COLUMN: Purdue Extension - Looking forward to a good year in 2025

I am looking forward to working for Purdue Extension-Owen County in 2025. I have set some goals for the coming year that I hope provide benefits to the community and justify the county expenditure. If you have items you would like to see provided by Purdue Extension-Owen County, please contact me at luzar@purdue.edu or call 812-829-5020.

Client Visits

I want to visit more farms, landowners and homesteads in 2025. This may involve identifying causal factors of plant and animal problems, identifying opportunities such as farm succession or new enterprise development. I may have to reach out to a campus specialist, but I am the "boots on the ground" to make contact in the field. There is no charge for a farm visit. Your tax dollars help support this service!

I have a few new tools in the office to assist clients: soil probe, compaction tester, bush honeysuckle puller and forage probe. Many of these items can be checked out like a library book.

Purdue on the Farm

On-farm applied research is useful to address issues like nutrient management, pest control and cropping practices. Purdue on the Farm is a client-based program that tracks crop progress through the growing season. I would like to cooperate with two farmers in Owen County in 2025. Again, this program is not fee based.

Indiana Master Naturalist Program

I plan on hosting a class series in April/May of 2025 in Spencer. Class time will be 9 a.m. until noon. Please let me know if you are interested and would like more information.

Owen County 4-H Program

My goal is to assist Cassie Abrell and the complement of 4-H volunteers with subject matter materials and educational support. I will be demonstrating the garden and floriculture projects for the 4-H Project Fair set for Jan. 12. See Cassie's article for more details.

Field Days

I want to promote an on-site field day each quarter of 2025. Pond management, woodland stewardship, pasture management and conservation practices are topics that clients have expressed interest in.

These projects have a natural partnership with the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District and Owen County Farm Bureau. Again, if you have ideas, please let me know.

With respect to customer service, I want to be the best Extension educator in agriculture Owen County can access. My goal is to return emails and phone calls each week and not "drag out" response time. If I need to secure additional intel, I promise to be as prompt as possible.

January Ag Dates

Jan. 7 – IBCA Area 5 Beef meeting at Hilltop Restaurant.

Jan. 14 – Backyard Poultry Program at the Brazil Public Library.

Jan. 16 – Owen County Homesteaders, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Owen County Public Library.

Jan. 22 – Purdue Small Farm Resources Lunch and Learn, 11 a.m. to noon, in the Purdue Extension-Owen County Office meeting room.

Jan. 30 – Purdue Extension Master Gardener Class starts, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Purdue Extension-Clay County Office.