Last week, a team of Purdue Extension educators hosted another successful Rooted and Resilient: Homesteading Conference in Kendallville that brought in over 40 participants. Three HLA Extension specialists shared their expertise at the conference in sessions that connected practical gardening topics with sustainable practices.
Miranda Purcell presented “Backyard Berries & Grapes: Small Fruits, Big Rewards,” highlighting how to successfully grow small fruits in home gardens.
Karen Mitchell led “Rooted Beginnings: Mastering Plant Starts at Home,” focusing on seed propagation and addressing common challenges.
Ashley Adair wrapped up the team’s contributions with “From Scraps to Soil: Mastering Composting and Organic Production,” an engaging session on composting principles and ways to reduce waste while improving soil health.