Wildflower celebration is May 4

The flowers will be on full display next weekend.

Red-Tail Land Conservancy will host its Wildflower Celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, in Phyllis and Frank Yuhas Woods.

The event will offer free guided wildflower tours with a botanical expert at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Woods, 5964 W. 400 South, Farmland. Attendees can also take a self-guided tour.

The Wildflower Celebration marks part of the less than eight hours Yuhas Woods is open to the public each year.

Deadline extended

Ball State University has extended its national enrollment confirmation deadline for 2024-25 to June 1.

The university made the change after an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education about a delay in institutions receiving student financial aid information through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It has resulted in financial aid packaged offers being delayed as well, with eBSU planning to send award letters in mid- to late-April.

“Pursuing higher education and achieving a degree can have a transformative impact on one’s life. Therefore, it’s crucial not to rush such a significant decision,” said Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management at Ball State, in a press release. “This extension provides students and their families the opportunity and flexibility to carefully evaluate their financial aid options and make well-informed choices.”

For more information, email [email protected].

Seeking samples

Purdue University is looking for farms from which it can take soil samples for the Diverse Corn Belt project.

The project is a five-year effort that will explore impacts of diversified farming systems beyond corn and soybeans in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. it is seeking “concrete options for diversification and understanding the agronomic, economic, social, infrastructure and policy changes that could make them viable.”

Conventionally farmed, no-till and pasture fields are being sought for the research.

For more information, email [email protected].

Financial literacy

Time is running out for organizations to apply for funding to develop financial literacy programs that benefit Ohio children and young adults.

Applications are available for Ohio’s Financial Literacy Education Grant, which “aims to provide financial support in areas of need that address gaps in financial education delivery to Ohio children and young adults,” according to a press release from  Ohio Department of Commerce.

Organizations may apply for a portion of the $50,000 grant to fund programs in 2025 dedicated to instilling financial literacy among young Ohioans between the ages of 5 and 25 through virtual and in-person training.

To learn more, visit com.ohio.gov/FinancialLiteracy. The deadline to apply is April 30.

Offering program

A new program to help develop technology skills is offered for east central Indiana residents.

East Central Indiana Regional Planning District recently announced a partnership with Northstar for the Digital Literacy Program.

The program, which is free through the end of the year, provides lessons on computer basics including email usage, operating systems and software including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Google Docs. There are also modules regarding social media, distance learning and managing your digital footprint.

To access the Digital Literacy Program for free, visit bit.ly/JayCoDLP and click “sign up as a learner.”

Camps scheduled

Indiana State Police will host a series of summer camps for students ranging from 11 years old through high school. There will be a Pioneer Camp for children ages 11 through 14 from June 10 through 13 at Mounds State Park in Anderson. A Law Camp for sixth through eighth graders is set for June 30 through July 3 in Anderson and a Cadet Camp for high school students will be held in Anderson from June 23 through 29.

For more information regarding the camps visit trooper.org, email [email protected] or call (317) 951-3882.