Expanding Your Knowledge of Agriculture

If you have an interest in agriculture, participate in production agriculture, or just want to find out more about agriculture, then the Extension Office has some opportunities to share with you.

There are currently three events scheduled in Putnam County that can help those involved in agriculture or want to know more about agriculture increase their skill set.

The first event is Ag Day scheduled for March 14 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

The day will begin with an Ag Day Breakfast being served from 8-9 a.m. Then a short program will follow featuring the Hall of Fame Awards, photography contest winners, and a short presentation from Barry Fisher (recently recipient of the Certified Crop Adviser of the Year award for the State of Indiana).

Then from 9:30 until noon, the Mini Farm-Fest will take place. Mini Farm-Fest gives participants a chance to interact with different agricultural producers, businesses and organizations as they spread their knowledge and love of agriculture to others. There will be chances for kids to interact with livestock, see tractors and much more.

The next event is the Purdue Women in Agriculture regional meeting to be held Thursday, March 19 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear from Purdue professors and Extension educators on a range of topics, including: Risk Management for Grain Marketing, Capitalizing on the Generations Involved in Your Family Farm, Heart Health, Creating Goals and Clearly Communicating Them and the emergency management tool titled Code Red.

Code Red is a new tool that aids is maintaining important information such as passwords, bank account information, rental agreements, insurance papers and power of attorney documents and much more in one easy location. This program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $30 per person. Everyone is asked to register by March 12 by calling 653-8411 or by emailing smith535@purdue.edu.

Lastly, there will be an Area Small Farms Clinic at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on March 19 from 6-8 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend two different sessions focusing on fundamental topics. You will select one session for each hour of the program. For the first session, you have the option of attending a Small Woodlot Management seminar or Pasture Management seminar. The second session consists of Vegetable Production from GAPs to Marketing or Marketing Livestock Products seminars.

The different sessions are being taught by Purdue Extension Educators and Specialists. Registration for this event is required by March 16 to ensure adequate materials are available for all attendees. Registration costs are $5 per family. To register, persons may call 812-448-9041.

Visit the homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events:

March 10 -- Fruit Workshop, Morgan County Extension Office, 9 a.m.

March 14 -- Putnam County Ag Day Breakfast and Mini Farm Fest, 8 a.m.-noon, Fairgrounds.

March 16 -- Exploring 4-H rescheduled meeting, 6:30 p.m., Fairgrounds.

March 16 -- Junior Leader meeting, 7:30 p.m., Fairgrounds.

March 19 -- Regional Women in Ag Conference, 10 a.m., Fairgrounds.

March 19 -- Area Small Farms Clinic, 6-8 p.m., Fairgrounds.