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]
3As Indiana enters the prime transplanting window for warm-season crops, vegetable producers must prepare transplants for successful field establishment. With variable spring weather conditions across the state, proper hardening and planting techniques are essential for minimizing losses and ensuring quick establishment. This article outlines critical management practices for growers preparing vegetable transplants for field conditions….Read more about Preparing Vegetable Transplants for Indiana Field Conditions[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to issue 750, the third edition of the 2025 Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter! Indiana has undoubtedly experienced a stormy couple of weeks. I hope you all are doing well. Purdue Extension has a great resource to help you prepare for extreme events https://www.purdue.edu/engineering/ABE/INPREPared/. Next week, temperatures across the state might…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Purdue Ag Center is seeking a Specialty Crops Systems Specialist. In this role, you will provide expertise and assistance to faculty and graduate students in the Departments of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Botany and Plant Pathology, Entomology, and others by implementing and maintaining applied field research trials related to fruit, vegetable and specialty crops…Read more about Horticulture Research Manager Position at Purdue University[Read More]
2024 Field Trial Shows Yield Differences Between Italian and Asian Cultivars As part of Purdue University’s Field Production of Horticulture Crops class, Dr. Langenhoven established a comprehensive eggplant cultivar demonstration at the Meigs Horticulture Facility near Lafayette during the 2024 growing season. This hands-on educational project served a dual purpose: providing students practical crop management…Read more about Italian vs. Asian Eggplant Cultivars: Performance Comparison for Indiana Commercial Production[Read More]
After a family vacation to Jamaica in 2023, Dr. Langenhoven at Purdue University recognized the potential for Scotch Bonnet peppers as a high-value specialty crop for diversification on Indiana farms. This led to a 2024 research trial at the Meigs Horticulture Facility (Throckmorton Purdue Ag Center) near Lafayette to evaluate the commercial production potential of…Read more about Specialty Crop Opportunity: First-Year Results of Scotch Bonnet Pepper Trials[Read More]







