Agriculture and Natural Resources
Compiled by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Indiana Crop Weather Report - Rains Remain Hit or Miss
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 - August 2016
Pest & Crop Newsletter - Issue 16 - July 22, 2016
Pest & Crop Newsletter - Issue 17 - July 29, 2016
Vegetable Crops Hotline - Issue 617 - July 21, 2016Facts for Fancy Fruit - Issue 1609 - July 22, 2016
Breaking News: 2016 Indiana Farmland Values and Cash Rent Report
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week - August 7-13, 2016
This year marks the 17th Annual National Farmers Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers markets play in local economies. Plan to visit one of Hamilton Counties many Farmers Markets this weekend and support our local businesses.
Carmel Farmers Market - Saturday from May to September Open: 8am-11:30am
Fishers Farmers Market - Saturday May through September Open: 8am -12noon
Noblesville Farmers Market - Saturday from May to October Open: 8am-12noon
Sheridan Farmers Market - Wednesday Open: 4pm-7pm
The Market @ Saxony - Saturday 8am-12noon
Westfield City Market - Saturday June to September Open: 10am-2pm
Purdue Hops Program Takes on the Pacific Northwest
Our first stop included a visit to Washington State University's Puyallup Research and Extension Center where we joined members of their Small Farms Team and discussed organic cover cropping systems among other projects. That afternoon we traveled to Toppenish Washington the home of Perrault's Hop Farm, a family operated farm established in 1904. Here we spent the afternoon learning production techniques from some of the best hop producers in the country. We also enjoyed a visit with Yakima Chief, Inc and Hopunion LLC a 100% grower owned supplier for their perspective on the business and marketing of hops.
We completed our time in Washington state with a visit to the WSU - Irrigated Agriculture and Research and Extension Center. This stop may have been my favorite stop where we learned to identify common diseases associated with growing hops, such as downy mildew. This fungal pathogen Pseudoperonospora humuli can cause significant yield and quality losses in hop systems depending on hop variety and disease pressure.
Over the next few days we traveled into Oregon where we continued to discuss hop diseases, breeding and well as a diverse group of organic vegetable systems at the Oregon State University's Hyslop Farm.
This educational opportunity was professionally rewarding and well as personally enlightening. The Purdue Hops team developed a bond with Indiana growers to promote hops, research best management practices, and develop resources for this new ever expanding commodity within Indiana. If you are interested in more information on growing hops, feel free to contact me via email at any time or by calling our local Extension Office at (317) 776-0854.
Indiana Office of State Chemist to Offer Pesticide and Fertilizer Testing Locally
Starting August 3, 2016, the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) will be utilizing a new remote exam vendor for administering all off Purdue-campus pesticide and fertilizer applicator and technician exams. The new exam vendor will be using IvyTech campuses to administer exams. Exam costs that previously ran as high as $80 have been reduced to a set cost of $55, regardless of the exam being taken. Local testing locations include Anderson, Avon, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Logansport and many others across the state. Click the link above for more information.
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Beginning Farmer & Diversified Ag Ventures: Ginseng Field Day - September 29, 2016
Do you have an established reforestation plot or area of woodlands that you would like to find a new way to diversify? Are you seeking a different approach to reforestation by adding in farming? Are you interested in growing ginseng?
If you answered yes, consider joining us for an afternoon of an introduction to American ginseng, laws relating to ginseng harvesting and marketing, sources of seed and plants, planting site selection and preparation, planting and management options, timelines and economic models. Thursday, September 29 5-8 p.m. Click here to register.
Ohio State offering Field Nights For Hops Growers
Two workshops offered in August will offer both new and established hops growers insight into how to produce the increasingly popular crop.
The Ohio Hops Field Night is Aug. 16 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Ohio State University South Centers Research Building Auditorium, 1864 Shyville Road, in Piketon. The Northwest Ohio Hops Field Night is Aug. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Agricultural Incubator Foundation, 13737 Middleton Pike, in Bowling Green. Click here for more information.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Native Tree Sale
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual fall native tree sale. This is a great opportunity to obtain hearty yet inexpensive native trees and shrubs that beautify neighborhoods, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance communities. This year 37 varieties of native trees and shrubs are available.
All trees are $25.00 apiece and will arrive in 3 gallon containers and be approximately 3-5 feet tall at delivery. Order forms can be found online and are due September 3rd. Trees can be picked up Friday September 9th from 2-6:00pm at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds lama barn. New this year, online ordering and payment is available at www.hamiltonswcd.org.
Central District - Upcoming PARP Trainings
Walton Field Day - Cass County
Date: Wed Aug 17 2016 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Topics Covered: Weed control with Herbicide Resistance; Seed Treatments; Nitrogen Management; Pollinator Protection
Location: The Andersons Walton
Contact: Krista Pullen, Cass ANR Educator 574-753-7750
Fall Farmer Update - Grant County
Date: Mon Aug 29 2016 9:00 AM to 1:45 PM
Topics Covered: Palmer Amaranth in Grant Co.; Pollinator Protection, Bulk Storage and Loading NRCS Programs; Transportation Regulations for Farmers; Managing Tight Margins; Private Applicator Recordkeeping
Location: Ivy Tech Conference Center, Marion
Contact: Stacy Clupper, Grant ANR Educator 765-651-2413
***(RSVP August 25 765-651-2413 Sponsored Box Lunch)
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