Rachel Dawsey, director of the North Alabama Agriplex, introduces regional butterfly expert and author Paulette Ogard, right, during a previous lecture at the agriplex.

The North Alabama Agriplex is getting all wet for July, pouring up a packed calendar filled with water-themed programs and hands-on learning opportunities for both kids and adults.

On July 13, the Agriplex will host “Water, Water Everywhere,” the next installment in its Farm Kids learning series that encourages local students to “have fun with water through relays, science experiments, and games.” 

Then on July 17, the Lunch & Learn Rain Harvesting series will return to cover new ground on how to make the most of the runoff that comes along with summer storms. 

The July 13 Farm Kids event kicks off at 9 a.m., with a $5 per-child registration fee (or $10 per family). Lunch & Learn Rain Harvesting will be held at noon on July 17; registration is free, but you can reserve a seat ahead of time by calling 256-297-1044.

Also on tap for July is a “Backyard Chickens” learning session, hosted by Agriplex director (and self-described “backyard chicken veteran”) Rachel Dawsey; alongside Alabama Cooperative regional Extension Agent Landon Marks. Learn best practices for raising chickens at home by signing up for the $5 per-person class, which will be held July 16 at 6 p.m.

Other Agriplex programs in July include:

• Heritage Skills Crochet an Amigurumi (Japanese Stuffed Toy) — July 18 at 6 p.m. Led by crochet expert Michelle Morring, the cost to create your own Japanese stuffed-yarn creature is $10 per person.

• Sewing Camp 101 — July 15-19 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. This class is for ages 7-12, or 5-6 with an adult. Sewing Camp 101 is designed for children interested in learning to sew. Campers will learn the basics of hand sewing, while making projects to take home. The cost for the three-day camp is $40.

• Nature Camp Day — July 18 and 19. This new camp explores the natural world and our Native American heritage through hiking, storytelling, and other adventure activities at Hurricane Creek Park, Echota Cherokee Tribal Land, and the Earthworks Environmental Education Center. Open to ages 10-14, the cost is $35 per person.

Learn more about all the Agriplex’s programs, and register for the ones you have your eye on, by visiting agriplex,org.