FREEPORT, Ill. — Morrow Plots and Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project Event will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 11 at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St., Freeport.

Andrew Margenot, University of Illinois associate professor of soil science and director of the Morrow Plots, will discuss the inception of the Morrow Plots, the oldest experimental agricultural field in the United States. He will discuss how these plots have evolved over the years and how the university has adapted its campus to preserve this vital resource.

In addition to the Morrow Plots, Margenot will share insights into the Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project. This project has significantly impacted Illinois agriculture, providing valuable data for researchers and farmers. Also, he will share an update about the new Alma Mater Plots, which will research soil management practices.

Cost is $30 and includes a meal. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bddu96nv.

Annual Meeting

SALEM, Ind. — The Washington County Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. ET March 6 at Southern Hills Church, State Rd. 135 S, Salem.

Anyone interested in the beef industry is invited to the annual meeting and to join the organization. Annual membership dues for the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association are $20 per household. Dues may be paid at the meeting or by contacting the Extension office.

STEM Showcase

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana 4-H STEM Showcase will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8 at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W Washington St., Indianapolis.

The event will include interactive activity stations, 4-H robotics and inventions. Learn how to explore STEM through Indiana 4-H programs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/zz57yu8k.

Youth Art Gala

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Northeast Indiana Youth Art Gala will be 1 to 4 p.m. ET March 8 at Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Whether you are new to art, an amateur artist, or aim to be a professional artist, a great way to build your portfolio is to exhibit art to your peers and professionals in the industry. The goal is to give youth the skills and knowledge on how to pursue a career in the art world. Prizes will be awarded to the top artists and groups in each category.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/4db5rwr7.

Healthy Cents

RUSHVILLE, Ill. — Healthy Cents will be 10 to 11 a.m. March 10 at the Schuyler County Extension office, 710 Maple Ave., Rushville.

Healthy Cents is an educational program designed to help adults learn how to make healthy food choices for themselves and their families on a limited budget. Participants develop skills to make healthy, low-cost meals and snacks while learning strategies for budgeting, menu planning, and shopping, all built on the foundation of MyPlate nutritional guidelines.

This workshop will focus on what healthy food is and how you can afford it. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5espnnyp.

Refresh Your Home

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The online program Refresh Your Home on a Budget will be 6 to 7 p.m. ET March 10.

Joanne Thatcher, interior designer and owner of Elite Interiors in Van Wert, Ohio, will present ideas on how to make simple changes in your home in order to make it feel fresh and new again.

To register, call the Allen County Extension office at 260-481-6826. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4c77mux5.

Sew Days

AUBURN, Ind. — DeKalb County Extension Homemakers Sew Days will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET March 11 at the DeKalb County Office Building, 215 E. 9th St., Auburn.

Bring a covered dish, and enjoy the day with great food and company, doing something you’ll love. No sewing experience needed.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n6waf8n.

Phosphorus and Potassium

FREEPORT, Ill. — The Phosphorus and Potassium Omission Trials Information Session will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. p.m. March 11 at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St., Freeport.

Phosphorus and Potassium Omission Trials are being conducted statewide by the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences Soils Lab. This session will feature researcher Dr. Andrew Margenot, who will discuss the ongoing study in collaboration with KSI Laboratories.

As part of a project funded by the Nutrient Research and Education Council, this research aims to provide critical updates to soil test values for phosphorus and potassium, as outlined in the Illinois Agronomy Handbook. These updates are essential for optimizing crop nutrition and enhancing farming practices across the state.

The session will focus on the specific requirements for participating in the field trials and will detail what the researchers are looking for in potential cooperators. This is a unique opportunity to learn how your farm may fit into this vital on-farm trial.

Interested farmers and agricultural professionals will learn how they can contribute to this significant study.

The program will be repeated 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 12 at the La Salle County Farm Bureau, 1691 N 31st Rd, Ottawa. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3nyfd4fb.

Bull Evaluation

SALEM, Ind. — The Washington County Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation Clinic will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET March 12 at DC Cattle, 1025 S. Orchard Road, Salem.

Evaluation of bulls for breeding soundness is one of the most neglected management practices of Indiana’s cattle producers. A bull is expected to breed 20 to 50 cows during the breeding season and too often his ability to do so is taken for granted.

The evaluation should be done prior to the breeding season. Breeding problems that are discovered at pregnancy checking occur far too late to prevent substantial loss of income. Breeders who sell bulls should have them evaluated prior to sale. Bull suppliers depend largely on repeat customers and selling an infertile bull may cost the breeder a good customer as well as create a lot of bad advertisement.

