Agriculture organizations host Business After Hours

Friday, February 27, 2009
Melissa Archer serves rabbit and noodles to a Chamber Business After Hours attendee. This month's event, sponsored by the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, was hosted by the Putnam County Ag Week Committee.

Each month, the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce conducts a Business After Hours (BAH) program for local business members. The events are hosted by chamber members.

February's BAH was hosted by the Putnam County Ag Week Committee, Co-Alliance LLP and Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc. This was the first time that agricultural organizations had come together to host a BAH event locally.

Booths were staffed by several agricultural and commodity organizations offering various products. Beef, pork, lamb, honey, maple syrup, grain and dairy organizations were examples of groups invited to participate.

Additional booth support was provided by the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District and Sycamore Trails Resource and Conservation Development Council, Inc. Many participants had the opportunity to try items for the very first time.

Melissa Archer provided samples of rabbit noodles. Most would have believed that they were eating chicken and noodles had they not seen they were at a rabbit booth.

Members of the Indiana Goat Association provided samples of goat bratwurst where individuals learned that this iron rich meat had less fat than chicken while having great flavor.

A hors d'oeuvres display was catered by the Area 30 Culinary Arts program under the direction of Mary Birt. Featured items were beef, pork, lamb, grains, and a southwest relish.

Chocolate and whole milk were provided by Milk Promotion Services of Indiana Inc.

Putnam County agriculture is a 56 million dollar business.

The county ranks second for both sheep and goats in the state.

Rankings of other ag products relative to Indiana's 92 counties for Putnam County include: Hay 13th, chickens 15th, hogs 23rd, corn 34th, soybeans 36th and cattle 37th.

Putnam County Ag Week festivities will be held March 17-19. Contact Stacey Baird at 655-1234 or Heather Poynter at 739-6847 for details.

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