Dear Valued VCH Readers,
Welcome to the first edition of the 2025 Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter! As we begin this new growing season, I’m excited to continue our tradition of providing timely, research-based information to support Indiana’s vegetable-growing community.
Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver crucial updates on pest management, production practices, food safety, and marketing opportunities that directly impact your farming operations.
In the coming issues, we’ll cover several critical topics, including emerging pest challenges, innovative irrigation management strategies, the latest developments in high tunnel production, and much more. We’ll also feature updates on food safety regulations affecting our vegetable industry.
Growers and Purdue Extension Educators, your input and expertise make this newsletter a truly useful resource. If you have hot topics you’d like us to cover, success stories to share, or questions for our Extension specialists, please get in touch with us at plangenh@purdue.edu or contact the specialist directly. We also welcome high-quality photos of pest issues, unusual symptoms, or innovative production practices you’ve implemented on your farm.
Subscription Information
Hard Copy Subscribers
A hard copy of the first 2025 issue is sent to all who subscribed to VCH via US-mail in 2024 and all new subscribers for 2025. To continue receiving future copies through US-mail, 2024 subscribers must renew their Hotline subscriptions using the form enclosed in your envelope. Don’t know which year you subscribed for? Check the envelope you receive this newsletter in. The year that your subscription is paid through is at the bottom right-hand corner of your envelope.
If you need a hard copy subscription form and don’t have access to the internet, please contact your nearest Purdue Extension office. Extension Educators, please download the hard-copy subscription form at HERE.
Digital Subscribers
If you receive the newsletter via email, you do not need to take any action. You will continue to receive the newsletter on the issue date.
New digital subscribers can register their email address HERE
In addition, digital subscribers receive emails with information about articles or announcements that need your immediate attention. These articles will be posted under Hot Topics on the VCH webpage and will be included in the next issue. All previous articles published in the VCH newsletter are available on the VCH website (https://vegcropshotline.org/).
Website Links in Newsletter Articles
Frequently, we include links to websites or publications available online. If you can’t access these resources, don’t hesitate to contact your local Purdue Extension office or us to request a hard copy of the information.
Midwest Vegetable Production Guide
The 2025 Midwest Vegetable Production guide is now available for growers to visit online at mwveguide.org, or you can download and print a guide from your computer at mwveguide.org/guide. The guide can also be purchased for $15 a copy. Contact your Extension Office or Stephen Meyers (slmeyeres@purdue.edu) directly to buy a copy.
Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports
Are you still considering purchasing vegetable seeds? The Midwest Vegetable Trial Report features many articles to help you make an informed decision. The resource also hosts production-related research results.
Here’s to a productive and prosperous growing season ahead!
Best regards,
Petrus Langenhoven
Clinical Assistant Professor and Vegetable Extension Specialist
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University