Small and medium-sized vegetable farms face unique challenges balancing profitability with sustainable production practices and food safety requirements. To better understand how these farmers navigate complex decision-making processes, the Soil to Market Team—comprising Maria Marshall, Renee Wiatt, Petrus Langenhoven, Betty Feng, and Nathan Shoaf—conducted a comprehensive survey of 500 small and medium-sized farmers across the…Read more about Understanding Farm Decision-Making: Insights from the 2024-2025 Producer Survey[Read More]
Petrus Langenhoven
Horticulture and Hydroponic Crop Specialist
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Petrus Langenhoven's website
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Petrus Langenhoven's website
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! August continues to deliver on its promise as the month of plenty! Here at the Meigs Horticulture facility in Lafayette, we’re harvesting abundant crops of eggplant (Figure 1) and bok choy (Figure 2), with watermelon harvests just around the corner. Harvest…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day proved that dedicated growers won’t let summer temperatures dampen their enthusiasm for learning. Despite the hot weather, 63 attendees gathered at the Purdue Student Farm yesterday to participate in comprehensive demonstrations and presentations focused on small-scale farming solutions. The event, co-hosted by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape…Read more about Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day Draws 63 Attendees Despite Summer Heat[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As hot and humid conditions persist across Indiana with heat indices soaring above 100°F this week, relief is on the horizon with cooler temperatures expected during the first week of August. While we navigate these challenging conditions, several critical issues demand…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Time is running out to secure your spot at this year’s most comprehensive small-scale farming educational event! The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day is just days away, and we’re excited to announce that whether you’re able to join us in person or connect from afar, you won’t miss out on this invaluable learning opportunity….Read more about Final Call: Don’t Miss the Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day – July 24th![Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As summer heat continues to challenge Indiana growers, this week’s edition provides essential guidance for managing the intensifying conditions ahead. With more heat waves expected and reference evapotranspiration significantly exceeding precipitation, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about drought-related impacts while addressing…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Indiana FSA State Newsletter Publication date: June 16, 2025 2025 County Committee Elections The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) opens nominations for county committee members on June 16, 2025, and encourages all farmers, producers, and FSA program participants to take part in the County Committee election nomination process. Elections will occur in…Read more about USDA Farm Service Agency -2025 County Committee Elections[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As summer heat intensifies across Indiana, this week’s edition provides timely guidance to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of the peak growing season. With temperatures running 6 to 13°F above normal and increased humidity triggering pop-up showers throughout the…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Mark your calendars for July 24, 2025 – the Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day promises to be an invaluable resource for small-scale farmers and urban growers across Indiana. The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, in partnership with the Purdue Student Farm, is hosting this comprehensive educational event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m….Read more about Discover Small-Scale Farming Solutions at Purdue’s Educational Field Day[Read More]
Summer cover crops offer clear benefits to vegetable growers and the environment. Cover cropping offers clear benefits to growers and the environment. It is a valuable opportunity to add organic material to the soil, and it increases soil carbon, enhances soil fertility and nitrogen cycling, reduces erosion, and helps to reduce weed pressure in subsequent…Read more about Summer Cover Crops for Improved Soil Health and Weed Management[Read More]