Calendar: Barn Quilt Workshop in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Ill. — The Wayne County Barn Quilt Workshop will be 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Wayne County Extension office, 2B Frontier Drive, Fairfield.

Participants will dive into the art of creating their own barn quilt — a large, colorful painted quilt block typically displayed on barns or homes. Barn quilts are a wonderful blend of rural tradition and modern artistry, reflecting heritage and creativity in a unique and meaningful way. Whether you’re familiar with barn quilts or new to the craft, this workshop is designed to inspire and guide you through the entire process. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a beautiful, personalized barn quilt that reflects your style and creativity.

Bridging the Seasons

MINONK, Ill. — Bridging the Seasons: Fall to Winter and Winter Interest in Your Yard will be 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 2 at Minonk City Hall, 670 N. Chestnut St., Minonk.

Topics will include “Plants with Winter Interest,” presented by Bill Inks, AB Hatchery & Garden Center; and “Dried Flower Swags for Your Door,” presented by Woodford County master gardeners.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc2w3abs.

Childcare Conference

DIXON, Ill. — Childcare University Early Childhood Conference will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Childcare providers will experience a day of learning, networking and idea-sharing that will empower them to enhance the quality of care they provide to the children and families in their programs.

Information sessions will cover curriculum inclusivity, child health and safety, the impacts of technology, and engaging animal and agriculture lessons. Keynote speaker will be Jim Gill, an award-winning musician, author and child development specialist.

Cost is $40 and lunch is included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3ruchs3k.

Night Owl Prowl

FAIRBURY, Ill. — Night Owl Prowl presented by the Illinois Extension master naturalists and Prairie Lands Foundation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Fugate Woods Nature Preserve, 23150 E 1000 N Rd, Fairbury.

Scott Saffer, science educator and guide, will kick off the adventure with a reading from the children’s book “Owl Moon,” followed by a nighttime hike through Fugate Woods to listen for the calls of elusive owls.

Leadership Conference

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 4-H Junior Leadership Conference will be 11 a.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 at Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., Springfield.

JLC is a fun-filled event that provides junior high 4-H members a look into opportunities in Illinois 4-H and helps start their leadership journey. Members gain skills related to 4-H projects and leadership, such as communication, decision-making, and teamwork while engaging in hands-on activities.

Cost is $200 and includes lodging, T-shirt, meals, conference supplies and activities.

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

Horse & Pony Club Banquet

AUBURN, Ind. — The DeKalb County Horse & Pony Club Banquet will be 1 to 2 p.m. ET Nov. 3 at 4-H Exhibit Hall, 708 S. Union St., Auburn.

For more information, contact Mandy Dale at 260-908-3371 or dekalb4hhorseandpony@gmail.com.

4-H Open House

CHRISNEY, Ind. — The Spencer County 4-H Open House will be 3 to 5 p.m. ET Nov. 3 at the Spencer County Youth & Community Center, 1101 E CR 800 N, Chrisney.

Club leaders and volunteers will have examples of 4-H projects and 4-H junior leaders will share a fun activity. Extension staff will be on hand to assist with registration. Ice cream sundaes will be available.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/53ma5cu8 or contact Jennifer Mayo at 812-362-8066, allen393@purdue.edu.

Composting Program

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Getting Started with Composting will be 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 4 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Composting food scraps and yard waste is a positive alternative to sending the waste to the landfill or down your garbage disposal, and the results of composting provide a nutrient-rich material that can be added to gardens. Extension Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger will discuss how to get started with composting.

Pruning Basics

OTTAWA, Ill. — Pruning Basics will be 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal St., Ottawa.

Pruning may seem a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. Learn about pruning basics, including tools, tips, timing, and techniques for pruning trees and shrubs in your yard.

Embrace Your Mess

AUBURN, Ind. — Art 101: Embracing Your Creative Mess will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Mondays, Nov. 4-25, at Parks & Recreation, 1500 S. Cedar St., Auburn.

Embrace your creative mess and create a framed work of art. For grades 6-12. Adults are welcome.

Cost is $20 and includes all four sessions. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3f9n7web.

Farmland Rental Workshop

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — The Farmland Rental in Indiana Workshop will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Nov. 4 at the Putnam County Extension office, 12 Central Square, Greencastle.

During this program, participants will learn about farmland property taxes and farmland leasing.

Preserve It Now

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Preserve It Now...Enjoy It Later will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT Nov. 5 at the Lake County Extension office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Learn the basics of boiling water bath canning this hands-on workshop. This workshop will focus on the preservation of jam and jelly products. Participants will prepare and process a recipe to take home after the workshop.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yvzxwds5.

For more information, contact Linda Curley, 219-755-3240, lcurley@purdue.edu.

4-H Money Savvy

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — 4-H Money Savvy will be 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

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

This workshop is free and open to youth ages 12-18. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4fs8jk6b.

Curb the Urge

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Curb Your Urge to Splurge — Holiday Edition will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Putnam County Extension office, 12 Central Square, Greencastle.

The program will help participants:

• Identify holiday marketing strategies.

• Define your holiday goals.

• Identify holiday needs and wants.

• Create a plan for holiday spending.

