Upcoming horticulture education opportunities

The horticulture industry encompasses a variety of different areas including forestry, gardening, the production of wine and grassland management. It’s hard to be the best and know everything about all the different topic areas within the horticulture industry. Therefore, partnering with organizations and other Extension Offices, Purdue Extension in Putnam County is pleased to be offering several events in the coming months related to horticulture.

Please continue reading below to learn about the different events you can attend:

Fall Forestry Workshop

On Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. there will be a Fall Forestry Workshop at Dogwood Springs (8675 S. State Road 243, Cloverdale). This program will feature a walking tour of a local forest, information on working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), birds of the forest, wildlife habitat and invasive species ID and control.

This event will be outdoors and will require some walking as we explore the forest. Please plan appropriately.

The program includes lunch and will cost $5. We ask individuals to register by Sept. 25 at dogwoodsprinsnow@gmail.com. There is shelter available in the event of a weather issue.

This event is sponsored by Dogwood Springs, Sycamore Trails RC&D, Quail Forever, Purdue Extension, and the Putnam County SWCD.

Explore the World of Gardening!

Join Purdue Extension for an evening of gardening. On Monday, Sept. 30 from 6-8:30 p.m., the Clay County Fairgrounds (6656 State Road 59, Brazil) will be hosting the Explore the World of Gardening program. Participants in this program will learn about year-round flowers and other hot topics in horticulture. This program will feature Carol Michel, gardener and avid presenter to garden clubs and associations. Carol has authored four books including “Potted and Pruned: Living a Gardening Life” and “Homegrown and Handpicked: A Year in a Gardening Life.”

The cost to attend this program is $15. Light refreshments will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please register online at www.cvent.com/d/xyqd7L.

Please contact the Clay County Extension office at 812-448-9041 or email rfbruner@purdue.edu if you have any questions or need reasonable accommodations.

Learn to Burn: Grassland Management Workshop

A grassland management workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Miller Woods in Parke County (3505 E. CR 500 South, Rockville). If you have USDA Conservation Reserve Program fields or other native warm-season grasses on your property or you are interested in prescribed fire and other grassland management tools for quail and other wildlife management, then this workshop is for you.

This workshop will cover CRP and Mid-Contract Management options, including herbicide, interseeding, and disking, as well as prescribed fire planning, safety, equipment and a demonstration burn (weather permitting).

Registration is $10 per person and includes lunch. For more details and to register visit https://learntoburnparkecounty.eventbrite.com. Space is limited and pre-registration is requested by Sept. 27.

This workshop is being sponsored by Parke County SWCD, Purdue Extension, Quail Forever – Wabash Valley Chapter, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Contact Phil Cox, Purdue Extension – Vermillion County, at 765-492-5330 orcox119@purdue.edu or Kurt Lanzone at 765-569-3176 or klanzone@purdue.edu with any questions.

From Vine to Wine Education Program

Purdue Extension will be hosting a wine education program at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds Community Building in Cayuga Park (325 W. Maple St., Cayuga) on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. The “From Vine to Wine” event will introduce participants to growing grapes and wine making in Indiana.

Indiana has over 650 acres of wine grapes in production with over 70 wineries that produce over 1 million gallons of wine each year. During this program, Vermillion County viticulturist and vintner Justin McLain of Windy Ridge Vineyard & Winery will share his adventures in growing grapes and wine making.

McLain will also share about the State Line Wine Trail, of which he is president. In addition, sponsorship and wine tasting are courtesy of Windy Ridge Vineyard & Winery.

This free event is for any adult 21 and over who is interested in learning about Indiana grapes and wines. Seating is limited to the first 40 to register by October 17.

To register online, go to https://bit.ly/2Hpli6S or call the Vermillion County Extension Office at 765-492-5330 or email cox119@purdue.edu.

Visit our 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. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 6 – My Record of Achievement due

Sept. 16 – Extension Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Extension Office

Sept. 18 – SWCD Locally Led Meeting, 6 p.m., SWCD Office

Sept. 19 – NCBA CLUSA Farmer-to-Farmer: Your Key to International Agriculture webinar, noon, Register at https://tinyurl.com/y83ma4k4

Sept. 28 – Fall Forestry Workshop, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $5, Dogwood Springs, registration required

Sept. 30 – Explore the World of Gardening!, 6 p.m., $15, Clay County Fairgrounds, registration required