May
23: Secrest After Hours, 5-7 p.m., discussion of trees and shrubs followed by social time and hors d'oeuvres in nearby Jack & Deb Miller Pavilion, free, Secrest Arboretum, Seaman Orientation Plaza, OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH, cochran.7@osu.edu or 330-464-2148.
24: Propogating Plants from Stem Cuttings, 7 p.m., learn how to grow new plants from propogating stem cuttings another way, $1/person to cover potting soil and supplies, call for details, open to general public, pre-registration required as class space is limited, Allen County Extension Office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne, IN, 260-481-6826.
June
1: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
1: Small Fruit Seminar, 10 a.m., discussing growing fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, currents and grapes, space is limited and RSVP is requested, free parking at the office located on the IPFW campus, Purdue Extension office, Fort Wayne, IN, 260-481-6427.
5: Best Practice Pasture Tour, registration and check-in at 5 p.m., with dinner at 5:30 p.m., no charge to attend the pasture walk, but advanced registration is required, event highlights Voogt Farms' grazing operation and focus on fencing and watering systems, pasture mixes and environmental practices implemented on the farm, which helped them achieve their recent MAEAP verification, Voogt Farms, 2831 Hayes St., Marne, MI, 616-846-8770 x 5.
7-8: Relay for Life, noon-noon, Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Broad St., Hillsdale, MI, contact Deidre Butkus at 269-349-8710 or deidre,butkus@cancer.org.
8: Taking Your Farm to the Next Level: Equipment for Scaling Up Production, 2-4:30 p.m., registration 1:45-2 p.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, PrairiErth Farm, 2047 Co. Rd. 2100 N, Atlanta, IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
8-9: Marion Township 6th Annual Heritage Days, events for both days include steam engines, antique tractors, plowing, sawing and thrashing demonstrations, hit and miss engines, animal displays, kids' activities, peddler's market, food vendors, free wagon and barrel rides, Saturday events - auction, Contra dancing, tractor parades, band and sparks show (weather permitting), Sunday events - pancake breakfast, antique and classic car show, Farmer John animal show and garden tractor pull, family event includes something for everyone, $5/person or $10/carload, Marion Township, just south of Howell, MI, 517-546-1588 or visit www.mariontownship.com.
15: Intensive Grazing on 10 Acres, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., registration 8:30-9 a.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, Kraal Farm, 9223 Bell Fountain Rd., Dawson, IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
19: 'Get Checking' Workshop, intro to program and choosing an account right for you, managing a checking account, keys to successful money management and credit, free and open to public but pre-registration required, receive a certificate of completion at the end of workshop allowing you to open an account at a participating bank or credit union, $50 incentive to those who qualify, Allen County Extension Office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne, IN, hadleyv@purdue.edu or 260-481-6826.
22-23: Camden 'Down & Dirty' Days, hosted by the Camden Fire Department, Saturday: antique tractor pulls (free admission) - registration at 8 a.m., pulls at 10 a.m., truck & diesel pulls ($7/person) - registration at 4 p.m., pulls at 7 p.m., Sunday: light & heavyweight horse pulls ($5/person) - lightweight class starts at 1 p.m., heavyweight to follow, Calcutta, concessions, vendors, kids 10 & under admitted free, Chester Park, Camden, MI, 517-607-5352, 517-607-6720, 517-617-5265 or check us out on Facebook for classes and rules.
July
13: Growing Your Sustainable Farm Business: A Producer's Prospective, 3-7 p.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, Living Waters Farm, 29695 E. 100 N Rd., Strawn & South Pork Ranch, 32796 E. 750 N Rd., Chatsworth, IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
16-18: AG Expo, Livestock Pavilion, East Lansing, MI, agexpo.msu.edu.
20: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
August
4: Northwestern Michigan Fair Driving Show, show starts at 1 p.m., rain or shine, classes include walk-trot under saddle, single hitch -- pony, horse and draft, youth driving showmanship, two hitches -- pony horse and draft, unicorn hitch, four-horse hitch, six-horse hitch, wagon placement, obstacle course, and log pull, prize money for 1st-4th, Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds, Sue Booth Arena, Blair Town Hall Rd., Traverse City, MI, 231-369-3760.
8: 75th Anniversary Celebration Picnic, 5:30-9 p.m., locally-sourced meal of roast pork and delicious side dishes while listening to Tim Wilson from USDA Wildlife Services discuss the status of feral hogs in Michigan, then Scott Reynolds will showcase how his highly-skilled K9 workforce improves our water quality, silent auction and opportunity to explore the Farm Park's trails on foot or take a wagon tour of the property, there is a fee for this event and pre-registration is strongly encouraged, Eastmanville Farm Park, 7851 Leonard Rd., Coopersville, MI, www.ottawacd.org or 616-846-8770 x 5.
11: Driving and Maintaining Your Small Tractor, 3-6 p.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, Spence Farm, Phelps Schoolhouse, 2959 N. 2050 East Rd., Fairbury, IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
17: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
17-18: 30th Antique & Collector's Tractor Show, tractor drive on the 16th, admission to show is $5/person per day with kids 10 and under admitted free, Allis-Chalmers and Rumely equipment featured, tractor pulls and games, parades, field demonstrations, flea markets, church service on Sunday, horseshoe tournament, wine tasting event, Saturday evening entertainment, breakfasts, great food including homemade pies and ice cream, much more, sponsored by Platte Valley Antique Machinery Association, Crystal Lake Recreation Area, 10 miles south of Hastings, NE on Highways 281 and 74, follow signs. For more information, go to www.pvama.org.
23-25: Northwest Michigan Draft Horse & Mule Assn. Driving School, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, $350/adults and $75/youth, feel "real" horsepower in your hands, training from experienced teamsters, instruction given on ground driving, single horse hitches, multiple horse hitches, lectures given by Shipshewana Harness on harness types, and farrier Will Lent on working with big horses, enrollment limited, Bob Mampe's Farm, 749 McKinley Rd., Traverse City, MI, 231-369-3760.
September
14: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
14: Preparing for Extended Season Production, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, Sunset Trail Farms, 12046 E. Gamble Rd., Pembroke Twp., IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
October
1: Farmer Grant Writing Workshop, 6-9 p.m., part of Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network, 700 S. Airport Dr., Springfield, IL, www.cisfn.org, 217-782-4617 or cvnghgrn@illinois.edu.
November
16: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
December
14: Keg Shoe Modification Forge Classes, cold and hot shoe shaping, practice and learn: toe clips, lateral trailers, bar shoes, etc., specializes in packing and traction shoes, for new and apprentice farriers, BWFA certification practice and testing offered, Zanesville, OH, 740-819-5571.
