We conduct standard seedless watermelon variety trials at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center each year. In a separate trial, we evaluate mini seedless watermelon varieties. Mini watermelons refer to fruit ranging from 4.4 to 8.8 lbs, although the industry considers 6-7 lbs fruits ideal. Fruit in a wide range of sizes is suitable to sell at[Read More…]
Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers annual meeting will be held in French Lick Resort & Casino on March 11, 2022, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Topics include – Research updates on nitrogen management in watermelon production; – What do we know about growing strawberries on plasticulture system in southern Indiana; – Extension produce[Read More…]
Indiana Hort Conference & Expo will be held virtually across nine Tuesdays and Thursdays in February, at 2 – 4 pm beginning Feb. 1, next Tuesday. Here is the link to the full schedule, topics and speakers: https://www.indianahortconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IHC2022_Virtual_Schedule.pdf The webinar series is free, please register at http://www.indianahortconference.org/ PARP will be available for 3 of these[Read More…]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses is[Read More…]
The grant is for small businesses and nonprofits to cover COVID-related expenses such as workplace safety measures e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs. Application due 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 22, 2021. Applications must be submitted[Read More…]
Date: November 18, 2021, 5:00 pm (EST) Location: 4207 Purdue Rd, Vincennes, IN 47591. Purdue Extension Food Safety Training Hub, in the newly constructed Vincennes University Agricultural Center, located on highway 41 adjacent to Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center. The Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers Winter Meeting will be back in person in 2021! Note the new[Read More…]