Agriculture and Natural Resources
Compiled by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Happy New Year from Purdue Extension Hamilton County
Purdue Economics Report - Whats up for the year ahead
Be sure to check out the latest Purdue Economics Report released by the Purdue Agricultural Economics Department. In this issue you will find the following important information discussed.
- What is the highest priority for the Trump administration?
- Will the new administration help or hinder our foreign ag sales?
- Will low farm prices continue to favor lower grocery store prices in 2017?
- Where are land values and cash rents headed? How have low farm incomes eroded the financial position of agriculture and what can be done?
2017 Indiana Small Farm Conference
Registration is open for the 5th Annual Indiana Small Farm Conference scheduled for March 2-4, 2017 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, Danville, Indiana.
Deep dive into a full day workshop on Thursday, March 2:
- Hops Production in Indiana
- Beginning Farmer Workshop: Starting a Small Farm in Indiana
- On-Farm Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Growers (Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training)
- Indianapolis Urban Agriculture Tour
On Friday and Saturday, the conference features concurrent sessions on topics ranging from vegetable and livestock production to farm management and marketing. The trade show is open Friday and Saturday for you to network and interact with farm supply and services businesses, non-profit organizations, state agencies, and more. Sit down with experts during consulting corner sessions, check out a trade show demonstration, and catch a screening of The Market Gardener’s Toolkit.
The Friday keynote speaker is Eliot Coleman, farmer at Four Season Farm and author of The New Organic Grower, Four Season Harvest, and The Winter Harvest Handbook. Eliot has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of organic farming, including field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, rotational grazing of cattle and sheep, and range poultry.
On Saturday, the keynote speaker is Blaine Hitzfield, farmer at Seven Sons Family Farms. Blaine is the second son in the family farm operation and manages the marketing and distribution of their farm products. He will discuss the family and operations team for the farm and how they have been successful at direct sales and regional distribution.
Preview the full conference agenda, which will be updated as additional speakers and details are confirmed.
Visit the registration site for more conference details and to register today!
Purdue University Department of Entomology is looking for assistance
Purdue is looking for a few growers to be a cooperator to test automated pheromone traps (Z-Traps), specifically for corn earworm during the summer of 2017. The traps placed on farm would provide valuable research data to growers across the state to make spray decisions on corn, tomatoes, and other crops. If you would consider being involved with this program, please email me for more information.
Midwest Vegetable Production Guide Updated and Available
The 2017 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers is now available for purchase or free download from Purdue Extension's The Education Store. The guide is an annual summary of state-specific information on vegetable varieties, fertility, seeding rates, fertilizer rates, weed control, insect control, and disease management.
Tipton County PARP Programs
Pest & Disease Update
2/6/2017 - Tipton County - Cost $10.00
9:00 am EST - 11:30 am EST
Tipton County Extension Office, 1200 S. Main Street Tipton, Indiana
Scheduled Topics
Cover Crops and Insect Pest Management; Review of Soybean and Corn Disease Problems in 2016; Personal Protective Equipment
Contact Name: Austin Pearson
Title: ANR Educator
Email: pearsona@purdue.edu
RSVP by Feb 3, 2017
Weed Management Update & Climatology
2/13/2017 - Tipton County - Cost $10.00
8:00 am EST - 11:30 am EST
Tipton County Extension Office, 1200 S. Main Street Tipton, Indiana
Scheduled Topics
Weed Management Update; Climatology and Agriculture Management Decisions; Private Applicator Recordkeeping
Contact Name: Austin Pearson
Title: ANR Educator
Phone: 765-675-1177
Email: pearsona@purdue.edu
RSVP by Feb 10, 2017
Cass County PARP
02/17/2017 - Cass County - Cost $10.00
8:30 am EST - 11:30 am EST
Community Center, Cass County Fairgrounds. 2281 E Co Rd 125 N, Logansport, IN 46947
Scheduled Topics: Soil Health; Cover Crop Impact on Pest Control and Nutrient Management; Recordkeeping
Name: Krista Pullen
Title: ANR Educator
Phone: 574.753.7750
Email: kristapullen@purdue.edu
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Managing for 2017 and Beyond
Central Indiana Extension Educators will be hosting a economics program in Boone County on Tuesday, January 17. This program has been held several times around the state with very good reviews.
Speakers include Purdue Agronomist Bob Nielsen discussing agronomic strategies farmers may want to consider to reduce input costs while maintaining yields. Purdue Ag Economists Michael Langemeier and Jim Mintert will discuss cash rent strategies with an eye on helping farmers answer the question, “How much can I afford to pay?”
No pre-registration is required. I’ve attached a flyer with additional information. I hope to see you there.
2017 Crop Management Workshops Scheduled
The 2017 Crop Management Workshops will be held at various sites around the state January 23-27, 2017. The topics of these meetings are adapted from the previous cropping year, new technologies, questions asked by agribusiness personnel, and suggestions from past CMWs. Certification credits for Indiana’s commercial (CCH) and private (PARP) pesticide applicators and Certified Crop Advisors (CEU) will be awarded to attendees. Credits for Ohio applicators have been requested. Click here for the registration brochure.
Professional Landscape Management School
The annual Professional Landscape Management School will be held January 26-27, 2017, at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana. This program is aimed at commercial lawn and tree care companies, landscapers, grounds managers, nurseries, and other related Green Industry groups. For more information, click here.
Next Steps to Successfully Growing Future Farm Generations
For a family farm business to survive the decades, a farm family must plan the transfer from one generation to the next. If your family faces a future farm business transfer, join us for a workshop to help you explore:
- Legal Overview (when to start, who should be involved, and pitfalls)
- Communication and Team Building
- Life Insurance as a Financial Planning Tool
- Retirement Planning
- Financial Health
- Asset Transfer to the Next Generation
- Goal Setting
Date: February 8, 2017
Location: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1300 E 100 S, Lebanon, IN
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed immediately by a farm family meeting with the Farm Succession Planning Team
Cost: $75 for first 4 family members and $15 each additional member
Click here for info on registration.
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