You may be seeing a few “stink bug-like” insects crawling around on your cucurbit crops this time of year. However, these slightly more slender insects are not stink bugs, they are actually squash bugs. Similarly to stink bugs though, they do give off quite an odor when crushed! Squash bug adults and nymphs (immatures) (Figures…Read more about Do You Need to Squash those Bugs on Your Pumpkins?[Read More]
As the days grow shorter and those of you who adventure into winter production begin to prepare your seed starts, keep an eye out for unwanted invaders. Pests such as thrips, mites and aphids may be on the move as our field production dwindles, and nothing is tastier than a tiny new plant! In order…Read more about Considerations as You Prepare for Winter Production[Read More]
Many vegetable growers are closing in on the final harvest. Several growers have asked me about fungicide applications late in the season. In this article, I want to address when to stop. To limit the scope of this article, I will concentrate on tomato, cantaloupe and watermelon crops. These are crops where the fruit is…Read more about When to Stop Spraying Fungicide[Read More]
Please join us for the grand opening of the Purdue Extension Food Safety Training Hub, located in the newly constructed Vincennes University Agricultural Center. Located on Highway 41 adjacent to SWPAC, the new facility features lab and office space, a large postharvest research area, classroom and audio-visual room for use in food safety programming. The…Read more about Purdue Extension Food Safety Training Hub Open House[Read More]
Purdue Extension is planning educational sessions for the Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium (Jan. 7, 2020 in Schererville), Indiana Horticultural Conference (Feb. 11-13, 2020, in Indianapolis), and others. Your suggestions for topics and speakers that will be useful for your operation help us plan the programs. Phone (219) 548-3674, email emaynard@purdue.edu or text (219) 508-1644 your…Read more about Planning for Educational Programs is Underway: What do You Want to Hear?[Read More]
Farmer Rancher Program This program is for farmers/ranchers to explore innovative sustainable agriculture solutions to production, marketing, labor, and other problems. This grant is offered as individual ($9,000 maximum), team of two farmers or ranchers ($18,000 maximum), or group ($27,000 maximum). Projects may last up to 24 months. Proposals are due December 5, 2019. Interested…Read more about Grant Opportunities from NC-SARE[Read More]
The initial cool wave of September is likely over as we welcome warmer temperatures for the next several weeks. The Climate Prediction Center is showing strong confidence for above-normal temperatures through September 24rd, which should help accumulate growing degree days and move agricultural production further along (Figure 1). Outlooks are showing significant probabilities for above-normal…Read more about Indiana Climate and Weather Report[Read More]
Northwest Indiana Food Council 2019 FarmHop: Local Farm Tour Date: September 21, 2019, 9 to 4 pm Central Time Location: Valparaiso or Gary, IN Valparaiso, IN departure – This widely diverse tour will take you to a lively family farm with nearly 600 egg-laying chickens; an organic tilapia farm; a biodynamic farm producing vegetables, fruits,…Read more about Upcoming Events[Read More]
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