Calendar: Self-guided tour of 11 county farms

HARVARD, Ill. — The McHenry County Farm Stroll will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27.

Farm Stroll is a self-guided tour of McHenry County’s diversified family farms. There is no beginning or end of the tour. Just choose the farms you wish to visit and go during the Stroll’s time frame.

There is no charge for Farm Stroll. However, bring some cash. Individual farmers will be selling products and produce. Some farms will conduct tours and demonstrations.

Featured farms are:

• Wanda Farms, 17419 Hebron Road, Harvard

• Middlebury Farms, 10107 Alden Road, Harvard

• Piscasaw Gardens, 9306 Lawrence Road, Harvard

• Jorge’s Farm, 6710 S. Oak Grove Road, Harvard

• SunBerry Orchard, 2318 Greenwood Road, Woodstock

• Hitch’N Post Alpaca and Llama Farm and Country Cottage, 1406 Park Lane Drive, Woodstock

• Maria’s Farm, 216 Menge Road, Marengo

• Operation Wild Horse, 605 S. Valley Hill Road, Bull Valley

• Garlic eScape, 14115 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock

• Adama Farm, 18317 Garden Valley Road, Marengo

• Hasselmann Family Farm, 23706 Harmony Road, Marengo

Honey and Health

COAL VALLEY, Ill. — Honey and Health will be 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Coal Valley Library, 900 1st St., Coal Valley.

There are over 300 varieties of honey, each with unique flavor, color, and aroma profiles. The popularity of honey has continued to grow over the past decade due, in part, to its nutritional and therapeutic uses. Illinois Extension Food and Nutrition Educator Kristin Bogdonas will discuss how to maximize honey in the kitchen. Attendees will taste test common and rare varieties of honey.

To register, call 309-799-3047. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/59k6uu44.

Gut Health

MONTICELLO, Ill. — Gateway to Gut Health will be 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 21 at Allerton Public Library, 4000 Green Apple Lane, Monticello.

What lives in your digestive tract and how you feed those organisms can influence your health. Explore the huge and tiny world of gut health by discussing the roles of fiber and other foods, defining common terms like probiotics and FODMAPs, and understanding the current science of the gut.

The class will include a recipe demonstration and tasting.

From Seed to Prairie

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Learn how tallgrass prairie plants get their start in the program From Seed To Prairie, 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Champaign County Extension Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

Explore the remarkable strategies plants use to disperse, persist, germinate and establish, while connecting these processes to prairie restoration, management and conservation.

Herb Gardening

OREGON, Ill. — Herb Gardening will be 10:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 21 at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

During this hands-on with workshop with Extension Horticulture Educator Bruce Black and Program Coordinator Jan Saglier, participants will discover the aromas and uses of a variety of fresh herbs, create their own compound butter and mix a no‑salt seasoning blend to take home.

Costs is $10. Register by calling 815-732-3252. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4se3c7as.

Rain Gardens

MACOMB, Ill. — Rainscaping Education Program: Build and Care for Rain Gardens will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 21 at Spoon River College Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St., Macomb.

This course introduces participants to rainscaping — an approach that uses landscape practices to slow rainwater down, help it soak into the ground and reduce runoff. These techniques filter pollutants, protect local lakes and streams, and improve the health of your property.

Participants will learn:

• Rain garden design — how to plan and size a garden for your site.

• Installation techniques — soil prep, plant selection and layout.

• Maintenance essentials — keeping your garden functioning and thriving.

• Runoff reduction strategies — simple ways to manage stormwater at home.

• Water quality benefits — how rainscaping protects local waterways.

Beyond the Mug

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Coffee 101: Beyond the Mug will be 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at Macoupin County Extension, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Learn about this popular drink from its discovery through its cultivation, processing, and commercial preparation and distribution. Learn about the process of decaffeinated coffee, and the popularity of specialty coffee drinks.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdhy8hzx.

Eat to Compete

WATERLOO, Ill. — Eat to Compete: Sports Nutrition Program for Teen Athletes will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept 22 at Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo.

Learn how proper nutrition can support energy, strength, recovery and athletic performance. Topics will include meal planning, hydration, protein supplements and common nutrition myths.

Garden Wrap-up

ELDORADO, Ill. — Summer Garden Wrap-up will be 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Eldorado First Baptist Church, 1101 Second St., Eldorado.

Although the summer garden season is ending, that doesn’t mean the work is done. There are many things you can do now to set your garden and pantry up for success over the winter.

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator Bronwyn Aly will walk through end-of-summer garden tasks and cleanup. She’ll also cover the benefits of cover crops for home or community gardens, including the timing and crop types that work best for your space.

Lizz Cooley-Questelle, health and community wellness educator, will provide resources about food preservation and food safety. Information will be provided about proper storage and timely use of home-preserved items.

Moths of Illinois

LACON, Ill. — The Night Shift: Moths of Illinois will be 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Lacon Public Library, 205 6th St., Lacon.

