Calendar: Get into the holiday spirit at wreath workshop

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The Youth Holiday Wreath Workshop will be 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Get into the holiday spirit and use nature’s bounty to build a beautiful wreath. Natural materials such as fresh evergreens, foliage, pine cones, berries and more will be provided and are included in the $15 registration fee. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2fs3744d.

The program will be repeated:

• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2pn9vas9

• 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Jersey County Extension office, 201 W. Exchange St. Jerseyville. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4ny86wtf.

Autonomous Agriculture

URBANA, Ill. — The Safety for Emerging Robotics and Autonomous Agriculture Workshop will be 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Funk ACES Library, 1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana.

Interactive presentations from university and industry experts will explore the world of ag technology and safety. From robotic planting to driverless tractors and drones, these forms of technology are advancing quickly to find their place in today’s farming operations. Farmworker safety is a necessary piece to include in the ag technology puzzle.

On Dec. 4, there will be demonstrations of autonomous systems from 9 a.m. to noon at the Stock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana. Some technologies included in the demo include interacting with sensors and robotic platforms, and a preview of upcoming technologies.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/53wy6fnb.

Peoria Farm Show

PEORIA, Ill. — The Greater Peoria Farm Show will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria.

In addition to hundreds of exhibitors, Illinois Extension educators and University of Illinois faculty will be sharing informative presentations throughout each day.

There is no cost to attend, and parking in the Peoria Civic Center parking lots is free.

For more information, visit www.GreaterPeoriaFarmShow.com.

Evergreen Porch Pots

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Evergreen Porch Pots will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Participants will learn tips and tricks to turn container gardens into eye-appealing winter decorations. As part of the class, participants will use fresh evergreens and other festive items to make a decorative porch pot to take home with them.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mw7fc6tv.

The program will be repeated:

• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Lena Community Center, 497 Lions Drive, Lena. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mry2vj9k.

• 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Winnebago County Extension office, 1040 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4urxcsxh.

Tree Identification

CARLYLE, Ill. — Winter Tree Identification will be 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 4 at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, 795 Lake Road, Carlyle.

Identifying trees when they’ve already lost their leaves can be challenging. This program will use a combination of indoor presentation and outdoor field demonstration to highlight the characteristics, steps, and resources used to identify trees in winter.

Christmas Party

AUBURN, Ind. — The DeKalb County Homemakers Christmas Party will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 4 at 4-H Exhibit Hall, 708 S. Union St., Auburn.

Dinner provided by Dutch Heritage. “Alaska the Last Frontier” will be presented by Paul and Cheryl Thomas.

Cost is $15. RSVP by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5fx3af3n.

Holiday Party

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Holiday Party will be 6 to 8 p.m. CT Dec. 4 at 4-H Center Banquet Hall, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, Evansville.

For more information, contact Megan Hoffherr, 812-867-4935, mkron@purdue.edu.

Election Analysis

URBANA, Ill. — The online program U.S. Election Analysis: State and Local Considerations will be noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 5.

Explore how national politics under the new president and Congress might influence Illinois’ political landscape.

Participants will gain insights into the dramatic changes in Illinois politics over the past 25 years and understand the “new reality” for rural and downstate regions. Additionally, the discussion will cover how national politics under the new president and Congress might influence Illinois’ political landscape.

Stretching Food Dollars

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Stretching Your Food Dollar This Holiday Season will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5.

The holidays are upon us, and with them come many added expenses, including food costs. Food prices have steadily increased over the last five years, rising 28% due to multiple factors, such as increased labor and operating costs, transportation costs, and supply-chain disruptions. Rising food prices affect each of us, and finding helpful tips to save money while shopping can go a long way toward stretching your food dollars.

Discussed will be cost-saving tips to stretch your grocery dollars by shopping sales, making and sticking to your grocery list, and shopping in-season.

Carroll County PARP

FLORA, Ind. — The free Carroll County Private Applicator Recertification Program will be 8:30 a.m. to noon ET Dec. 6 at the 4-H Building, 102 N. Fourth St., Flora.

For more information and to register, contact Amy Webster, ag educator for Carroll and Clinton counties, at 574-967-3538, or awebster@purdue.edu.

Horse Judging

AUBURN, Ind. — DeKalb County Horse Judging will be 5:30 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 6 at the 4-H Exhibit Hall, 708 S. Jackson St., Auburn.

Horse judging will be held every Friday through May 2.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mtys9sby.

4-H Bake-off

INDIANAPOLIS — The 4-H Holiday Bake-off will be 5 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 9 at the at the Marion County Extension office, Indiana State Fairgrounds Discovery Hall, 1202 E. 38th St., Suite 201, Indianapolis.

The Holiday Bake-off is open to any current Marion County 4-H member. Entry categories will include Family Tradition, Family Heritage, Healthy Twist, and My Own Creation.

Overall winner will win a 4-H prize and the Holiday Bake-off “Giant Golden Spoon” to display for a year.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ykd4u75n or call the Extension office at 317-275-9035.

Estate Planning

SPENCER, Ind. — Strategies for Estate Planning will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Dec. 9 at the Owen County Extension office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Learn more about estate planning goals, the difference between wills and trusts, advance directives and their importance, and organizing your important documents.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrympevf or contact Jamie Jo Lowder, 812-829-5020, lowder0@purdue.edu.

Financial Essentials

FARMLAND, Ind. — The free Farm Financial Management Essentials Workshop will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Dec. 10 at the Davis Purdue Agricultural Center, 6230 SR-1, Farmland.

The workshop is designed to give farmers and agricultural business owners the tools needed to make sound financial decisions and enhance profitability. This workshop covers essential topics such as financial statements, balance sheets, measuring farm profitability, partial budgeting, and financial projections, all tailored for the unique challenges of the agricultural industry. Whether you’re a beginning farmer or looking to refine your financial strategies, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge to navigate today’s economic landscape effectively.

Participants must bring a laptop with Microsoft Excel. Lunch provided by First Bank of Berne.

Crops Conference

COVINGTON, Ind. — The Bi-State Crops Conference will be 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT Dec. 10 at the Beef House, 16501 IN-63, Covington.

Drawing knowledge from experts in Illinois and Indiana, this year’s lineup will include a panel of speakers covering topics from disease control to nutrient rates:

• Dr. Darcy Telenko, Purdue Extension field crop pathologist, “Field Crop Disease Update.”

• Dr. Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension soybean and small grains specialist, “Soybean Management Update.”

• Dr. John Jones, University of Illinois Extension soil fertility specialist, “Considering the Influence of Phosphorus and Potassium Nutrition on Optimum Corn Nitrogen Rates.”

• Joe Becovitz, pesticide program specialist, Office of the Indiana State Chemist, “Changes to Indiana Pesticide Laws.”

Cost is $30, which includes a meal. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5n7n3w9c.