In the coming weeks, the United States Department of Agriculture will begin accepting financial relief applications from farmers who report losses related to COVID-19.

By JEFF BURBRINK
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County

ELKHART COUNTY — My old friend Herman Bullard once pointed out that counties near urban areas often see a gradual increase in fresh fruit, vegetable and flowers production as the year’s progress and as land values begin to increase due to developmental pressure.

WICHITA, KAN. — Research shows that children that grow up on farms and in rural communities are less likely to develop asthma and allergies.

By JEFF BURBRINK, Extension Editor   On Monday, Oct. 19, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning, which indicates the conditions were right for fires to spread rapidly due to dry conditions and wind. While conditions are expected to improve slightly over the next week, the fact is the fields are very dry …read more.

BY ROBERT KELLY, Elkhart County Purdue Extension Educator ELKHART COUNTY — Many sheep and goat producers have challenges with keeping worms and parasite under control in their herds. FAMANCHA is a diagnostic tool to help sheep and goat producers identify parasite infections in their herds. The tool is a chart that matches eyelid color to …read more.

INDIANA — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Indiana’s request for federal assistance for government and certain non-profit organizations in 19 counties for severe storms and flooding June 7 to July 29.  Governor Mike Pence has directed the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to pursue an appeal.  “Our local governments particularly need assistance, so …read more.

In a letter sent earlier this week to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, Governor Mike Pence requested a secretarial disaster declaration for 53 of Indiana’s 92 counties due to crop damage and losses caused by flooding and excessive rain since May 1 of this year. Kosciusko County was amongst the 53 counties requested …read more.

Purdue University is giving active-duty military members and veterans who are interested in agricultural careers a chance to explore farming through the university’s AgrAbility program. Participants will be invited to tour Blue Yonder Organic Farm in North Salem Aug. 16. There, they will have a chance to speak with owner Sara Creech, a former member of …read more.

This evenings special program just for mommy’s and sons, hosted by the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department has a theme of “Farming.” There are 74 registered who will be attending the special event in Pete Thorn’s gymnasium between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Attendance was through pre-registration only. This morning Warsaw Police Officer Justin (Tug) …read more.

Although northern Indiana is seeing a cool start to spring, an area farming expert predicts planting season will result in a great yield this year, which may in turn mean lower prices at the grocery store on some items. Matt Bechdol, a specialist in geo-spacial analysis for food and agriculture, feels that food prices may …read more.

Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department will hold the Mommy-Son Adventure from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the Pete Thorn Center gymnasium, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. This year’s theme is “Farm Adventure.” Boys ages 3 to 10 and their moms, aunts, or grandmothers will enjoy games, activities, and snacks all related …read more.

By DONNA BURROUGHS, EdS Superintendent, Triton Community School Corporation In celebration of National Ag Day, Triton’s chapter of FFA celebrated with a special pancake and sausage breakfast at school. Several community members and school staff were invited to this tasty event.

By JULIA WICKARD State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency Indiana I have an update for you as you prepare to make your one-time election decision about ARC PLC safety-net programs. These important decisions need to be made by Tuesday, March 31. That includes landowner decisions on whether to update yields and or reallocate base …read more.

By BENJAMIN KENNEY Indiana State Department of Agriculture The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has announced it is accepting applications for a total of $500,000 in expected federal funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The grant will come from the United States Department of Agriculture and will be available to nonprofits, producers, academic …read more.