Conference to explore new market opportunities for farmers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Farmers, agribusiness operators, policymakers and financial professionals can learn about opportunities to supplement farm income, manage farm finances and expand into growing markets at a conference presented by Purdue Extension and the community development organization Dubois Strong.

The 2016 Southwest Indiana Agriculture Economic Summit will be held Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT at the Huntingburg Event Center, 200 E. 14th St., Huntingburg. Registration is free and open to the public.

Session topics will highlight opportunities in growing markets such as local foods, renewable energy, and livestock and poultry farming, as well as federal programs available for small and new farmers, said Purdue Extension educator Kenneth Eck.

“In these challenging economic times, with high land rents and low commodity prices, we will be talking about alternative things people can do on their farms to make ends meet,” said Eck, who will speak at the summit. Other speakers come from Purdue Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, Indiana Farm Bureau and Farbest Foods, Inc.

The conference includes the Managing for 2017 and Beyond Crop Workshop, which will take place immediately after lunch and includes sessions on making long-term cash rent decisions and managing crop inputs and yields. Purdue agricultural economist Chris Hurt will present a long-range outlook on the futures of the agricultural and livestock sectors during the lunch session.

In addition to helping farmers incorporate new ventures into their operations, the sessions will alert financial advisers and policymakers to ways they can support farmers and agribusinesses in their communities and state.

“The big thing that many grain farmers are concerned about is low commodity prices, which are linked to contracts and rental processes,” Eck said. “We’re expecting low prices for a while, so we’re trying to help with their financial concerns in any way we can and help them keep going until prices turn around.”

For more information or to register for the summit, contact Eck at 812-482-1782 or kjeck@purdue.edu. Registration is open until Nov. 4.           

Writer: Jessica Merzdorf, 765-494-7719, jmerzdor@purdue.edu 

Source: Kenneth Eck, 812-482-1782, kjeck@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Darrin Pack, dpack@purdue.edu 
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