Dear Valued Vegetable Crops Hotline Readers, Welcome to the second edition of the 2026 Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter! 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 upcoming issues, we’ll cover several critical topics, including emerging pest challenges, innovative…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Vegetable Crops - General
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training The Safe Produce Indiana team will host two Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Trainings in April and May. An in-person training will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at the Bartholomew County Extension Office in Columbus, IN. A remote training will be held on Thursday, May 7. The cost of attendance is…Read more about Upcoming Produce Food Safety Programming Offered by Safe Produce Indiana[Read More]
Extension professionals from the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department and the Diversified Farming and Food Systems Team hosted the first-ever combined Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, March 3-5, 2026. With a total of 64 educational sessions, 22 research posters, and several demonstrations to choose from over…Read more about Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference[Read More]
Michigan State University Extension will offer 6 one-hour sessions on a wide variety of irrigation related topics on March 5, as part of the MI Ag Ideas to Grow With webinar series. The topics vary with emphasis on large scale field crop management, water policy in the Midwest, and new horticulture irrigation practices. The Irrigation…Read more about Irrigation Day Webinar Series to be offered on March 5, 2026[Read More]
The original news release was published by the USDA on February 13, 2026. (Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through…Read more about USDA Announces Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions[Read More]
The Sustainable Horticulture Lab at Purdue University, together with Old Capitol Farm and Burgess Draft Logging and Lumber, brings you a hands-on introductory workshop on the fundamentals of farming with horses – from handling to harnessing to hitching. Date: April 11, 2026 Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Location: Corydon, IN Cost: $15/person Local lunch…Read more about Workshop: Fundamentals of Farming with Horses April 11[Read More]
Dear Valued Vegetable Crops Hotline Readers, Welcome to the first edition of the 2026 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…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Safe Produce Indiana team will host two Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Trainings in March. An in-person training will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at the Elkhart County Extension Office in Goshen, IN. A remote, Spanish-language training will be held on Thursday, March 12. The cost of attendance is $20 and includes a certificate of course completion,…Read more about Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – March 11[Read More]
Keeping produce safe and meeting buyers’ and regulatory expectations starts with strong cleaning and sanitation practices. Farms that implement proper procedures not only protect public health but also improve efficiency and build trust with customers. To help growers and farm workers strengthen these skills, we invite you to join us on March 25th from 1:00 PM…Read more about Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop – March 25[Read More]
This Tri-state high tunnel school webinar series is organized by Extension educators and specialists from three states: Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Different topics are designed for Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced high-tunnel growers. All sessions will be hosted via Zoom every Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm Eastern Time from February 25 to April 1, 2026. The webinars are…Read more about Tri-State High Tunnel School Webinar Series[Read More]