LENA, Ill. — Pasture Options and Economics will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 12 at the Lena Community Center, 497 Lions Drive, Lena.

Bill Halfman, University of Wisconsin Extension; and Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension, will discuss management strategies to make the most of available forages.

The program is part of the Pasture Management: Recovering from 2023 series. Other programs in the series will include Pasture Recovery and Weed Control, March 19; and Keeping the Pasture Working March 26.

To register or for more information, call 815-235-4125 or visit go.illinois.edu/jsw.

Gardening for Fun

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Gardening for Food, Flowers and Fun will be 9 a.m. to noon March 9 at NIU Rockford, 8500 E. State St., Rockford.

Presented by University of Illinois Extension and Winnebago County master gardeners, the event offers fresh horticultural ideas, insights, and techniques for the 2024 the growing season.

Cost is $20. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/mr45546r.

Woodland Fire Workshop

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — The Learn-n-Burn Woodland Rx Fire Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET March 9 at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 County Rd 350 N, Butlerville.

The workshop will cover the benefits of prescribed fire for forest regeneration and wildlife, safety considerations when using prescribed fire, prescribed fire equipment, and technical and cost-share opportunities for private landowners. There also will be a woodland prescribed fire demonstration (weather permitting).

Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2zycbret. For more information, contact Jarred Brooke at jmbrooke@purdue.edu.

Garden Day

DANVILLE, Ill. — Garden Day will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 9 at Bremer Conference Center, Danville Area Community College, 2000 E. Main St., Danville.

Cost is $30, and includes the speaker program and lunch. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/45v6pnew or call 217-442-8615.

Gardening topics include:

• Building Healthy Soil For Your Landscape — Learn why soil is the foundation of every garden.

• Culinary Herbs and Pollinating Insects — Learn all about how growing culinary herbs can catch the attention of pollinators.

• What’s New With Proven Winners — Learn about the flowers coming out this year.

• What’s Wrong With My Tomatoes? — How to keep your tomato plants healthy and thriving.

Can’t commit to a whole day? The Spring Festival, with garden-themed baskets, vendors, and a silent auction, is open to the public at no charge from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Goat Workshop

MOUNT CARMEL, Ill. —The Goat Workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon March 9 at the Wabash County Fairgrounds Livestock Barn, 15039 4-H Lane, Mount Carmel.

This is a hands-on experience for youth to learn about goat selection and how to get a goat project started. The main focus of this workshop will be on meat goats and dairy goats but information on pygmy goats can be provided. Topics will include early care, feed, facilities and health.

For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/ywzuy7fj.

4-H Fun Day

ROCKTON, Ill. — Winnebago County 4-H Fun Day will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 9 at Prince of Peace Church, 2336 Freeport Road, Rockton.

4-H Fun Day is designed to give area youths ages 8 to 18 a chance to explore the many project areas available through the 4-H program in addition to other activities. This event is open to all area youth, regardless of 4-H membership.

Activities will include building a beginning level robot, creating a spring garland using felting techniques, experiencing a day in the life of a pharmacist, playing games, and watching a martial arts demonstration.

Cost is $3. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/5hebvn5c.

Attracting Hummingbirds

CYPRESS, Ill. — Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds to Your Own Backyard Pollinator Garden will be 10 to 11 a.m. March 9 at the Cache River State Area Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress.

Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling will discuss the natural history of the ruby-throated hummingbird, tips on supplemental feeding, and native plant species that are attractive to hummingbirds.

To register, visit go.illinois.edu/hum.

Ecology Hike

CAMPBELL HILL, Ill. — The Piney Creek Ravine Ecology Hike will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10 at Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area, 2280 Piney Creek Road, Campbell Hill.

Piney Creek Ravine is a designated Illinois Nature Preserve with prehistoric rock art and rare plant species. It is one of only two locations in the state where short-leaf pines grow naturally. The trail is around two miles in length and moderately rugged. Bring water and snack if desired. More information about the site may be found on the IDNR website http://tinyurl.com/mvwkvh4j.

This is a joint event of Illinois Extension Forestry and the Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club. Register by visiting http://tinyurl.com/3cdhb7np.

Crop Day

ST. MEINRAD, Ind. — Perry-Spencer Crop Day will be 6 to 9 p.m. CT March 12 at the St. Meinrad Community Center, 13150 E County Rd 1950 N, St. Meinrad.

Featured speaker will be Darcy Telenko, plant pathology specialist with Purdue Extension. Telenko’s presentation will be “Biological Fungicides: What Are They? How Do They Work? Can We Use Them Effectively in Field Crops?”

The program also will include presentations on pesticide recordkeeping requirements and 2024 worker protection standards. PARP and CCH applicator credit will be available. PARP fee will be sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. for registration and sponsor displays.

Cost is $5 and includes meal. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2weubebs.