This program highlights moth diversity, their often-overlooked importance as pollinators, and the connections they have to native plants and wildlife. Participants will also learn about hands-on ways to get involved in moth observation and contribute to citizen science efforts right in their own backyards.

Fungi Day Out

EDELSTEIN, Ill. — From Caps to Trails: A Fungi Day Out will be 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at Tawny Oaks Singing Woods, 715 W. Singing Woods Road, Edelstein.

Kelli Parke, program coordinator at the Forest Park Nature Center of the Peoria Park District, will discuss the fascinating world of mushrooms, including how they grow, where they live and why they’re so important to our native ecosystems.

Participants will enjoy a mushroom-themed picnic lunch before heading out on a guided mushroom identification hike through Singing Woods Nature Preserve.

Growing Blooms

SKOKIE, Ill. — Growing Quality Blooms will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Talking Farm, 3669 W. Howard St., Skokie.

Participants will learn how water and nutrient management influence stem quality, yield and plant health, and explore practical strategies for improving production efficiency and consistency. This event is designed for those interested in adding a cut-flower enterprise to an urban vegetable farm.

Floral Design

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — Floral Design Workshop: Dried Flowers and Preserved Leaves will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at Fulton County Extension, 15411 N. IL-100, Lewistown.

Participants will work with beautiful dried flowers and preserved leaves to create long-lasting bouquets that are perfect for home décor and any occasion.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/wrkd93bd.

Tool Care

DECATUR, Ill. — Tool Care and Fall Gardening will be 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 25 at Southside Hill Community Garden, 826 E. Lawrence St., Decatur.

Learn proper care for garden tools and ways to “put the garden to bed” for a healthier, lower-maintenance spring.

Tree Climbing Championship

NOBLESVILLE, Ind — The 2026 Indiana Arborist Association Tree Climbing Championship will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Sept. 26-27 at Forest Park, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville.

The Indiana Tree Climbing Championship provides a competitive but educational opportunity for working arborists to demonstrate and exchange new climbing techniques, increase the interaction between various firms and members in the industry, and provide positive public exposure for the profession.

Showcasing the highest level of professional skills and safety, this learning environment also introduces the public to the skills professional tree climbing arborists must use for safe, professional tree work.

The contestants will compete in five preliminary events: Work Climb, Aerial Rescue, Throwline, Ascent Event and Speed Climb. The contestants who accumulate the highest combined points total in the preliminary events earn the right to move on to the championship round, the Masters’ Challenge and awarded prizes.

For more information and tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/32pku4vj.

Hunger Walk

PEORIA, Ill. — Tri-County Hunger Walk will be 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at Donovan Park, 5805 Knoxville Ave., Peoria.

Participants will donate healthy, shelf-stable food items to local pantries and enjoy a 30-minute walk with fellow community members.

The event will feature free resources, community vendors, and fun activities for the whole family.

Growing Bulbs

BEMENT, Ill. — Learn how to select, plant, and care for garden bulbs to create beautiful spring displays from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 26 at Bement Lions Club Community Center, 117 S. Macon St., Bement.

Discover why fall is the ideal time for planting and get tips for growing vibrant blooms in your garden.

All About Trees

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Boone County master gardeners will be talking about tree care basics, tree selection and tree identification, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Belvidere Farmers Market, 413 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere.

Stop by their information table to get advice, ideas, and have your lawn and garden questions answered.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/5bcwuuvh.

Junior Leaders

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Junior Leaders — Allen County will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 29 at Allen County Extension, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

The Junior Leader project allows 4-H members in grades 7-12 the opportunity to provide their adult 4-H volunteers with additional assistance in their 4-H Clubs and related activities. Junior Leaders also serve as mentors and role models to the younger 4-H members by sharing their experiences with them.

Junior Leaders meet on the last Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/spktp33j.

Finance Class

ANGOLA, Ind. — Finance Class will be 5 to 5:45 p.m. ET Sept. 30 at the 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 are held monthly on the last Wednesday of the month.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/t5dbce5r.

Brain Health

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Building Brain-Healthy Habits will be 10:30 a.m. to noon CT Oct. 5 at Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave., Merrillville.

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.

Farmland Owners Conference

WABASH, Ind. — Land of Opportunity: A Conference for Farmland Owners will be 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Oct. 5 at Honeywell Center, 275 W. Market St., Wabash, and Oct. 6 at Terre Haute Convention Center, 800 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute.

The conference will feature keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions, and networking opportunities designed specifically for those who own, manage, or have an interest in farm and forest land.

When registering, participants will have the opportunity to customize their conference experience by selecting the breakout sessions that best align with their interests and landownership goals. These interactive sessions will feature presentations from Purdue Extension educators and specialists, as well as industry professionals, and will provide ample time for questions and discussion.

Whether you are interested in leasing arrangements, conservation practices, estate planning, taxes, or other topics impacting rural landowners, the breakout sessions offer practical information and expert guidance tailored to your needs.

Registration is $40, which includes a catered lunch and program materials. Visit https://tinyurl.com/yckaj255.