The BSE includes an evaluation of structural soundness, evaluation of the reproductive anatomy, and evaluation of semen quality. During the BSE, a semen sample is collected and evaluated immediately for percent motile sperm. Minimally, 30% of the sperm must be motile in order for the bull to pass the exam. The same sample is then stained and individual sperm are evaluated. Seventy percent of the cells must be normal microscopically for the bull to be an acceptable breeder.

The evaluation charge is $50 per bull. Bulls must be at least one year old and weigh at least 900 pounds. For reservations, contact Danielle Walker at 812-883-4601 or dhowellw@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc36bk28.

Pruning Demonstration

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — A tree pruning demonstration will be 11 a.m. to noon March 12 at the Schweikher House, 645 Meacham Road, Schaumburg.

Learn the best techniques for shaping young fruit trees. See pruning cuts up close and try your hand at pruning.

Cooking with an Air Fryer

WELDON, Ill. — Hot and Fast: Cooking with an Air Fryer will be 10 to 11 a.m. March 12 at the Weldon Library, 505 Maple St., Weldon.

Air fryers are a popular kitchen countertop appliance that are easy to use, energy-efficient, cook a variety of foods, and clean up easily. Learn how to prepare tasty foods without the excess fats.

Beginning Farmer

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Beginning Farmer program will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesdays, March 12-April 23 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Interested in starting a farm but unsure of how to get started or where you can find help? Are you already a farmer but eager to enhance and refine your goals and objectives and identify resources for assistance? The Beginning Farmer program can help put you on a path to success.

• Address the realities of starting a farm.

• Assess your farming assets.

• Define realistic goals.

• Create feasible plans to achieve your goals.

• Develop a network of agencies and organizations to help you achieve success.

The program includes seven in-person sessions with individual work to complete between sessions. Participants will emerge with a clear perspective on planning farm projects and moving forward with confidence.

The program is offered to beginning farmers with farms of any size, but the typical audience tends to be those with smaller farms, those with urban farms, and people wanting to launch a farm that includes direct-to-consumer sales.

To register and for more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3u7y7x94.

Crop Day

SAINT MEINRAD, Ind. — Perry-Spencer Crop Day will be 5:15 to 9 p.m. CT March 13 at the Saint Meinrad Community Center, 13150 E County Rd 1950 N, Saint Meinrad.

Sponsor displays open at 5:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., and speakers at 6:45 p.m.

Speaker topics will include:

• 2025 Weed Management: Tools and Tips for Success, Tommy Butts, professor, site-specific weed management, Purdue University.

• UAVs for Application: A Producer’s Perspective, Joseph Kern, local farmer and certified aerial applicator.

• 2025 Pesticide Regulatory Update, Nicholas Held, Purdue Extension — Spencer County.

Cost is $5 per person, and includes meal. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4nak9e4p.

Garden Day

LINCOLN, Ill. — Russel Allen Garden Day will be 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at the Oasis Senior Center, 2810 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln.

Speaker topics will include Growing Microgreens, Herbs, and Spring Vegetable Gardening.

Cost is $12. Register at https://tinyurl.com/veyjys7r. For more information, call 217-732-8289.

Gardener’s Day

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Gardener’s Day will be 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at the Morgan County Extension office, 104 N. Westgate Ave., Jacksonville.

This year’s presentation will cover backyard composting, beneficial plants we commonly think of as weeds, and managing pests with less or without pesticides.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4varf9fz.

Gardener’s Palette

QUINCY, Ill. — The 29th annual Gardener’s Palette will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 at John Wood Community College, Paul Heath Center, 1301 S. 48th St., Quincy.

Workshop topics will include:

• Attract Native Pollinators to Your Backyard.

• Homegrown Bouquet: Growing Cut Flowers.

• Planning Your Vegetable Garden.

• Seed Collection, Saving, and Starting.

• Container Gardening 101.

• Relationship Between True Bugs and Native Plants.

• Tree Identification.

• Plants I Would Never Plant Again.

• Making Salad Dressing with Oils and Herbs.

Cost is $40 and includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3792knsp. For more information, call 217-223-8380.

Drone Competition

The 4-H UAV/Drone Competition will begin at 10 a.m. ET March 15 at the Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds, 512 E. 4th St., Alexandria.

The competition will consist of three challenge areas using the standard Tello drone:

• Participants will be timed as they maneuver drones through an obstacle course.

• Students in grades 5-7 will take a 10-question quiz based on The Recreational UAS Safety Test. Students in grades 8-12 will take a 20-question test based on the FAA Part 107 commercial UAV test and TRUST.

• Students will program a drone to accomplish 10 specific tasks.

Learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/ms8p2uke.

Calendar: Morrow Plots and Illinois Centennial Soil Archive Project Event