Calendar: 4-H Gingerbread Cookie Creations workshop

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The 4-H Gingerbread Cookie Creations workshop will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 11 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Participants will create festive, hand-crafted gingerbread creations while learning the science behind baking the perfect cookie.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 260-481-6826. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ye29nhdz.

Evergreen Wreaths

MONTICELLO, Ill. — DeWitt and Piatt County master gardeners will present the program Evergreen Wreaths, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the First Presbyterian Church, 214 S. Charter St., Monticello.

Learn about types of evergreens, how to create an evergreen wreath, and how to incorporate decorative elements into the wreath. Participants will make a wreath to take home.

The program will be repeated 6 to 7 :30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Outreach, 701 E. Clinton Ave., Farmer City.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3ypkedtt.

Embroidery Workshop

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The Simple Embroidery Workshop will be 6 to 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Rebekah Cloninger will demonstrate basic techniques and youth participants will create their own needlepoint project.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2zb4wn9u.

Money Savvy

HILLSBORO, Ill. — 4-H Money Savvy will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

4-H is partnering with CNB Bank & Trust to help youth navigate the world of financial responsibility. Participants ages 13 to 18 will learn money facts, habits, and the differences between needs and wants.

Clutter Free

SPENCER, Ind. — The program Empower Me to Be Clutter Free will be 2 to 3 p.m. ET Dec. 10 at the Owen County Extension office, 180 S. Washington St., Spencer.

Dealing with your own clutter may seem like an overwhelming task, but creating order in your living space will bring some order to other areas of your life, as well.

Iris Paper Folding

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Allen County Homemakers will host the Iris Paper Folding program, 6 to 7 p.m. ET Dec. 10 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Instructor Judy Brown will demonstrate the paper craft technique and participants will create a beautiful iris folding paper design. Costs is $5.

Happy Hacks

CHENOA, Ill. — The program Happy Hacks will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Chenoa Public Library, 230 Green St., Chenoa.

Participants will learn about the common barriers to positivity and personal well-being and find out more about simple, science-backed principles and practices — “happy hacks” — to boost positivity, productivity, mood and attitude.

To register, call the Chenoa Public Library at 815-945-4253.

Floral Arrangement

DANVILLE, Ill. — Holiday Floral Arrangement will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

Master Gardener Chris Fitzsimmons will guide participants in creating an arrangement using fresh red roses, white daisies or carnations, baby’s breath, green carnations, lush greens, festive ribbon, and accents like pine cones and floral foam.

Cost is $20 and all supplies are included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ht89vfpx.

Planning Farm Succession

GALESBURG, Ill. — The program Planning Farm Succession: How to Avoid Pitfalls and Conflict will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Knox Ag Center, 180 S. Soangetaha Road, Galesburg.

Planning for the future of your farm isn’t just about crops and livestock; it’s about ensuring your legacy and protecting the values your farm represents.

Led by Extension Educator Kevin Brooks, this interactive workshop will equip farmers and landowners with the essential knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about their property’s future. Attendees will gain valuable insight on:

• Developing a comprehensive estate plan: Understanding legal documents, land transfer options, and strategies for asset allocation.

• Tax implications and financial planning: Exploring tax benefits, minimizing liabilities, and ensuring financial stability for future generations.

• Family communication and succession planning: Facilitating open conversations with family members, identifying potential conflicts, and establishing a smooth transition process.

• Building a resilient farm business: Incorporating farm management practices and financial strategies to strengthen the farm’s long-term viability.

This free program is open to all farmers, landowners and agricultural professionals.

The program will be repeated 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the McDonough County Fairgrounds, 3022 W. Jackson St., Macomb.

Hearty Soups

RANTOUL, Ill. — Learn how to make delicious and nutritious meals that are easy on your wallet in the Hearty Soups and Stews program, 1 to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Rantoul Public Library, 106 W. Flessner Ave., Rantoul.

Soup is nutritious, affordable and a comforting way to enjoy a meal. In this class, participants will learn how to prepare heartwarming soups low in sodium and fat but packed with flavor, and how to make soups in electric pressure cookers.

Handouts and recipes will be provided to recreate these delicious soups at home.

