Agriculture and Natural Resources
Compiled by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Save the Date:
2016 Hamilton County Fair Dates: July 21-25; Auction July 26
Indiana State Fair: August 5 - 21, 2016
Indiana Crop Weather Report - Spring Planting Remains Slow
Find the updated crop reports for the past two weeks for Indiana by clicking the links below. Information is provided by Indiana State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Current Purdue Production Newsletters
Chat 'n Chew Cafe - May 2016
Facts for Fancy Fruit - Issue 1604 - May 2016
Pest & Crop Newsletter - Issue 6 - May 13, 2016
Vegetable Crops Hotline - Issue 612 - May 12, 2016Purdue App Provides Indiana Ag Stats on the Go
Purdue University has created a free mobile app (Product Code 2-82-APP) intended for anyone needing Indiana agricultural statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This "Indiana Agricultural Statistics" app has information about Indiana's entire agricultural industry.
This publication satisfies the growing need for accurate, reliable and unbiased information and data. The data is collected from Indiana Farmers, agricultural businesses, USDA Farm Service Agency County Staff, Purdue University County Extension Staff, NASDA Enumerators and others that make this Publication possible. This data is used to provide facts to decision makers that determine the future of Indiana's agricultural industry.
The statics provided includes statewide and county-specific information on farm income by crop and livestock, per-acre yields and total production of crops, production expenses and government payments, including many other relevant data. The app is available for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Android users. It can be obtained through iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. Links to those sites where the app can be downloaded are in Purdue Extension’s The Education Store.
Should Indiana Growers Shift to Soybeans
Farmers who have been delayed in planting corn could take advantage of a market rally in soybeans and switch to that crop, Purdue agricultural economist Chris Hurt says.
Soybean prices surged Tuesday (May 10) after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed a sharp reduction in global soybean inventories and stronger-than-anticipated demand for U.S. exports.
"Delayed planting this spring may actually turn out to be a financial blessing if farmers end up planting more soybean acres," Hurt said. "Soybean prices have been rising rapidly this spring while corn prices have increased much more slowly."
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Hamilton County Master Gardener Intern Training Begins August 23, 2016
Hamilton County has scheduled their popular Purdue Master Gardener Program to begin August 23rd, 2016. Classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 pm through October 11th at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.
The program provides gardeners with intensive education in horticultural principles. The instruction is provided without charge, however, there is a fee for supplies which become your personal reference collection. The cost for the program materials is $165.00. Participants from the same family can attend the training together and share materials for an additional $50.00.
Participants who successfully complete the program and, thereafter, donate an equal number of volunteer hours in community gardening services are certified as Master Gardeners. Yearly donation of time is expected to maintain certification. Click the link below for more information.
Growing Hops in Indiana: Field Day Planned in Knightstown on June 4th
Farmers who grow hops or want to start hops production should join me and the Purdue Hops Team at Purdue Extension's Hops Field Day on June 4 at Crazy Horse Hops Farm, 8781 S. County Road 925 W, Knightstown. The free event runs 1-3 p.m. EST.
Rapid growth in the craft beer industry is providing new opportunities for Indiana farmers to grow hops, said Lori Hoagland, assistant professor of horticulture and one of the field day organizers. "Demand for hops is beginning to exceed the supply, resulting in increased costs and concerns about hop shortages," Hoagland said. "This field day will help growers identify best management practices for their farm and support Indiana's hop and craft beer industries."
Topics include irrigation management, hilling, petiole testing for nutrients, pruning lower foliage for downy mildew management and insect identification. Participants may bring insect specimens for experts to identify.
The event is free, but registration is required by June 1. To sign up, go to http://bit.ly/1rkkciw. For more information, contact the Monroe County Extension office at 812-349-2575 or afthompson@purdue.edu. Hope to see you all there to learn more about this new Indiana Crop.
18th Annual Hamilton County Master Gardener Plant Sale This Weekend!
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program - Farm Tours Scheduled
Purdue's Beginning Farmer and Rancher program is offering new and aspiring farmers an opportunity to visit 10 Indiana agribusinesses and learn from Purdue Extension educators, producers and other experts about topics ranging from organic produce to aquaponics.
The series of tours runs from May through October and includes stops throughout the state. "In our second year we are very excited to be able to expand the number of tours as well as the scope of the topics we will address," said Kevin Gibson, professor of botany and plant pathology and one of the leaders of Purdue's Beginning Farmer and Rancher team.
Tour stops and topics:
May 26: South Circle Farm, Indianapolis. Urban agriculture, organic farming and key tools for managing small-scale farming operations.
June 25: Silverthorn Farm, Rossville. Organic fruits and vegetables, pastured pork and working with restaurants.
July 10: Harvest Moon Flower Farm, Spencer. Flower production and selling at farmers markets.
July 14: Melon Acres, Oaktown. Community-supported agriculture and agritourism.
Aug. 16: Greystone Farm, Lawrenceburg. Pasture management and the production of pastured-raised meats, eggs, honey and herbs.
Sept. 8: Becker Farms, Mooreland. Multi-species grazing systems and producing your own feed for livestock and poultry.
Sept. 29: River Ridge Farm, Roann. Four-season vegetable farming, operating an on-farm store, and farm-to-school programs.
Oct. 7: Hawkins Family Farm, North Manchester. Poultry, hogs, cattle and vegetables and a discussion on processing meat.
Oct. 20: Fields of Agape, Carthage. Developing partnerships and infrastructure to support small grain farming.
Lunch will be provided during each tour. The tours are free, but registration is required. Registration is now open for the first six tours at this link. Registration for the remainder of the tours will be available in early June on the same website. For more information about the Beginning Farmer and Rancher program, or the farm tour schedule, contact Kevin Gibson at 765-496-2161.
To join a mailing list to receive updates on the farm tours and other events planned by the Beginning Farmer team, send an email message to beginningfarmers@lists.purdue.edu.
Central District Scheduled PARP Trainings
Clinton County Modern Ag Event
Location: Dull's Tree Farm
Date: Tuesday June 21st 2016; 8:00am to 1:15pm
Topics: Precision Management of Pesticides and Nutrients; Drone use in Nutrient Management; Sugar Creek Watershed Project; Private Applicator Recordkeeping; Farm Safety Net; Drone Showcase following presentations
Cost: $20.00 Registration fee
Contact: Britt Reese, Clinton ANR Educator 765.659.6380
About Diane Turner
Email: turnerda@purdue.edu
Website: https://extension.purdue.edu/hamilton
Location: 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN, United States
Phone: 317-776-0854