Weeks: 5/12/08 – 6/26/08
For additional information, call (765) 494-8396
MAY 12 & 16: OPERATING AN EFFICIENT FARMERS' MARKET
Operating an Efficient Farmers’ Market will be held at six Indiana locations to help inform market operators and vendors about Indiana's food handling regulations, alternative payment programs and recent trends. The Purdue workshop will give an overview of state regulations for food handling presented by the Indiana Board of Health and the Indiana Board of Animal Health, as well as updates on the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. Registration costs $25 and includes workshop materials and snacks. The workshop will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and refreshments and will adjourn at 12:30 p.m. The May 12 workshop will be in Greencastle at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, Harris Hall; registration is due April 30. The May 16 workshop will be in Bedford at the Purdue Extension office in Lawrence County; registration is due by May 1. CONTACT: Jennifer Dennis, (765) 494-9812, jhdennis@purdue.edu
MAY 15: 2008 INDIANA FARM SUSTAINABILITY TOUR E-MARKETING
The Indiana Farm Sustainability Tour will take place in Vermillion County on Royer Farm and will showcase various techniques and innovative tools farmers have started using to help their operations turn a profit during changing times. Participants also will listen to a presentation about the Royer Farm and the history of the 132-year-old farm that raises and sells fresh beef, lamb and pork. Registration for this event is $15 and starts at 9:30 a.m. on May 15. Registration fees include lunch, refreshments and materials. The tour is expected to conclude around 2:30 p.m. CONTACT: Jerry Nelson, (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu, or Roy Ballard at (317) 462-1113, rballard@purdue.edu
JUNE 17 & 18: WINDIANA 2008 CONFERENCE
The WIndiana Conference will take place June 17 and 18 at the Indiana Convention Center. This conference will explore opportunities for wind power in Indiana, the process that it takes to put together a wind farm project, the rural agricultural perspective for wind power in Indiana, and the perspective of power from the utility point of view. Registration for this conference is $100 for both days or $85 for students, which includes a reception on the first day, lunch on both days and optional tours. CONTACT: Eric Burch, (317) 232-8944, eburch@oed.IN.gov, or register online at http://www.conf.purdue.edu/wind
JUNE 19: THE CHEF'S CONNECTION TO LOCAL FOODS
The Chef's Connection to local foods is part of the 2008 Farm Sustainability Tour that will be located on the Chateau Thomas Winery in Marion County. Participants in this part of the tour will learn about the connection between the producer and the consumer. They also will be informed on how producers are selling their foods to chefs to be used in local restaurants. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. on June 19, and the cost to participate is $15. CONTACT: Jerry Nelson, (812) 886-9592, jnelson@purdue.edu, or Roy Ballard at (317) 462-1113, rballard@purdue.edu
JUNE 24 & 25: INDIANA FARM MANAGEMENT
The 2008 Farm Management Tour will take place in Bartholomew and Jackson counties. This year the tour showcases four farms and one family owned and operated greenhouse. One of the stops includes a certified organic dairy. Participants will visit five stops, each one hitting on the theme of ways to save and earn money on the operation. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. on June 24 and will conclude around 3 p.m. on June 25. There is no cost for this event, but preregistration is required if participants want to eat the meals provided or go on the twilight walk of Irwin Gardens. Contact: Alan Miller at (765) 494-4203, millerwa@purdue.edu
JUNE 26: PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORAGE DAY
Purdue Forage Day will take place near Jonesboro in Grant County. The hosts for this year's event are Gary and Ann Hoddupp, who plant alfalfa and grass mixes for hay. This year's field day will offer presentations on a wide variety of topics, including the proper amount of fertilizer to apply to your field, double cropping after the harvest of winter wheat and discussion of the Indiana sales tax on forage products. Registration for this event is free, however, lunch will be served for a nominal fee. For more information, visit the Purdue Forage Day Web site at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/forageday/index.html. CONTACT: Keith Johnson, Purdue forage specialist, at (765) 494-4800