Balance Sheets

CHICAGO — The online program Digging Deep into Data: Using Balance Sheets for Farm Planning and Decision-making will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11.

Learn how balance sheets can benefit your farm business planning and how they can be used for forecasting and decision-making.

The virtual session will be followed by an in-person work session, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Extension office, 8753 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago. Bring your laptop and farm data for this day-long work session guided by Sarah Hoerner of Compeer Financial. The Cook County Local Food Systems and Small Farm team will be on hand for one-on-one coaching. Lunch will be provided for the in-person session, and everyone who attends will receive a copy of Fearless Farm Finances. You must have attended the virtual session in order to attend the in-person session.

Indiana R-STEP

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Indiana R-STEP Kickoff Webinar will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET Dec. 12.

The Indiana R-STEP program, led by Purdue Extension Community Development, was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for the R-STEP program. As Indiana moves toward more diverse electricity generation, this collaborative serves as a vital technical resource and community engagement hub to support communities in understanding and implementing utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Through partnerships with key organizations, Indiana R-STEP provides comprehensive support for renewable energy planning through online resources, peer-to-peer networking, educational events, and research products. In this webinar, Kara Salazar, Tamara Ogle, and Kayla Wright will share how the collaborative can assist communities in utility-scale renewable energy planning and decision-making and upcoming projects for 2025.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/42ytkdtu. For questions, contact Daniel Walker at 765-215-1534.

New Technology

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Bridging the Gap: Technology Adoption in Smallholder Farms will be 11 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12.

Gregory Bernard, assistant professor, plant and soil science, Tuskegee University, will explore practical solutions and case studies of successful technology integration in small-scale farming operations. Attendees will learn about the barriers to adoption and strategies to overcome them.

Holiday Appetizers

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — Holiday Appetizers: Entertaining the Healthy Way will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the First Baptist Church, 200 W. Pearl St., Jerseyville.

Participants will learn about:

• Appetizer basics: Discover what makes an appetizer the perfect start to any meal and how to plan the right amount for your guest list.

• Fresh ideas: Get creative with a variety of appetizers that focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring a burst of flavor and nutrition in every bite.

• Healthy holiday tips: Learn practical tips for making healthier choices during the holidays without sacrificing taste or tradition.

Participants will create, taste, and take home recipes.

Register by calling Jerseyville Public Library at 618-498-9514. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/49vxz47y.

Gift Wrapping Basics

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — 4-H Gift Wrapping Basics will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Dec. 12 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Participants in grade third through 12th will be shown how to turn every present into a beautifully wrapped masterpiece.

Cost is $3. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2vnjmh74.

Making Jam

MARSHALL, Ill. — A Jam-making program will be 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Clark County Extension office, 15493 IL-1, Marshall.

U of I Extension Educator Mary Liz Wright will lead participants step by step through the jam-making process. Participants will make a jar of cranberry conserve to take home while learning the most up-to-date and safe canning methods.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2pr4jbrv.

Wellness Fair

MOLINE, Ill. — The Nutrition and Wellness Fair will be 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at South Park Mall inside Quiet Strength, 4500 16th St., Moline.

This family-friendly event offers hands-on activities, taste tests, physical activities and more, all designed to make wellness education fun and accessible. Participants will explore Illinois Extension and SNAP-Ed resources, try new foods, and discover ways to support healthier living.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4hv98vcj.

Market Ready

DANVILLE, Ind. — Market Ready Producer Training will be 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Dec. 13 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville.

Market Ready is a program that helps local food producers prepare for selling wholesale markets. Producers will learn about product quality, food safety, insurance/managing risks, and marketing.

Cost is $50, and lunch is included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/47zbaz4a.

4-H Maker’s Market

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Find your perfect handmade holiday gift at the 4-H Maker’s Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET Dec. 14 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Purchase handmade jewelry, 3-D computer crafts and more made by Allen County 4-H members; grab a cup of cocoa; and take your picture with Santa.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5f9m66a9.

Nature Walk

OTTAWA, Ill. — The Winter Nature Walk will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa.

Explore the beauty of nature and learn how to identify trees in the winter. Hot cocoa and a special holiday craft will be provided by La Salle County 4-H.