Calendar: Farmers offer cover crop insights

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Cover Crop Conversations: Farmer-to-Farmer Insights Across Illinois will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 22.

The free virtual panel discussion will feature farmers from northwest, west-central, and southern Illinois utilizing cover crops in their operations. Hear how they’ve incorporated cover crops on their farms, lessons learned, and how these practices fit into their goals for soil health, nutrient management, and profitability.

This event is part of a grant-funded initiative to distribute free cover crop seed to farmers with less than three years of cover crop experience in targeted counties within the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy priority watersheds. The cover crop program is done in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, with funding provided by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program.

Reach out to Rachel Curry, rccurry@illinois.edu; or Nicole Haverback, nlh@illinois.edu, to learn more about the program.

Know Your Woods

QUINCY, Ill. — The program Get to Know Your Woods will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 16 at the Adams County Extension office, 330 S. 36th St., Quincy.

This hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop is designed to help adult landowners make informed, confident decisions about their forested land.

In this interactive session, participants will learn how to:

• Set meaningful and achievable land management goals.

• Read and interpret maps and site data.

• Understand key site characteristics and why they matter.

• Practice forest measurement techniques like point sampling and tree diversity assessments.

• Explore practical strategies for land care, including timber stand improvement, invasive species control, and pruning.

Led by experienced forestry and land management professionals, this workshop offers a relaxed, supportive environment where you can ask questions, try new skills, and connect with others who care about their land.

Heart Smart Eating

CLINTON, Ill. — Heart Smart Eating will be 2 to 3 p.m. July 16 at the Neighborhood Care Center, 309 W. Main St., Clinton.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for U. S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes to lifestyle, including food choices, can improve symptoms like high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Participants will learn about the four categories of nutrients — sodium, fat, added sugar and fiber — and how each impacts heart health. Attendees will develop skills to support shopping and cooking heart-healthy meals.

Legacy Trees

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Legacy Trees will be 2 to 3 p.m. July 16.

Justin Vozzo, University of Illinois Extension forestry specialist will define a legacy tree and explore the history and benefits of some of the oldest trees on our Illinois landscape. He will discuss the ecological and cultural significance of these trees across both forested and urban settings, and explore how these trees can be managed to support and sustain the benefits they provide. Also covered will be programs and initiatives that advocate for these trees.

Sourdough Secrets

DWIGHT, Ill. — The program Unlock the Secrets of Sourdough will be 6 to 7 p.m. July 16 at the Prairie Creek Public Library, 501 Carriage House Lane, Dwight.

Gain a better understanding of the entire sourdough breadmaking process and leave with a list of resources to help you continue your breadmaking journey at home.

No registration required. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2u4nb2ek.

Moth Week

OTTAWA, Ill. — Insect Night Lighting to celebrate National Moth week will be 8 to 9:30 p.m. July 19 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa.

National Moth Week is an annual, global event that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the mothing hobby by sharing photos of moths they find for citizen science. Participants will learn about common moths found in Illinois, how to participate in the National Moth Week BioBlitz on the iNaturalist app, and engage in an insect night lighting activity.

This special evening program will offer attendees an exciting opportunity to delve into the hidden world of these often-overlooked, nocturnal creatures.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight and wear insect repellent. This program is suitable for all ages and no prior experience is necessary.

Dial Testing

The Pressure Canner Dial Testing Clinic will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 21 at the DeKalb County Extension office, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore.

Before using your pressure canner, have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Testing will ensure your pressure canner reaches the appropriate pressure needed to process low-acid foods, such as vegetables and meats, safely.

Over time, a pressure canner’s dial gauge will become inaccurate, resulting in either reading too high or too low. If the pressure gauge reads too high, it will lead to under-processing, resulting in unsafe foods. This is because the high temperature needed to destroy harmful microorganisms, such as the botulism toxin, can only be reached under pressure. If the dial gauge reads too low, your product will lose quality due to over-processing, and foods may become mushy.

Staff will inspect the lid, gasket and gauge for accuracy, and provide you with an assessment.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5cd33t83.

OSHA Basics

PEKIN, Ill. — OSHA Basics 101 will be 9 a.m. to noon July 21 at the Tazewell County Extension office, 1505 Valle Vista Blvd., Pekin.

