sealPurdue State Fair Tips
_____

August 6-17, 1997

The Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 6-17 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Here are some story ideas.

4-H director's 13th state fair to be his last

"Fair, firm, friendly and consistent" is the philosophy of Indiana's state 4-H department head, who retires effective Sept. 1. The 1997 Indiana State Fair -- his 13th -- is his last in his official capacity. Talk to Maurice Kramer and find out where 4-H has been and where it's headed.
CONTACT: Maurice Kramer, (765) 494-8422; (317) 927-7650 at the state fair

Best numbers for ag research in 20 years

Purdue Dean of Agriculture Victor Lechtenberg says the budget for agricultural research and extension unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate ag committee are the most encouraging he's seen in two decades. Ask him why an investment in research is an important safety net for American farmers.

Lechtenberg will be at various State Fair events, including Farmers' Day.
CONTACTS: Victor Lechtenberg, (765) 494-8392
Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; (765) 427-3560 at the state fair

Pick a peck of pest-ridden peppers? Don't despair

Don't know when to plant petunias or prune pines? Volunteers from the Indiana Master Gardeners Association will answer gardening questions at the Indiana State Fair, and publications with gardening tips are available at their exhibit, located in the Our Land Pavilion. The Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab also will be there with samples of insect and disease problems in plants. The public is welcome to come in with plant and pest questions, and experts from the lab will be available to answer.
CONTACTS: Rosie Lerner, (765) 494-1311
Peggy Sellers, (765) 494-8081

Electric Agriculture

The latest piece of farm machinery is a 200 Megahertz PC and an Internet hookup. Purdue University Extension specialists Dave Petritz and Eldon Fredericks are holding cyber-surfing exercises for farmers and others at a bank of computers in the Our Land Pavilion. A recently released USDA report says 37 percent of 62,000 Indiana farms have access to computers, 16 percent use computers regularly for farm business, and 10 percent are connected to the Internet. For Purdue, the Web is one more important way to help Hoosiers tap into their land-grant university.
CONTACT: Dave Petritz, (765) 427-1203 at the state fair

Indiana barn book author to appear at Pioneer Village

Purdue plant pathologist Don Scott, author and chief photographer of "Barns of Indiana," is at the State Fair to talk about the classic barns that once dominated the Indiana landscape. Scott will be available to autograph his books at the book sales area in the Pioneer Village from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 9, 10 and 13 and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12. Proceeds from the $40 book benefit the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association's scholarship fund for agriculture students. The book was sponsored by Beck's Superior Hybrids Inc. of Atlanta, Ind.
CONTACTS: Don Scott, (765) 494-4627
Donya Lester, (765) 494-8593

'Vegamatic' salesmen move over -- make room for 4-H Action Demos

Get a lesson from a 4-H'er on how to do anything from decorating a cake to training your pet. The Action Demonstration events give the public the opportunity to "learn by doing," the motto of 4-H. They also give the 4-H'ers a chance to hone their public speaking skills and show their mastery of a stunning variety of topics. More than 150 young people will participate this year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 6-10, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall.
CONTACT: Carl Broady, (317) 927-7650 at the state fair

Youths learn lessons in leadership at conference

Move over old fogies, about 90 16- to 19-year-olds will be learning about leadership at the Youth Leadership Conference during the Indiana State Fair. The young people will tour the Capitol building and Government Center and have a mock legislative session in the legislative chambers. They'll tour the Eli Lilly Center and talk to scientists about careers, participate in multicultural activities, and tour historic homes. They also spend two days with 10- to 11-year-olds from Indy's public housing areas. The conference lasts through Saturday, Aug. 9.
CONTACTS: Mary Pilat, (765) 494-6871; (317) 920-6329 at the state fair
Jeff Johns, (317) 920-6329 at state fair

Compiled by Nevy Papazian and Andrea McCann. Contact Andrea at (765) 494-8406 if you need more information or assistance in reaching the specialists above.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

* To the Purdue News and Photos Page