Purdue Ag Calendar

Weeks: 2/23/98-3/27/98

For additional information, call (765) 494-8396

FEB. 24-28: ADVANCED ORGANIC-BIODYNAMIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

This workshop will feature two sessions for growers who want to know more about organic vegetable production and marketing. It will be held at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, East Troy, Wis. Session I is Feb. 24-26, and Session II is Feb. 26-28. The workshop fee for each session is $75 plus $45 for meals. There is a 10 percent discount for those who attend both sessions. Fees must be paid in advance and are nonrefundable after Feb. 23. CONTACT: Gail Kahovic at MFAI, (414) 642-3303, or Purdue vegetable specialist Liz Maynard at (219) 989-2013.

FEB. 25-MARCH 19: MANURE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS

Livestock waste handling specialists from the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and Indiana Department of Environmental Management agricultural liaison Brian Daggy are holding a series of free workshops around Indiana to help livestock producers comply with the new state requirements for manure management. Topics include a regulations update, soil and manure sampling, new IDEM inspection procedures, and on-farm record keeping of manure disposal. For specific times and locations (some of which are intended to serve producers in multiple counties), contact the appropriate Extension educators. The remaining schedule:

Feb. 25, Wabash County, Vince Harrell, (219) 563-0661 Ext. 41
Feb. 25, Marshall County, Ralph Booker, (219) 935-8545
Feb. 26, White and Carroll counties, Greg Bossaer, (219) 583-7442
March 17, Pike County, Ken Salkeld, (812) 354-6838
March 19 , Howard County, Bob McCormick, (765) 456-2313

CONTACT: Extension specialist Don Jones, (765) 494-1178

FEB. 26: COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION

How to make money for your business, making hanging baskets, and attracting the eye of the customer are topics included in the Spring Growers School at the Heartland Growers Greenhouse in Westfield, near Noblesville. Registration fees are $30 per person and $20 per additional person from the same firm. Register with Indiana Flower Growers Association, Terri Kirk, Purdue University, 1165 Horticulture Bldg., West Lafayette, IN 47907-1165. CONTACT: Allen Hammer, professor of horticulture, (765) 494-1335; e-mail, pah@hort.purdue.edu

FEB. 26-27: NATIONAL ALFALFA SYMPOSIUM

Alfalfa grazing, pest management, marketing and a farmer panel, "Alfalfa in My Farming Operation," are featured topics at the annual event in Bowling Green, Ky. Also to be discussed are recent developments affecting the alfalfa/forage industry. Advance registration is $35 for one day and $50 for both days. Registration at the door is $40 for one day and $60 for both days. CONTACT: Purdue forage specialist Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800; e-mail, johnson@dept.agry.purdue.edu

FEB. 27: ANNUAL INDIANA MINT GROWERS SCHOOL

The school begins at 8 a.m. at Christo's Banquet Hall, 830 E. Lincolnway, Plymouth, Ind. There will be a cocktail party Feb. 26 at the Holiday Inn, 2550 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Call the Holiday Inn by Feb. 25 for reservations for the cocktail party and for lodging. Reservations for the Mint Growers School are $15 and can be made by calling Ralph Booker, Marshall County Extension educator, at (219) 935-8545.

FEB. 27-APRIL 7: ESTATE AND BUSINESS TRANSFER PLANNING SEMINARS

This two-part seminar is for farm families, small business owners, landowners and professionals assisting with estate and business transferring. The first part features an explanation of the new federal gift, estate and income tax law. The second part discusses special features, considerations and tools for transfer of a family business. The registration deadlines and fees vary. Contact your county Extension office for details. The schedule:

