Healthy Minds, Strong Communities- Rooted Resilience: How Cover Crops Nourish Health and Ease Hunger

Schedule

Tue Apr 21 2026 at 05:30 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1615 Commerce Pkwy, Bloomington, IL 61704-9667, United States | Bloomington, IL

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Build Resilience. Nurture Well‑Being. Grow Community.
Get ready to spark your wellness journey this spring! We’re bringing together a lively mix of Extension educators for an uplifting series designed to help you recharge, reconnect, and rediscover simple joys that support everyday well‑being. From mindful moments to tasty bites to gardening fun, each session offers a fresh way to boost resilience and brighten your day—one small step (or snack!) at a time.

Session Lineup

April 21 - Rooted Resilience; How Cover Crops Nourish Health and Ease Hunger
Participants in this session will first examine the connection between agriculture, nutrition, and family well-being. What is food insecurity? Is it the same as nutrition insecurity? How can these two things affect a family’s overall health? These questions and more will be discussed. Participants will then shift gears to discuss a real-world way to enhance soil health and family well-being in their own backyard. In this practical portion of the workshop, attendees will learn how to plant, grow, and terminate a three-way summer cover crop mix of sunflower, cowpea, and pearl millet as a low-stress, pollinator and bird-friendly alternative to an intense summer vegetable garden.
Register now at https://go.illinois.edu/SpringWellnessSeries
April 28 - Snack with Purpose
Take a closer look at why you snack—true hunger or habit—and discover how to choose foods that actually fuel your body. This session blends mindful eating with practical nutrition tips, helping you slow down, notice your food, and understand how different snacks support energy, focus, and overall health. Enjoy a guided food demonstration and leave with simple, nutrient‑rich snack ideas you can confidently use every day.
May 5 - Dig In! Growing Wellness Through Nature and Gardening
Join us for a fun and relaxing family-friendly workshop that brings wellness to life through nature and gardening! In this hands-on program, you’ll discover the many benefits of spending time outdoors—from reducing stress and boosting mood to fostering creativity and connection. Together, we’ll explore simple ways to incorporate nature into daily life, learn how gardening supports mental and physical well-being, and participate in engaging activities like planting, creating nature crafts, and mindfulness exercises in the garden. This interactive experience is designed for all ages and will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and rooted in wellness.

For questions or reasonable accommodation requests, please contact the McLean County Extension Office at 309-663-8306. Early requests are encouraged to ensure accommodations.
Cost is $5 for the entire series - attend all OR as many sessions as you like!
Space is limited to 25 participants.
For further assistance, contact [email protected] or the U of I Extension McLean County Office at (309) 663-8306. Want to learn more about Extension? Visit go.illinois.edu/LMW for more information.
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Where is it happening?

1615 Commerce Pkwy, Bloomington, IL 61704-9667, United States

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U of I Extension-Livingston, McLean, Woodford Counties

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