The Diverse Corn Belt Project and Purdue Extension will host a free Vermillion County Diverse Farm Tour on August 4th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The tour will start at Royer Farm Fresh, Clinton, where the production of beef, pork, lamb and chicken from farm to consumers’ plates and management practices for all four species will be shared. In addition, aspects of selling meat including: butcher shop relations, pricing, paperwork and marketing will be discussed.
A free catered lunch will be provided at the Vermillion County 4-H Community Building, Cayuga Park, where Purdue University’s Dr. Ariana Torres will be discussing Marketing Diverse Ag Products.
The tour will conclude at Tarquini’s Fresh Produce, Perrysville, where participants will learn about all aspects of their primary focus of home-grown tomatoes (including washing/sorting/cooling); and how they have further diversified to include cucumbers, peppers, zucchinis, cut flowers, and much more.
Everyone is invited to this tour to explore opportunities for and barriers to adding more crops and grazed livestock to rotations in the Corn Belt, to seek concrete options for diversification and to understand the agronomic, economic, social, infrastructure and policy changes that could make them viable.
Contact Phil Cox, Purdue Extension, at 765-492-5330 or Phil Cox for special accommodations, interpreter/translator, or special dietary needs by July 22. To register contact the Vermillion County Extension Office at 765-492-5330 or Phil Cox by July 29th. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.