2026 Back to Basics
Back to Basics is a series focused on the basics of homesteading and heirloom skills you can do at home to become more self-sufficient and save money.
Gardening on a Budget: 5:30 pm on Wednesday, July 15
Groceries can be expensive, especially if you have a family. Illinois Extension educators Jamie Mahlandt and Chris Lueking will teach participants how they may be able to save money through meal planning, developing a grocery spending plan, and growing food in a home garden.
Jefferson County Extension Office - 4202 Williamson Place, Suite 2, Mt. Vernon, IL
Sourdough Starting: 5 pm on Tuesday, August 11
Sourdough can seem difficult to get started, but let us help you. Ellie from Ellie's Place in Centralia will teach participants the basics of starting, feeding, and maintaining a sourdough starter, as well as different recipes you can make with your own starter. Participants will receive a starter kit to help them begin their sourdough journey!
$20 cost for the workshop
Marion County Extension Office - 1404 E Main, Salem, IL
Herb Gardening: 5:30 pm on Tuesday, August 18
Herbs can serve a variety of purposes. They have uses in cooking, as greenery for cut flowers, and can add texture to landscaping. Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Kathy Sherman will talk about growing an herb garden, caring for your plants and using herbs around your home. Participants will receive a seed kit to help them get their home herb garden started!
$5 cost for the workshop
Washington County Education Center (Next to Washington County Extension Office) - 9623 Wall Street, Nashville, IL
Beekeeping 101: 2 pm on Tuesday, September 15
Honeybees are important pollinators and produce delicious honey. Participants are invited to Big T's Honey Bee Farm to see a working bee farm and learn more about starting bee hives, the equipment needed for beekeeping, and honeybee care.
$10 cost for the workshop
Big T's Honey Bee Farm - 1222 Airport Ave. Greenville, IL
Composting 101: 10:30 am on Thursday, October 1
Have you wanted to start composting and don't know where to start? Extension Educator Ken Johnson will be teaching the science behind healthy composting and what items and scraps you should and shouldn't use.
Clinton County Extension Office - 1163 N. Fourth Street, Breese, IL
Basic Tree Care - 9 am on Saturday, October 10
Trees require care to stay healthy and thrive. Mary Grapperhaus, a retired Natural Resources Coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will show participants how to prune trees and which practices will help your trees maintain their health.
Carlyle Lake Visitor Center Outdoor Classroom (located behind the Visitor Center) - 795 Lake Rd, Carlyle, IL 62231
Gardening on a Budget: 5:30 pm on Wednesday, July 15
Groceries can be expensive, especially if you have a family. Illinois Extension educators Jamie Mahlandt and Chris Lueking will teach participants how they may be able to save money through meal planning, developing a grocery spending plan, and growing food in a home garden.
Jefferson County Extension Office - 4202 Williamson Place, Suite 2, Mt. Vernon, IL
Sourdough Starting: 5 pm on Tuesday, August 11
Sourdough can seem difficult to get started, but let us help you. Ellie from Ellie's Place in Centralia will teach participants the basics of starting, feeding, and maintaining a sourdough starter, as well as different recipes you can make with your own starter. Participants will receive a starter kit to help them begin their sourdough journey!
$20 cost for the workshop
Marion County Extension Office - 1404 E Main, Salem, IL
Herb Gardening: 5:30 pm on Tuesday, August 18
Herbs can serve a variety of purposes. They have uses in cooking, as greenery for cut flowers, and can add texture to landscaping. Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Kathy Sherman will talk about growing an herb garden, caring for your plants and using herbs around your home. Participants will receive a seed kit to help them get their home herb garden started!
$5 cost for the workshop
Washington County Education Center (Next to Washington County Extension Office) - 9623 Wall Street, Nashville, IL
Beekeeping 101: 2 pm on Tuesday, September 15
Honeybees are important pollinators and produce delicious honey. Participants are invited to Big T's Honey Bee Farm to see a working bee farm and learn more about starting bee hives, the equipment needed for beekeeping, and honeybee care.
$10 cost for the workshop
Big T's Honey Bee Farm - 1222 Airport Ave. Greenville, IL
Composting 101: 10:30 am on Thursday, October 1
Have you wanted to start composting and don't know where to start? Extension Educator Ken Johnson will be teaching the science behind healthy composting and what items and scraps you should and shouldn't use.
Clinton County Extension Office - 1163 N. Fourth Street, Breese, IL
Basic Tree Care - 9 am on Saturday, October 10
Trees require care to stay healthy and thrive. Mary Grapperhaus, a retired Natural Resources Coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will show participants how to prune trees and which practices will help your trees maintain their health.
Carlyle Lake Visitor Center Outdoor Classroom (located behind the Visitor Center) - 795 Lake Rd, Carlyle, IL 62231