Calendar: Simple ways to propagate houseplants

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Houseplant Propagation Basics will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake.

Brighten up the winter months by learning how to grow new houseplants from the ones you already have.

In this beginner-friendly program, you’ll discover simple ways to propagate houseplants using cuttings, division, and other easy techniques. Learn which methods work best for different plants and tips for helping your new plants thrive. Whether you’re a longtime plant lover or just getting started, this fun and practical workshop will help you grow your indoor garden and share plants with family and friends.

Urban Ag Skills School

CHICAGO — The online program Urban Ag Skills School: Financial Foundations for Success will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 9, Nov. 23 and Dec. 7.

This series will help urban and small-scale growers learn how to identify which crops are most profitable, plan for seasonal cash flow challenges, track whole farm income and expenses, and plan for growth.

An in-person work session will be noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at University of Illinois Extension, 8753 S. Greenwood, Chicago. The Cook County Local Food Systems and Small Farm team will be on hand for one-on-one coaching.

Indoor Edible Gardens

SPRING VALLEY, Ill. — Indoor Edible Gardens will be 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library, 215 E. Cleveland St., Spring Valley.

Gardening is not limited to outside in the summer. The Edible Indoor Garden shows you how to grow your own fresh herbs, salad greens, and more anytime of the year.

Livestock Skill-A-Thon

EFFINGHAM, Ill. — Effingham County Livestock Skill-A-Thon will be 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at The Equity, 2900 N. 3rd St., Effingham.

Participants ages 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 to 17 will rotate through hands-on stations and test their knowledge in equipment, feed, breeds and meat identification.

This is a great opportunity to build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for future judging contests and shows.

Blooming Pumpkins

NASHVILLE, Ill. — Blooming Pumpkins will be 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at Washington County Extension, 9623 Wall St., Nashville.

Celebrate the beauty of fall with a hands-on workshop that combines creativity, horticulture and agricultural science. Participants will design their own floral centerpiece inside a pumpkin using fresh flowers and seasonal materials. Along the way, youth ages 8 and older will discover how pumpkins grow, learn about the important role bees and other pollinators play in pumpkin production, and explore the fascinating connection between flowers and the fruits we enjoy.

Each participant will leave with a unique harvest-inspired centerpiece and a greater appreciation for the pollinators that make our gardens thrive.

Gifts from the Garden

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The online program Gifts from the Garden will be 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 11.

Merleanne Rampale, programs and education director with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, will share some of the many concoctions, tinctures, recipes, art projects, and other special goodies she has discovered, created, and crafted from her own gardens over the years.

Sourdough Starter

PANA, Ill. — Starting a Sourdough Starter will be 10:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 at Pana Community Hospital, 101 E. 9th St., Pana.

Participants will learn how to create and care for their own sourdough starter from scratch. Learn the science behind sourdough, explore its health benefits, and receive foolproof recipes to help you get baking.

Each participant will leave with a jar of starter, plus the confidence to keep it thriving.

Register by calling 217-562-6231 or email livewell@panahospital.com. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/kvcevs9w.

Bird Count Workshop

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Christmas Bird Count Workshop will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Carbondale Public Library, 405 W. Main St., Carbondale.

Included will be information on National Audubon policies, local CBC circles, how to count.

Attendance is recommended for first-time CBC volunteers. Get your questions about this annual event answered by Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kimberly Rohling.

Mental Health First Aid

RUSHVILLE, Ill. — Mental Health First Aid for Agricultural Communities will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 at Rushville Fitness and Community Center, 120 Rodewald Drive, Rushville.

Farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers face unique challenges that can affect mental health and well-being. Long hours, economic uncertainty, weather-related stress, and the demands of caring for crops, livestock and family can make it difficult to recognize when someone needs support.

Mental Health First Aid for Agriculture is a free, one-day training designed to help participants recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges and respond with confidence and compassion. Whether you’re involved in production agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural services, or simply care about supporting the agricultural community, this workshop provides practical skills that can make a difference.

Nights in Nature

GENOA, Ill. — The free family event Nights in Nature will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Natural Resource Education Center, 11750 State Route 72, Genoa.

There will be guided hikes in the forest, singing songs by the fire, and campfire snacks.

Herbal Garden Tea Party

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — Herbal Garden Tea Party will be 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at Fulton County Extension, 15411 IL-100, Lewistown.

Participants will learn how to grow, harvest, and use herbs in simple, creative ways, and take home their own custom herbal tea blend.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3nstkssw.

Prescribed Burn Primer

SIMPSON, Ill. — The Prescribed Burn Primer will be 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145N, Simpson.

Topics will include the burn plan, weather tools and apps used to monitor weather on the fire line, and different firing techniques. A live fire demonstration is planned.

4-H Family Fun Day

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — 4-H Family Fun Day will be 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at Christian County Extension, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Current 4-H members are invited to bring their families and friends, and everyone in the community is welcome to enjoy activities, games and seasonal fun.

This is a great opportunity meet other 4-H families, and see what 4-H is all about.

Pesticide Applicator Training

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education will be offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Union Circle Drive, Fort Wayne.

This comprehensive one-day training offers up to five commercial continuing certification hours for licensed applicators in most commercial categories. Participants will gain practical insights on pesticide safety, Integrated Pest Management, tick identification and control, water quality and pesticide performance, regulatory updates, and risk management strategies.

PACE also will be offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Madison County Fairgrounds. 512 E. 4th St., Alexandria; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Spencer County Youth & Community Center, 1101 E County Road 800 N, Chrisney.

Guide to Grant Writing

DUNKIRK, Ind. — Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 at West Jay Community Center, 125 Hoover St., Dunkirk.

The two-day program 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 day one, you will have a proposal outline and all the resources you need to expand your outline into a full proposal.

Return Dec. 8 with your full proposal, and educators will put you into the role of a reviewer, teach you strategies for finding funding, and provide you with an opportunity to polish your proposal and send it in for a strong professional review. Whether your project is big or small, this workshop will give you the information you need to submit proposals confidently.

UAV Technology Program

WANATAH, Ind. — The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology Program will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Nov. 21 at Pinney Purdue Ag Center, 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah.

The program will include UAV technology legal requirements, FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test preparation, and useful UAV applications. Every participant will get hands-on experience flying manual and planned UAV flights.

Applicator Recertification

SALEM, Ind. — Private Applicator Recertification Program will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Nov. 24 at the Washington County Government Building Meeting Room, 806 Martinsburg Road, Salem.

Topics will include a weed and disease update and the regulatory topic. The PARP fee is sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council, thanks to checkoff fees.

RSVPs are appreciated, but not required, by contacting Washington County Extension at 812-883-4601 or dhowellw@purdue.edu.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/rcxd64f7.