Deer Population

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The online program Population Ecology of Deer will be 7 to 9 p.m. March 12.

Joe Caudell, state deer biologist with the Wildlife Science Unit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will discuss recent efforts to better understand deer populations and how they vary across the landscape.

Register by visiting http://tinyurl.com/mw8t2me9. For information on the Integrated Deer Management Project, visit http://tinyurl.com/2bpmfrd4.

The session is part of the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association’s winter webinar series. The next webinar, A Virtual Woodland Tour, will be 7 p.m. April 9.

Cool-Season Vegetables

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Cool-Season Vegetables will be 6 to 7 p.m. March 12.

Cool-season crops can be grown in spring or fall, each with its own characteristics and potential issues. Learn about some of the different cool-season vegetables that can be grown in Illinois and how to grow and harvest them.

The program is part of the Growing Great Vegetable Series. Cost is $10. For more information and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/mpdx755x.

Health Summit

OGLESBY, Ill. — The 2024 Hunger and Health Illinois Summit will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby.

The event is hosted by Illinois SNAP-Education and explores strategies to catalyze collaboration among local, public, and regional organizations to address food insecurity and health.

Cost is $10 and lunch is included. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/yzwp2aw5.

The Price of Debt

URBANA, Ill. — The online program The Price of Debt: How Much is Too Much? will be 11 a.m. to noon March 13.

Borrowing money can be an option to support your financial goals, but it can become overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Learn essential factors for borrowing money and determine how it fits your values.

The program is part of the Money Basics Webinar Series. For more information and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/4bu65ask.

Sheep, Goat Parasites

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Sheep and Goat Internal Parasite Management will be 6 to 7 p.m. March 14.

Internal parasites are a threat often overlooked by beginning small ruminant producers. Without proper management, they can lead to economic losses, including increased feed costs, decreased production, and even animal death. Sarah Farley, Extension educator, local food systems and small farms, will discuss common internal parasites, grazing management, symptom observation, testing strategies, and methods for control.

Th program is part of the Livestock Production and Principles for Beginners Webinar Series. For more information and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/nheh77e3.

Composting Workshop

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. — The Composting Workshop will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the Jackson County Extension office, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

Composting is beneficial for the environment as well as for you! Nutrient-rich soil can promote healthier plant growth and suppress plant disease. State Master Naturalist and Climate Change Specialist Duane Friend will lead the training to discuss the different methods of composting and how to utilize them on your homestead. Program highlights include:

• Composting process.

• Carbon/nitrogen ratio.

• What can be used vs. what should not be used in home compost.

• Methods of composting — bins, barrels, piles, etc.

• Managing the process — air, water, temperature.

• Simple testing methods for compost use as a soil amendment.

The program is part of the Modern Homesteading Series. For more information and to register, call 618-687-1727 or visit http://tinyurl.com/mr36yhvt.

A Strong Start

FREEPORT, Ill. — Planting for a Strong Start will be 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. March 14 at the Stephenson County Extension office, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.

The 2023 growing season was relatively dry, resulting in low disease pressure and high weed pressure. University of Illinois Extension Crop Sciences Educator Kathryn Seebruck will discuss how last season’s conditions will affect this year’s pest pressures as well as pest management practices to take into consideration.

The free program is part of the Farm Forward Series: Turning Last Season’s Challenges Into Next Season’s Triumphs. To register or for more information, call 815-235-4125 or visit http://tinyurl.com/yfwspb87.

Spring Cleanup

CHICAGO — Spring Cleanup will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 15 at Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, West 87th Street and South Western Avenue, Chicago.

Learn how to best prepare your landscape for a new year of growth while incorporating practices that promote sustainability and support local wildlife. Expert volunteers will share best practices and the “why” behind them. This program is presented through Conservation@Home, go.illinois.edu/conservationathome.

The program will be repeated 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 27 at the Thatcher Woods Pavilion, Chicago Avenue, west of Thatcher Avenue, River Forest.

A Taste of Lamb

SALEM, Ind. — The Washington County Sheep Association’s A Taste of Lamb will be 6:30 p.m. ET March 15 at Southern Hills Church, 1645 S. St. Rd. 135, Salem.

Attendees will sample lamb dishes, prepared with locally raised lamb, and vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded to the three dishes with the most votes. Attendees will learn about preparing lamb and will take home recipes.

The cost is $10 per person, paid at the door. Reservations are required by calling the Washington County Extension office at 812-883-4601.

Plant Art

INDIANAPOLIS — The Microgreens and Plant Art Workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon ET March 16 at the 4-H INDY Studio, Farm Bureau Building, 1202 E 38th St., Indianapolis.

Participate in family-friendly planting activities and get creative with plant art stations. This workshop is $5 per child and is open to all ages (adults are free). Families are encouraged to attend. Each child will take home their unique plant artwork and a microgreen growing kit.

Calendar: Pasture options and economics