Feb. 27: LaPorte County, Walt Sell, (219) 326-6808
March 4: Vigo County, Stacye Firestone, (812) 462-3371
March 6: Dekalb County, Tom Fickholtz, (219) 925-2562
March 10 and 12: Tippecanoe County, Scott Rumble, (765) 494-8170
March 17: Ripley County, Dan Baugh, (812) 346-5209
March 17 and 24: Clark County, David Trotter, (812) 256-4591
March 18: Martin County, Jeff Hash, (812) 247-3041
March 26 and 31: Jennings County, Dan Baugh, (812)346-5209
April 2 and 7: Hendricks County, Ed Sheldon, (317) 745-9260

CONTACT: Gerry Harrison, (888) 398-4636; e-mail, harrison@agecon.purdue.edu

MARCH 8-10: AMERICAN FORAGE AND GRASSLAND CONFERENCE

Sessions at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Indianapolis will cover forage production and use, environmental and wildlife issues, forage management, the economics of forage utilization, soil fertility and plant nutrition, and the genetic improvement of forages. A panel will discuss "Intensive Grazing -- Hope, Hype or Hysteria." Registration costs $85 for the first registrant and $35 for a spouse. Single-day and student registration costs $35. Walk-ins will pay a $15 late fee. An on-line registration form is at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/agronomy/ext/forages/news.htm. CONTACTS: Purdue forage specialist Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800; e-mail, johnson@dept.agry.purdue.edu, or Dana Tucker, (800) 944-2342.

MARCH 9: OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSHROOM PRODUCTION

This evening workshop will be at the Floyd County Extension office. Mushroom marketing and growing techniques will be shared by grower Dan Teague and Purdue specialist Ralph Green. This workshop costs $5. CONTACT: Roy Ballard, Floyd County Extension educator, (812) 948-3588; e-mail, roy@floyd.ces.purdue.edu

MARCH 11-12: TRI-STATE VEGETABLE GROWERS SCHOOL

This conference at the University Center in New Albany focuses on growing melons, pumpkins and peppers. Industry representatives and growers, such as pumpkin farmer Joe Huber Jr. of Starlight, Ind., will speak at the sessions on marketing skills. Other sessions will provide tips on choosing crop varieties, insect and disease management, and irrigation. Registration is $40 for the March 11 melon growers sessions, $20 for the March 12 half-day pumpkin growers sessions, and $20 for the March 12 half-day pepper growers sessions. A $10 late fee will be added to the registration fee after Feb. 27. CONTACT: Roy Ballard, Floyd County Extension educator, (812) 948-3588; e-mail, roy@floyd.ces.purdue.edu

MARCH 13-15: THE 1998 INDIANA GRAPE WINE SYMPOSIUM

This conference at the Convention Center in Bloomington, Ind., opens with a Friday night wine tasting. Saturday workshops begin at 8:30 a.m., and the day ends with a dinner at 7:30 p.m. Three Purdue University workshops are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Sunday: Enology with Richard Vine; Viticulture with Bruce Bordelon; and Marketing with Cheri Wagner. Sponsored by The Indiana Winegrowers Guild, The Indiana Wine Grape Council and Purdue University. Registration is $45 for members of the grape council, $55 for nonmembers. The Saturday dinner costs $35. CONTACT: Cheri Wagner, Indiana Wine Grape Council director of marketing, (317) 481-0222; fax, (317) 481-0240; e-mail: clw@ind.cioe.com

MARCH 26-27: RURAL CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP

This workshop is sponsored by Purdue's Breaking New Ground Resource Center, which assists people in agriculture who have disabilities. A half-day training session March 26 will be for the professional caregiver who works in rural areas. The session will include resource kits and a panel discussion by rural caregivers and families. Family caregivers will be the focus of a full-day of session March 27. Discussions will focus on how and where to ask for help, communication between the family and caregiver, and living wills and power of attorney. Cost is $85 for the first day and $40 for the second day. After March 5, there is a $20 late fee. Preregistration is required by March 20. To register, call (800) 825-4264. Scholarships are available to people with disabilities through the Indiana Governor's Council for People With Disabilities. For information about scholarships, call (317) 232-7770. CONTACT: Barry Delks, (765) 494-1221; e-mail, delks@ecn.purdue.edu

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

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