URBANA, Ill. — Beyond the Beauty: The Global Impact of Sunflowers will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 20.

To gardeners, sunflowers are known for their beauty, but they are not just another pretty face. Explore the impact sunflowers have on the global food market and their potential to help contaminated lands recover from industrial use.

Register for this online program at https://tinyurl.com/3ha46wfc.

Beef, Swine Workshop

LAOTTO, Ind. — The 4-H Beef, Dairy Beef and Swine Workshop will be 9 to 11 a.m. ET June 17 at Cedar Creek Meats, 205 N. Main St., LaOtto. The tour will take 4-H members through the complete butcher process from farm to table. Participants will be shown the packaging process, go on a smokehouse tour, and tour the retail store display area. This workshop will be for credit towards beef, dairy beef and swine projects. Register at https://tinyurl.com/22zakcsk.

Jam Class

OGLESBY, Ill. — The Fill Your Pantry Strawberry Jam Class will be 9 a.m. to noon June 17 at the Illinois Valley Community College, Culinary Kitchen, Room CTC - 123, 815 N. Orlando Smith St., Oglesby.

Gain experience for canning at home, learn how to safely freeze and use a water bath canner, and process strawberry jams. Participants will try samples in class and take home jams they made in class.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3z9kmws4.

Food Foraging

DUBOIS, Ind. — The program Foraging for Connection will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET June 17 on forestry property at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road, Dubois.

In modern times, we have all but forgotten that in our everyday landscapes, we are surrounded by healthy, biodiverse foods in the form of seasonally edible plants and animals.

There will be a presentation about safety guidelines for foraging in the woods followed by a walk through the woods, finding and sampling good things nature provides.

To register, call the library at 812-678-2548. For more information, email Anita Murphy, amurphy@jdcpl.us.

Garden Tour

STONINGTON, Ill. — Tour gardens of Tim and Lynnae Armstrong in Stonington from 2 to 4 p.m. June 17. The gardens feature a collection of unique trees and plants.

Register for the free tour at https://tinyurl.com/3yapxymf.

Forestry Training

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — The Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute will be June 19-23 at the Forestry Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville. The professional development workshop will bring 18 teachers from across the state to Morgan-Monroe State Forest to see firsthand how forestry works in Indiana. Sessions will include tours of public and private forest lands, forest industry facilities, and forestry research in Indiana.

The institute aims to provide Indiana teachers with knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology and forest management practices. The forest environment becomes the basis for integrating the learning of many subject areas, including environmental science, biology, natural resources, and social science. STEM concepts and principles will be incorporated throughout the sessions. The program empowers teachers to foster conceptual learning, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in their classrooms.

The Institute will begin at 1 p.m. ET June 19 and conclude at noon June 23. Teachers will stay in the training center, sharing one of the 10 sleeping rooms. Meals will be provided.

There is no cost for participants. Those accepted will be required to pay a $50 deposit which will be refunded at the end of the program.

Participants will receive a stipend when documentation is provided that they have implemented their curriculum project with their students.

For registration and more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/27455tk2.

Diggin’ the Dirt

SYCAMORE, Ill. — The Diggin’ the Dirt Junior Master Gardener program will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at Dolce Vita Community Garden, 2475 Bethany Road, Sycamore.

Youth ages 9-12 will learn about soil, worms, seeds and ecology. Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3r2btv6r.

4-H Food Show

ALBION, Ill. — The 4-H Food Show will be 5 to 7 p.m. June 19 at COUNTRY Financial Hall, 90 W. Pine St., Albion.

Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and judging will begin at 5:30 p.m.. This event is open to the public.

Perennial Flowers

DANVILLE, Ill. — The program Perennial Flowers will be 6 to 7 p.m. June 20 at the Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

Perennials offer seasonal color, texture, height and save money by returning each year. They can provide visual interest throughout the year and draw pollinators to your landscape including bees and hummingbirds. However, a perennial garden is not maintenance free. Some perform better with regular watering, fertilizer and a side dressing of compost. Others thrive on neglect. Many will grow, multiply and change over time. Dividing perennials is an inexpensive way for gardeners to gain more plants.

