H Club will be filled with fun activities featuring cooking, arts and crafts, sports and games.

This is eight-week supervised program will be held every Thursday through Nov. 5.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/nhbsh89v.

Family Partnerships

FRANKFORT, Ind. — Deepening Family Partnerships: Supporting Parent Engagement will be 6:30 to 8 :30 p.m. ET Sept. 17 at Clinton County Extension, 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort.

Strong family partnerships are key to helping children thrive. This training will help childcare providers build positive, trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through effective communication, collaboration, and culturally responsive practices. Participants will learn simple strategies they can use every day to strengthen family connections and support children’s social, emotional, and academic success.

Rainscaping Program

MT. VERNON, Ill. — The Rainscaping Education Program will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 14 and Sept. 21 at the Jefferson County Extension, 4202 Williamson Place, Suite 2, Mt. Vernon.

This hands-on training will introduce participants to the reasons why rain gardens are helpful and guide them through designing, installing, and maintaining them. Planting date is 9 a.m. to noon Sept 25.

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.

Mindfulness Nature Walk

EDELSTEIN, Ill. — A Mindfulness Nature Walk, led by Master Naturalist Paul Resnick, will be 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 16 at Tawny Oaks Singing Woods, 715 W. Singing Woods Road, Edelstein.

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.

Compost Confidential

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Compost Confidential will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Whether you are struggling with a traditional backyard setup or want to explore advanced indoor methods, master gardeners will be available to help you get your compost pile back on track.

Bring your toughest questions and get real, research-based answers for home composting. Tour the Extension grounds to see multiple types of outdoor composting systems in action. Get an up-close look at active indoor vermicomposting and Bokashi pre-composting setups.

Peel to Plate

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — From Peel to Plate: Reducing Food Waste One Bite at a Time will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, 201 E. Pleasant St., Taylorville.

Learn how to make the most of the food you bring home. This class looks at simple ways to cut food waste, store foods safely, and understand what expiration dates really mean. Learn about how to use ingredients from root to stalk and stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. Participants will roll up their sleeves in the kitchen and try recipes that put every part of the plant to work, including broccoli tots and air-fried buffalo broccoli stems. It’s a practical, hands-on session that helps you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy good food.

ANR Retreat

WEST LAFAYETTE, ind. — The Purdue Agriculture & Natural Resources Retreat will be 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. ET Sept. 23-24 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 U- 52 West, West Lafayette.

ANR educators serve as research based, unbiased information source for county and state constituents on a variety of topics, including: crops, ag business, livestock, natural resource, horticulture, small farms, urban ag, pesticide use and land conservation.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/457xdn64.

Prescribed Burns

NASHVILLE, Ind. — Brown County Prescribed Burn Association Interest Meeting will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 23 at Rafter Food & Spirits, 560 IN‑46, Nashville.

Are you a landowner interested in prescribed fire? Prescribed burn associations are locally-led groups of landowners and fire practitioners who share resources and expertise to burn together.

Learn about:

• Why prescribed fire is important.

• What a PBA is and how to join one.

• How Indiana’s new burn legislation can benefit Hoosiers hoping to burn.

A light dinner will be provided at this free event.

Pun’kin Palooza

KENTLAND, Ind. — Pun’kin Palooza will be 5 to 10 p.m. CT Sept. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 26, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept.27 at Newton County Fairgrounds, 12189 S. Punkin Vine Road, Kentland.

There will be photo booths, face painting, bounce houses and super slide, ax-throwing competition, craft show, Bingo, the Stone Age Show and free live entertainment. Also, there will be hay rides. a haunted house, and a 5K run/walk. Pumpkins and mums will be available for sale.

Fish Fry begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 25, with the Car and Jeep Show at 10 a.m. Sept. 26. The Illiana RC Truck Pull will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 26, followed by the Demo Derby at 6 p.m. Sept. 26. The Great Pumpkin Bake-off and BBQ Cook-off will be at noon Sept. 27.

Admission is free. For more information, visit https://punkinpalooza.weebly.com/.

CARET Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue CARET membership from across Indiana will meet for the State Conference, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Nov. 12 at Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US-52, West Lafayette.

The overall purpose of the State Conference is to talk about current issues and learn more about Purdue University and Purdue Extension. Updates are provided from the College of Agriculture and Purdue Extension. A Purdue CARET business meeting will be held to elect new Executive Committee officers. Lunch is provided.

Purdue CARET — Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching — is a volunteer group of Indiana residents that believes in the power of research and education from the Purdue University College of Agriculture, and the Purdue Extension mission to translate research into practical, effective, local programs for people across the state.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc3e43b2.