MVLNA Spring Clinic

The Mahoning Valley Landscape and Nursery Association (MVLNA) invites landscapers and nursery growers to attend its annual Spring Clinic, featuring a full day of education, networking, and industry updates. The 2026 MVLNA Spring Clinic will showcase an extensive lineup of speakers from Ohio State University Extension and the green industry. Sessions will include a roundtable discussion on how MVLNA can better support members, along with updates on turf management, industrial vegetation control, ornamental insects and IPM, and new and exciting trees and shrubs for the landscape. The program will take place at . Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore a tradeshow featuring vendor displays and the latest industry products and services. Registration is for members of MVLNA, FFRG, Garden Clubs, or Master Gardeners, and for non-members. For information, contact .

Mahoning Valley’s steel legacy

Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, invites the community to explore the deep geological roots of the Mahoning Valley’s steel legacy during “From Bedrock to Blast Furnaces: Iron Ore in the Valley,” an educational program on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The program will be held at 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. Led by Diana Alexander, geologist and Mill Creek Park educator, the presentation uncovers how ancient iron-rich deposits formed millions of years ago in Mahoning County fueled early blast furnaces and helped establish Youngstown as a nationally recognized Steel City. Attendees will gain insight into the natural history beneath their feet and how geology shaped the region’s economic and cultural identity. This program is part of an ongoing educational series highlighting the science, history, and natural resources of the Mahoning Valley. The cost is $5 per session or $30 for the full series. Credit cards, cash, and checks made payable to OSU Extension are accepted. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 330-533-5538.

Start plants from seed workshop

Gardeners looking to get a head start on the growing season are invited to attend How to Start Your Plants from Seeds, an educational workshop hosted by OSU Extension Mahoning County on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the OSU Extension office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. This one-hour program will provide participants with the most up-to-date, research-based information to help them successfully grow plants from seed. Starting plants from seeds can help gardeners save money, expand the variety of plants in their gardens, and increase access to hard-to-find native plants that are essential for supporting pollinators. The program will be led by Peg Zeleznik, Master Gardener Volunteer, and Kristen Eisenhauer, 4-H and Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, who will share practical tips, demonstrations, and best practices for seed starting at home. The $10 registration fee includes expert instruction, hands-on demonstrations, educational handouts, and seeds for participants to take home. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 330-533-5538.

Black-led and Black-serving

nonprofit grant applications

NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The African American Community Fund (AACF), with the support of its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), is accepting grant applications from Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations serving Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.

AACF will award grants that advance opportunities across five areas essential to flourishing communities: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Emphasis is on supporting individuals of all ages who are spearheading projects and programs that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Appalachian Ohio’s African American communities.

Funding requests should be between $500 and $5,000, but larger requests may be considered based on potential impact. Additional information and the 2026 grant application are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF/grant-opportunities. Applications must be submitted online by Tuesday, March 24.

Gifts to AACF’s endowment fund are invested, and the earnings generated from those investments fund the grants AACF awards each year. In 2025, AACF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, awarded more than $32,000 in grant funding to support projects and programs serving the region’s African American communities.

To learn more about AACF and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF, email AACF@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.

Sebring school board meetings

The Sebring school board will hold a series of special meetings for executive sessions to consider the employment of a public employee or official. The meetings include 9 a.m. Feb. 21 in the administrative offices, 5 p.m. Feb. 24 in the high school auditorium, 5 p.m. Feb. 26 in the high school auditorium and 5 p.m. March 9 in the high school auditorium.

Lepper Library upcoming programs

LISBON — Lepper Library has announced the following programs:

Soil & Conservation Program “From the Rain Barrel to the Rain Garden”: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Guest Speakers: Pete Conkle, Soil & Water Conservationist, and Haley Shoemaker, OSU Extension. They are returning to showcase the benefits of rain barrels, including rainwater collection, runoff reduction, and plant watering. The program will cover maintenance, usage, and include a rain garden demonstration.

Weekly Storytimes Moving and Grooving: 10 a.m. Tuesdays. This Storytime is geared toward babies and toddlers. Come sing songs, listen to a story, and play. Older siblings are welcome to join in also.

Weekly Storytimes Preschool Story Hour: 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Sing songs, listen to stories, and make crafts. Stay and play after the program. Geared toward children 3-5 but younger and older siblings are welcome.

For the Love of the Olympic Games: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14. Drop in and help celebrate the Winter Olympic Games and USA with arts and crafts for all ages.

Moving and Grooving Preschool Storytime are all made possible in part by state tax dollars given by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.