Library offering brackets

March Madness is here.

Jay County Public Library’s annual March Madness bracket competition begins in full swing Monday. This year brackets are available for both men’s and women’s basketball.

 Brackets will be available starting Monday and need to be filled out and returned by 11 a.m. Thursday.

The people with the most accurate bracket for men’s and women’s basketball will each win a $25 Amazon gift card at the conclusion of March Madness.

Events scheduled

Red-tail Land Conservancy in Muncie has several events scheduled for the spring and early summer.

The conservancy will host a seed swap and giveaway at Minnetrista on Saturday.

The organization, which is based at 125 E. Charles St., Muncie, will also hold an Earth Day Tree Planting at McVey Memorial Forest in Randolph County on April 20, a Wildflower Workshop at Phyllis & Frank Yuhas Woods on April 30 and a Wildflower Celebration at Yuhas Woods on May 5, and a Water Ecology and Quality Workshop at Munsee Woods on May 29.

For more information, visit fortheland.org/events.

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].

Hosting market

Minnetrista of Muncie is hosting an indoor farmers market on Saturday.

Indoor markets are held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Center Building at Minnetrista, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway, Muncie. Participating vendors accept SNAP, WIC, IU Health Bucks and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

More indoor markets events are slated for April 6 and April 20.

For more information, visit minnetrista.net.