• Review consequences of overspending.

To register, call 765-653-8411. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ysrdtdts.

Spices and Herbs

URBANA, Ill. — Learn more about spices and herbs and how to incorporate them into your diet in the Autumn Health Picks webinar, noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 6.

Enhance your culinary skills with a presentation that will broaden your understanding of global spices and herbs and discover how to seamlessly incorporate them into your diet.

Indoor Gardens

PERU, Ill. — Indoor Edible Gardens will be 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Peru Public Library, 1409 11th St., Peru.

Gardening is not limited to outside in the summer. The Edible Indoor Garden program will demonstrate how to grow your own fresh herbs and salad greens any time of the year.

Fisheries Workshop

PORTAGE, Ind. — The Lake Michigan Fisheries Workshop will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. CT Nov. 6 at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion, 100 Riverwalk Drive, Portage.

The workshop will include the latest information on fish biology, ecology, and fisheries science happening in Lake Michigan. Topics will include: recent trends in yellow perch and perch fishery in Indiana, alewife recruitment in Lake Michigan and an update from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

The workshop is presented by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, Purdue Extension, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the National Park Service.

Water Management

MAHOMET, Ill. — The Integrated Water Management for Landowners and Farmers Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 at Farm Credit Illinois Regional Office, 1100 Farm Credit Drive, Mahomet.

A lack of water drainage and soil conservation practices in agricultural operations can weigh heavily on overall farm profitability and sustainability over time if not managed. Management starts with understanding field conditions, options to fit specific field needs, and having resources to turn to when it is time to make change.

Workshop attendees will spend two days learning through research updates, networking with University of Illinois crop researchers and Extension staff, exploring resources, and being part of the discussions mapping the future impacts of agricultural water management.

Presentation topics include the basics of integrated water management, soil drainage, conservation, nutrient loss reduction strategy, surface runoff, and erosion.

Cost is $15 and includes lunch both days. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdf6ta48.

Nutrient Management

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Nutrient Management Workshop will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Nov. 7 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Participants will walk through the steps of writing basic nutrient management plans for their crop or livestock operations. Covered will be basic soil health principles and nutrient cycles, and manure sampling and analyses.

The $20 registration includes materials, a manure sampling kit, a printed copy of the “Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa” and lunch. Participants will earn credits for PARP, Commercial Applicator Category 14 license renewal, and Certified Crop Advisor credits.

Holiday Cooking

HOOPESTON, Ill. — Holiday Cooking: Making the Holidays Healthier will be 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Hoopeston Public Library, 110 N. 4th St., Hoopeston.

Discover how to transform your favorite festive dishes into nutritious, flavorful creations. From lightened-up classics to innovative new recipes, you’ll learn how to make the holidays healthier without sacrificing taste. Perfect for anyone looking to celebrate the season while staying on track with their wellness goals.

Simmer Up to Soup

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Simmer Up to Soup will be 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at Green Top Grocery, 921 E. Washington St., Bloomington.

A bowl of homemade soup on a cold winter day can be a comforting meal. Learn about the many types of soup and ways to make them healthy and flavorful. Participants will receive a packet of recipes and taste test a hearty bowl of soup.

Childcare Summit

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Wabash Heartland Region Childcare Summit will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Nov. 9 at the River City Community Center, 2842 Old U.S. 231, Lafayette.

This event is open to childcare providers in Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties. Providers from outside the region are welcome, though the focus will be on improving the childcare system within these seven counties.

Summit highlights include:

• Interactive sessions on policy, education, business operations, behavior management and funding.

• Expert panel discussions.

• Networking opportunities with regional childcare stakeholders.

• State agency vendors.

• Free childcare for children ages 5 and under during the event, provided by Bauer.

• Special guest: Jim Gill, presenting on “Promote Readiness, Literacy, Math Development, and Inclusion Through Active Music Play.”

Professional development training hours and limited stipends will be offered to providers from the Wabash Heartland region.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2p8ywc85.

Cultural Connections

FARMER CITY, Ill. — Cultural Connections: Beadwork Edition will be 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at Farmer City Public Library, 109 E. Green St., Farmer City.

Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by exploring the cultural significance of beadwork in Native American traditions and create a beadwork project to take home and display.

There is no charge for this workshop, which is open to ages 8 to 18. Membership in 4-H is not required. Register at https://tinyurl.com/46rmsrh2.

Lake County Awards

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The Lake County Awards and Recognition Event 2024 will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Lake Counthy Extension office, 100 S. Hwy. 45, Grayslake.

4-H members will be honored for livestock records, experience awards, officer recognition, Cloverbud participation, state-level awards, and volunteer recognition.

Refreshments will be served. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5n79keaa.

Christmas Bird Count

MARION, Ill. — The Christmas Bird Count Workshop will be 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 8588 IL-148, Marion.

The workshop will include information on National Audubon Policies, and local count circles. Attendance is recommended for first-time CBC volunteers.

Other workshops will be Nov. 13 at Rend Lake Project Visitor Center, 11981 Rend City Road, Benton; Nov. 14 at Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Road, Makanda; and Nov. 15 at Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/4zr5ybbd.