Register for this free program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/35629hf2.

State Contest

URBANA, Ill. — The State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest will begin at 10 a.m. June 20 at the U of I Stock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana.

There will be three classes of beef, three classes of swine and two classes of sheep. In addition, a class of meat goats (market or breeding class) may be substituted for any one class of the other three species.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2wy525b8. Register at https://go.illinois.edu/4-Hlivestockjudgingcontest.

Garden with 4-H

DECATUR, Ill. — Tuesdays at the Garden with 4-H will be 9 to 10 a.m. June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18 and Aug. 8 at the Crossing Healthcare Garden, 320 Central Ave., Decatur.

Youth ages 8 to 13 will spend the first part of the hour completing an activity with 4-H, then they will work with master gardeners in the garden.

For more information, contact Ben Steele at 217-877-6042 or bsteele2@illinois.edu.

ServSafe Training

MONROE, Ind. — The ServSafe Food Handler course will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 21 at the Adams County Fairgrounds, Conference Room, 160 W. Washington St., Monroe.

The course is for anyone who needs basic food safety and food handling training, including home-based vendors, foodservice workers, volunteers, or others who work with food who only need the basic training. This course is not intended for foodservice managers. To obtain your foodservice manager certification, you must take the ServSafe Food Protection Manager course and exam.

ServSafe Food Handler training focuses on basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens, time and temperature, and cleaning and sanitation. The half-day training includes a booklet and assessment. The Certificate of Achievement is valid for three years.

Cost is $40. Register at https://cvent.me/rKvogQ.

Invasives Training

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management is offering invasives training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT June 21 at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, 450 W 100 N, Valparaiso.

Species being covered include fountain grass and Chinese silver grass, poison hemlock and wild parsnip, European cranberry, rose of Sharon, mugwort, white mulberry, Siberian elm, winged burning bush, spindle tree, and roundleaf bittersweet.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/54ar6dry.

Eating Well

PANA, Ill. — The program Eating Well As You Age will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 21 at LiveWell Fitness, 101 E .9th St., Pana.

Did you know the nutrients your body needs change as you age? Learn about how food and chronic disease are related; participate in some fun, hands-on activities; and taste test food.

Register by calling 217-562-6231.

Producers Meeting

PEORIA, Ill. — The Regional Food Council Growers and Producers Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. June 21 at the Peoria County Extension office, 4810 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria.

Join the Regional Food Council for a conversation about local food opportunities available to growers and producers. A panel of farmers and producers that sell to institutions will explain how the process has worked for them.

A networking event to connect growers and producers will begin at 10:30 a.m.

RSVP to Rebecca Crumrine, racrumi@illinois.edu or Rebecca Cottrell, rcottrell@peoriacounty.org.

Growing Veggies

AMBOY, Ill. — The program Growing Veggies Through the Seasons will be 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 22 at the Lee County Extension office, 280 W. Wasson Road, Amboy.

Get the most out of your garden by planning, planting, and maintaining for the 2023 season broken down by spring, summer, and fall.

The program is part of the Growing Horticulture in Northwest Illinois series. Register at https://tinyurl.com/39jefytv.

Weathering the Storm

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. — The program Weathering the Storm will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson County Extension office, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

Family Life Educator Robin Ridgley leads the program, and she will share resources on handling stress for a more productive mindset on the farm.

Register for this free program by visiting go.illinois.edu/WeatheringTheStorm or call 618-687-1727.

Garden Tour

MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Madison County Garden Tour will be 4 to 8 p.m. June 23, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24.

Gardens in the Maryville and Glen Carbon areas will be featured. Tickets are $13; children 10 and under are free.

