WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Spring Fest will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET April 13 at Purdue University, Purdue Agricultural Mall Drive, West Lafayette.

The annual festival, a free and inclusive event open to all, will take place at 36 sites on campus. This seasonal celebration will span the College of Agriculture buildings and grounds, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Memorial Mall. Community members and students are invited to participate in immersive activities that cover a range of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and the arts.

The Woods on Wheels exhibit includes information about the benefits of forest management and how it supports Indiana’s native wildlife, and the history of Indiana’s forests and the many industries that rely on Indiana’s hardwoods.

Other highlights include the plant sale; the Bug Bowl, featuring the Cockroach Colosseum; the Boiler Barnyard; and honey tasting. Visit the Purdue Extension — Forestry and Natural Resources display and receive aquatics, forestry and wildlife resources along with giveaways. FNR student organizations have fun activities planned in the FNR tent.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yw6542xt.

Tractor skills

EDGERTON, Ohio — Join women from across northeast Indiana for basic tractor skills training, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET April 8 at Truland Equipment, 2773 US-6, Edgerton, Ohio.

Cost is $25. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/7pk9feka.

Home Horticulture

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Spring Series of Home Horticulture will be 6 to 8 p.m. April 8, April 15 and April 22 at the Rock Island Holiday Inn, 226 17th St., Rock Island.

Topics will include Birds of Prey, Effective Tree Care, Plant Propagation, The Rusty Patched Bumblebee, Growing a Cut Flower Garden, and New Plants.

Cost is $10 per session or $25 for the series. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/2svj2uty.

Whole Grains

PANA, Ill. — Cooking with Whole Grains will be 10:30 a.m. to noon April 9 at Pana Community Hospital, 101 E. 9th St., Pana.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend making half our grains whole grains. Learn how to identify whole grains when grocery shopping, get ideas for how to incorporate more whole grains into your diet and practice making recipes with whole grains such as barley, quinoa and brown rice.

Indoor Edible Plants

WENONA, Ill. — The program Indoor Edible Plants will be 11 a.m. to noon April 9 at the Wenona Bond Public Library, 208 S. Chestnut St., Wenona.

Gardening is not limited to the outside in summer. Learn how to grow your own edible plants indoors any time of the year.

Nutrition Program

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Indiana’s WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is now IN eFMNP.

To participate in 2024, farmers must sign up with Indiana Department of Health and MarketLink. IDOH, Purdue Extension and INFMCP are hosting in-person sign-up events:

• 4 to 8 p.m. ET April 9, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne; https://tinyurl.com/3fmnvye6.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET April 18, Tippecanoe County Health Department, 1950 S. 18th St., Lafayette; https://tinyurl.com/3mucv4p7.

• 3 to 7 p.m. CT May 6, Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point; https://tinyurl.com/2j2z5vvw.

• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT May 9, Vanderburgh 4-H Center, 201 E Boonville-New Harmony Road, Evansville; https://tinyurl.com/2edhuxpy.

• Noon to 4 p.m. ET May 23, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2333 W Industrial Park Drive, Bloomington; https://tinyurl.com/546fvhh.

IDOH and MarketLink representatives will be present to explain the program and get you through the process. Market managers are welcome attend to learn about the new way WIC and Senior FMNP is being offered at farmers markets this summer.

Budgeting Workshop

MAROA, Ill. — Learn how to stretch your grocery dollars at the Budgeting Workshop, 5 to 6 p.m. April 9 at the Maroa Public Library, 305 Garfield St., Maroa.

Virtual Woodland Walk

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Dan Childs will lead a virtual woodland walk from 7 to 8 p.m. ET April 9. Participants will see examples of the ephemeral wildflowers you might see in the spring

Childs, the author of three wildflower books, has a passion for teaching and is often invited to speak on wildflower identification and invasive plant management at public and private events. He currently works part-time at Prophetstown State Park and is a member of the Indiana Native Plant Society.

This is the last program in the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners’ Association Winter Webinar Series. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3eb9z926.

Unwelcome Visitors

HILLSBORO, Ill. — A bunny is cute — until it destroys your prized roses. Wild animals can be destructive to home landscapes and keeping them out can be a challenge.

Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will offer solutions for unwelcome visitors in the garden from 5 to 6 p.m. April 10 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Gardening Seminar

PARIS, Ill. — The April in Paris Gardening Seminar will be 8:30 a.m. to noon April 11 at Lake Ridge Christian Church, 122 E. Steidl Road, Paris.

The event will feature three speakers, breakfast and vendors selling horticulture-related items.

Speakers and topics will be:

• Edgar County Master Gardener Jan Phipps: The stories behind the names of plants.

• Nathan and Lisa Campbell of Danville Gardens: New varieties of plants for 2024.

• Extension Horticulture Educator Chris Enroth: Trees for our home landscape.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/t774ftxa.

Native Shrubs

ELIZABETH, Ill. — The Spring Break Gardening Series program Native Shrubs will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 11 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Jo Daviess County Master Gardener Mike Iacomini will discuss shrubs that are invasive and non-native and suggest native shrubs to plant in their place.

Prescribed Fire Forums

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Purdue University Extension, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, is offering prescribed fire forums. Participants will explore the role prescribed fire plays in maintaining the health, vitality and biodiversity of Indiana oak-hickory and grassland ecosystems.

• 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 at Upland Brewing, 350 W. 11th St., Bloomington.

• 9 to 11 a.m. April 13 at Griffy Lake (field tour), 3400 N. Headley Road, Bloomington.

• 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 at Upland Brewing, 148 Lindsey St., Columbus.

Whether you’re a forest landowner, conservationist or nature enthusiast, these events offer an opportunity to explore the intricate nature of prescribed fire as a stewardship practice. Come with questions and engage with experts who will share their knowledge, experiences and passion for this long-standing stewardship practice.

Find registration information at https://tinyurl.com/34xk894x.

Cottage Food Law

MARSHALL, Ill. — The Cottage Food Law Update will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 11 at the Clark County Extension office, 15493 IL-1, Marshall.

Learn about the Cottage Food Law and what you need to know about selling food made in your home kitchen.

Farmers Market Training

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Farmers Market Certificate Program virtual training for managers and vendors will be 6:30 p.m. ET Thursdays, April 11 to May 26.

Participants will learn how to navigate food safety regulations, understand legal issues of markets, improve market stability, offer food assistance programs and manage conflict.

Cost is $75. Register at https://cvent.me/QlRlPn. For questions, email Sarah Hanson at sspeedy@purdue.edu.

Gardenfest

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — Gardenfest — Ready, Set, Grow will be 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 at McHenry County College, 8900 Northwest Hwy, #14, Crystal Lake.

Explore the latest gardening trends, techniques, and tools during this series of seminars for gardeners of every skill level. Choose from five breakout presentations presented by industry experts.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3wpfkaxc.

Gardeners’ BIG Day

CANTON, Ill. — Gardeners’ BIG Day will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 13 at Spoon River College — Canton Campus, 23235 County Hwy. 22, Canton.

The event will include four breakout sessions and Gardening for Pollinators by keynote speaker Chris Enroth, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

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

Succulent Wreaths

DIXON, Ill. — Make and take home your own succulent wreath from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 13 at Sauk Valley Community College, Room 1C01, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Learn more about what succulents are, their biology, how to build your own wreath and how to care for it. This class is a great for individuals, groups or a family activity.

Tree Planting

ROSCOE, Ill. — The Winnebago County 4-H Tree Planting will be 10 a.m. to noon April 13 at Founders Park, 4562 Hononegah Road, Roscoe.

Winnebago County 4-H, Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District and Roscoe Township will plant 25 oak trees at Founders Park. Bring work gloves and shovels, and wear boots.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/27fkntxt.

Houseplant Swap

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — The Houseplant and Cutting Swap with Kane County Master Gardeners will be 11 a.m. to noon April 13 at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. 6th Ave., St. Charles.

Bring houseplants or plant cuttings to swap. For every plant or cutting you bring, you can go home with something new to grow.

Those who attend the Be Happy and Healthy with Houseplants session at 10 a.m. will receive a free plant cutting.

Calendar: Bug Bowl, Boiler Barnyard at Purdue Spring Fest