Agriculture and Natural Resources
Compiled by Diane Turner - Hamilton County Educator
Current Purdue Production Newsletters
Chat 'n Chew Cafe - May 2017
Facts for Fancy Fruit - Issue 17-03 - April 27, 2017
Greenhouse Newsletter - Issue 5 - April 16, 2017
Pest and Crops Newsletter - Issue 4 - April 21, 2017
Pest and Crops Newsletter - Issue 5 - April 28, 2017
Vegetable Crops Hotline - Issue 625 - April 13, 2017
Vegetable Crops Hotline - Issue 626 - April 27, 2017
INDIANA CROP WEATHER REPORT - Heavy Rainfall Halts Fieldwork
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.
Upcoming Training Events and Opportunities
Save The Date: Master Gardener Plant Sale Scheduled for May 20, 2017
The 19th annual Hamilton County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 20th, in the Exhibition Hall at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, Noblesville, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Over 12,000 plants will be available for sale to the public. In addition to the dazzling selection of perennials, annuals, vegetables and trees, bearded iris’ are available and will be dug to order at the Iris/Daylily bed. A marvelous selection of native plants will be offered. Plants are grown with care by Purdue Master Gardeners, are acclimated to Indiana’s climate and are priced well below local garden centers.
The day will also include educational materials covering many aspects of gardening at no charge. As always, Purdue Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions and offer expert advice.
Proceeds from the sale support scholarships for students in Hamilton County interested in horticulture-related careers, as well as numerous community activities supporting sound horticultural practices in Hamilton County. The sale also supports a Small Grants Program for local groups and schools with qualified horticultural programs.
May 8 - Nightfall Farm uses rotational grazing to raise animals on pasture near Crothersville, IN. Learn about regenerative agriculture and their experiences developing a meat CSA.
May 23 - Seven Sons Farm produces grass-fed beef, pork, and eggs, at their farm near Roanoke, IN. The tour will include information on grazing systems.
June 15 - Clay Bottom Farm near Goshen, IN uses intensive growing methods to support a CSA program on less than an acre of land. Learn about their ‘lean farm” approach to support a CSA, supply restaurants, and sell at farmers’ markets.
June 24 - Silverthorn Farm near Rossville, IN uses organic practices to produce a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The tour will include a session on working with restaurants.
July 8 - Tuttle Orchard near Greenfield, IN grows over 35 varieties of apples. Their apples and cider have won statewide and national competitions.
August 12 - Crowl Cattle is a veteran run farm that raises quality beef and pork in Lafayette, Indiana.
August 26 - Goat Milk Stuff is a dairy goat farm located near Scottsburg, IN that produces soaps, candies and cheeses. The tour will include information on agricultural tourism and value-added products.
September 11 - Two tours for the price of one! Tour Little Prairie Farm, a small acreage vegetable farm near Brookston, IN, and the Purdue Student Farm near West Lafayette to learn about farming practices and tools for small acreage farms.
September 27 - Full Hand Farm is a diverse vegetable farm located near Noblesville, IN. The tour will include information on the use of high tunnels in vegetable production.
October 2 - Aficionado Farms produces organically grown produce, herbs, and flowers near Elberfeld, IN. Learn about their farm and Farm to School programs.
October 14 - Blue Yonder Organic Farm is a Veteran owned and operated farm near North Salem producing pastured poultry, sheep, and other products. Learn about poultry production and organic certification.
To register for one of the Purdue Extension Beginning Farmer Tours or Workshops - CLICK HERE
Certified Livestock Producer Training in Greensburg - June 19, 2017
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) will hold a Certified Livestock Producer training session in Greensburg on June 19, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is open to all species and sizes of livestock operations, and recognizes producers that go above and beyond in their farm management practices in the areas of environmental stewardship, animal well-being, biosecurity, emergency planning and community relations.
“There are many benefits to becoming a Certified Livestock Producer, such as meeting with the fire department and having an emergency plan,” said Ted McKinney, ISDA Director. “This is an excellent way to show your neighbors and community that you are doing things right."
To complete the certification, producers must develop a biosecurity plan with their veterinarian, meet with their local fire department and create an emergency plan, complete self-assessments in various subject areas, as well as participate in their industry’s quality assurance program (F.A.R.M., Beef Quality Assurance, Pork Quality Assurance, etc.).
Certified livestock producers receive a variety of discounts from program sponsors, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Townsends Sales Livestock Equipment, Cherry Brother Designs Farm Source Systems (Farm emergency plans) and Cowco Inc.
Livestock producers interested in attending the training session should contact Kimmi Devaney at or 317.450.3570. The deadline to register is June 14, 2017. More information will be sent to producers after registration. Visit the ISDA Website for more information.
2017 Hop Production Field Day Dates Announced
June 17th - Liberty Hop Farm, North Liberty, IN
August 26th - Crazy Horse Hops LLC, Knightstown, IN
Save the Date: Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day - July 11, 2017
Purdue Extension - Hamilton County Education Center is Open
Hamilton County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (HCMGA) is once again volunteering to answer calls and walk-in questions regarding home landscapes each week on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. You can also email your horticulture questions to HamiltonGardenline@gmail.com.
The Purdue Extension staff will be on hand to answer questions about food preparation and preservation. Visitors can also schedule an appointment to have their pressure canner gauge checked for accuracy.
For more information about the Education Center or Purdue Extension Hamilton County, contact your local office at (317) 776-0854 or visit our website.
Successful Gardening Blog
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