Ticket sales and raffles are available on site during the Garden Tour at Drost Park, 8 Schiber Court, Maryville. Tickets also will be available at the Extension office, 1606 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville; Joe’s Market Basket, 447 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville; Joe’s Market Basket, 801 Sherbourne Ave., Troy; and Creekside Gardens, 721 Johnson Hill Road, Collinsville.

Your ticket is required at each garden. Garden addresses will be included on your ticket. This is a self-guided tour. Tour the gardens at your leisure, in any order you prefer.

For more information, call the Extension office at 618-344-4230.

Garden Walk

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — The Whitley County Master Gardeners Garden Walk will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET June 24. The self-directed stroll will feature gardens in Columbia City, including Giving Gardens of Indiana, 479 Towerview Drive.

Cost is $10. For more information and tickets, call the Extension office at 260-244-7615.

Wayne County Fair

RICHMOND, Ind. — Wayne County 4-H Fair, June 17-24, 861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond, Ind.; www.wayneco4hfair.com; sandyhouse1@yahoo.com; 765-489-5559.

Washington County Fair

SALEM, Ind. — Washington County Fair, June 17-25, 118 N. Fair St., Salem, Ind.; https://tinyurl.com/mmd3btcj; 812-883-5440.

Jasper County Fair

NEWTON, Ill. — Jasper County Fair, June 18-24, 1300 Fairground Ave., Newton, Ill.; www.jaspercofairnewtonillinois.org; 618-783-3901.

Grant County Fair

MARION, Ind. — Grant County Fair, June 18-24, 1403 E. SR 18, Marion, Ind.; www.grantcountyinfair.com; info@grantcountyinfair.com; 765-664-0343.

Miami County Fair

PERU, Ind. — Miami County 4-H Fair, June 18-24, 1029 W 200 N, Peru, Ind.; www.miamicounty4hfair.com; info@miamicounty4hfair.com; 765-473-9656.

Dearborn County Fair

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. — Dearborn County Fair, June 19-23, 351 E Eads Pkwy., Lawrenceburg, Ind.; www.dearborncountyfair.com; dearborncountyfair@yahoo.com; 812-926-1189.

Allen County Fair

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Allen County Fair, June 20-25, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, Ind.; www.allencountyfairgroundsin.com; allencountyfairgroundsin@comcast.net; 260-449-4444.

Henry County Fair

CAMBRIDGE, Ill. — Henry County Fair, June 20-25, 311 E. North St., Cambridge, Ill.; www.henrycountyfairillinois.com; 309-937-3391.

Montgomery County Fair

BUTLER, Ill. — Montgomery County Fair, June 21-25, 300 Water St., Butler, Ill.; www.facebook.com/fair.montgomerycoil; fair.montgomerycoil@yahoo.com; 217-324-5829; 217-532-2440.

Western Illinois Fair

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Western Illinois Fair, June 22-26, 516 S. Oak St., Griggsville, Ill.; www.westernillinoisfair.com; info@westernillinoisfair.com; 217-833-2116.

Moultrie-Sullivan Junior Fair

SULLIVAN, Ill. — Moultrie-Sullivan Junior Fair, June 23-24, 4-H Center, 1400 N CR 1500 E, Sullivan, Ill.; moultriesullivanfair.com; 217-549-0831.

Hancock County Fair

GREENFIELD, Ind. — Hancock County 4-H Fair, June 23-30, 620 N. Apple St., Greenfield, Ind.; www.yourhancockfairgrounds.com; 317-462-1469.

Bartholomew County Fair

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Fair, June 23-July 1, 750 W 200 S, Columbus, Ind.; www.bartholomewcountyfair.com; office@bartholomewcountyfair.com; 812-372-6133.

Ohio County Fair

RISING SUN, Ind. — Ohio County 4-H Fair, June 23-July 1, 412 Main St., Rising Sun, Ind.; 812-438-3656.