Brian Bothast, OSHA safety and occupational health specialist, will present this free workshop geared to help small business owners prepare for and navigate any potential OSHA inquiries.

Topics covered include: 2025 national and regional emphasis programs; what to look for in an audit; avoiding fines; recordkeeping requirements; and hazard communication.

Canning Workshop

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A canning workshop will be 9 a.m. to noon July 22 at the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs office, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Suite 3, Champaign.

Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen will demonstrate skills to preserve your harvest and enjoy delicious homemade canned goods year-round. Participants will make their own jar of pickles.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/fe3r2p2d.

Nature Journaling

DECATUR, Ill. — Nature Journaling will be 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 22 at the Macon County Extension office, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon creating your own nature journal. The workshop will be led by Merry Lanker, a master naturalist/master gardener volunteer, who is also an art teacher. She will guide participants on how to create a unique journal. There will be light refreshments.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4z88e998.

NRCS Field Day

CHICAGO — Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Day will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 23 at DePaul College Prep, 3333 N. Rockwell St., Chicago.

Extension educators and farmer David Toledo will discuss soil stewardship and conservation practices implemented by Contemporary Farmer Inc. Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS soil conservationists for Cook County, will be on-site to meet farmers and answer questions about applying for reimbursement programs.

Reimbursable conservation practices related to soil health that are available to small-scale urban growers also will be discussed.

Charcuterie Board

SHERIDAN, Ill. — Learn how to build your own healthy summer charcuterie board from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 23 at the Robert Rowe Public Library, 120 E. Si Johnson Ave., Sheridan.

Susan Glassman, Illinois Extension nutrition & wellness educator, will discuss how to plan and build your own charcuterie board while serving it safely, and how to swap calories and fats, but not the flavor.

Participants will get a taste of charcuterie board foods with a summer theme.

Ewing Field Day

EWING, Ill. — The Ewing Agronomy Field Day will be 9 a.m. to noon July 24 at the Ewing Demonstration Center, 6132 N. Ewing Road, Ewing.

The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management practices for local growers.

Topics will include: Cover Crops for Forage and Livestock Feed, Travis Meeter, Extension beef specialist; Insect Management in Corn and Soybeans, Nick Seiter, Extension field crops entomologist; and Evaluating Best Management Practices on Yield, Erosion, and Nutrient Losses through Surface Runoff, Mariana Gomez-Botero, Ph.D. candidate, University of Illinois Crop Sciences.

The event is free, and lunch will be provided. Register by calling 618-439-3178, or visit https://tinyurl.com/hrehjkd6.

Clark County Field Day

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. — The Clark County Cattle, Pasture, Hay and Crops Field Day will be 9 a.m. to noon ET July 26 at High Steaks Farm, 3904 Bottorff Road, Charlestown.

Topics wll include: pasture management, cover crops as forage, hay quality, and managed grazing.

The event is free and includes lunch. RSVP by contacting the Clark County Extension office at 812-256-4591 or hlpotter@purdue.edu.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3pc6apxh.

Walnut Meeting

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Walnut Council Annual Meeting will be July 27-29 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7675 Walton St., Rockford.

The July 27 program includes dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a landowner show-and-tell where members share their successes and what they have learned.

July 28 will feature an all-day field tour starting at 8 a.m. at the Al Goetsch property in Beloit, Wisconsin, to learn and see demonstrations of hardwood forest and plantation management. The awards banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The July 29 program will begin at 8 a.m. with expert presentations, and roundtable discussions.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/uxn5ahmk.

Farmer Appreciation Luncheon

SALEM, Ind. — In honor of Washington County farmers, the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Purdue Extension, and Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting a free Farmer Appreciation Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET July 30 at the USDA Service Center, 801 Anson St., Salem.

All farm families are encouraged to come and enjoy a lunch of hamburgers, lamb brats, hot dogs, and the fixings. An ice cream dessert will be provided by Purdue Extension — Washington County.

Reservations are encouraged, but are not required, by calling 812-883-3006, ext. 3. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/jcj9zcfs.

IN Field Day

FAIRMOUNT, Ind. — North Central IN Field Day will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET July 31 at Richards Farms, 10360 S. Wheeling Pike, Fairmount.

Topics will include Corn Conservation, Tar Spot Update, Weed Update, UAVs, and Ag Outlook.

Coffee, doughnuts and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2jyv4732.