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! As we move deeper into the growing season, this week’s newsletter brings you essential insights to help navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. From understanding what drives farm decision-making to managing the unpredictable weather patterns we’ve been experiencing, we’re covering the…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
For tomato growers, managing potassium (K) nutrition is critical for both yield and fruit quality. While most producers understand K’s importance, many don’t realize how significantly temperature influences a plant’s ability to uptake and utilize this essential nutrient. With increasing heat extremes, understanding this relationship becomes even more crucial for successful production. The Temperature-Potassium Connection…Read more about Temperature Effects on Potassium Uptake: Managing Heat Stress for Better Tomato Quality[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! In this issue, we bring you a diverse range of content to support your farming operations. We hope these insights help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of this critical time in the growing season. Growers and Purdue Extension Educators Your input…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! I can’t believe it is May already! The 8-14-day precipitation and temperature outlook is leaning below and above normal, respectively. Generally, the precipitation outlook for May is leaning towards below-normal levels. As many growers prepare to set out transplants in May,…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day, scheduled for July 24, 2025, will feature demonstrations and presentations designed to support small-scale farming. The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture will co-host the event with the Purdue Student Farm. Attendees can learn from Purdue University and Purdue Extension experts about topics such as small-scale farming hacks,…Read more about Small Farm Education Field Day Will Feature New Research, Live Demonstrations and Purdue Experts[Read More]
The Clearspring Produce Auction is located just 2 miles south of US 20 in Clearspring Township in the Heart of the LaGrange-Elkhart Amish Settlement. It is within easy driving distance of the towns of Shipshewana, Topeka, Emma, and LaGrange. Produce is sold three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) throughout most of the growing…Read more about Clearspring Produce Auction Price Update[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As spring field activities continue to be limited by the recent wet conditions, we have several timely updates to share. In this issue, we explore the impact of organic matter on chlorine sanitizers in postharvest washing, spotlight the troublesome Lygus bugs…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop…Read more about USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers to Enroll in Key Safety Net Programs by April 15[Read More]