As produce bounties are harvested this summer, many growers may explore options to transform excess perishable products into value-added goods such as baked goods, jams and jellies, and more. Current Indiana regulations allow individuals to make certain products in their home kitchen and sell those direct-to-consumer as a home-based vendor (HBV). However, there are several…Read more about Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook Now Available[Read More]
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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]
The Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris) is a striking ground-dwelling beetle known for its metallic green sheen and ferocious predatory behavior. Native to Europe but with several North American relatives (e.g., Cicindela sexguttata), this beetle belongs to the family Carabidae within the order Coleoptera (Figure 1). It is commonly found in dry, sandy habitats, including…Read more about Green Tiger Beetles: Ferocious Little Hunters of the Ground[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]
Spring is in full swing in our research high tunnels at Purdue. Overwintering strawberries that we planted in September are now in full bloom and fruits are being harvested. But as temperatures increase and crops become more productive, we also see the emergence of various insect pests. Aphids, amongst other soft-bodied insect pests (e.g., whiteflies,…Read more about Observations on the Companion Plant: Sweet Alyssum[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 Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) is one of the eight Purdue Agricultural Centers located across Indiana. What makes SWPAC unique is its location in the heart of Indiana’s watermelon-growing region—home to one of the state’s most significant specialty crop industries. In addition to watermelon and cantaloupe, southern Indiana is known for its diverse fruit…Read more about Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center Field Day Set for June 26[Read More]
Date/Time: Session #1 6/16/2025 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CDT) Session #2 6/17/2025 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CDT) Registration Deadline: 6/16/2025 1:00 PM (CDT) Fee: No Fee Register HERE https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/17091 Point of Contact: Catherine King (812) 425-7232 Program Format: Multi-session Course Training Topics: Agribusiness, Buy/Sell Business, Legal Issues, Managing a Business Description ***This is an online-only event.*** Secure…Read more about Succession Planning Basics for Farmers (2-part live webinar series)[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]
I monitor three different insect pests with pheromone traps to help make informed decisions about when to spray insecticides or take other actions for management. Trap data can be found on the Extension Entomology Vegetables Website. The longest running is the corn earworm (Figure 1) trapping network. Participation in this network entails installing a cone-shaped…Read more about Annual Call for Insect Trappers[Read More]
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