COLUMN: Purdue Extension - Thank you, Owen County

I am celebrating one year working in the Purdue Extension-Owen/Clay Agriculture position. The Owen News has helped me connect with folks from the community and provide a mechanism to share some of the resources Purdue University provides to the state. I enjoyed meeting and working with the Owen County Fair Association and Owen 4-H Council during the preparation for the 2024 county fair. I work with a great office team, and we really have some big plans for 2025. I am grateful for the Owen County government's fiscal support for providing us with new phones and funding to get our work done. So much to be thankful for!

Pollinator Program

Spring may know that your backyard can be turned to improve support for pollinating insects?

Spring Join us Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Owen County Extension Office meeting room. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Floyd County ANR Extension Educator Gina Anderson will share several ways to help you attract more pollinators. Call the Owen County Extension Office at 812-829-5020 to register for this free program. Special thanks to Owen County SWCD for co-sponsorship of this event.

PARP Program

Any farmers needing another PARP credit for their private pesticide applicator license can attend a program at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Dec. 9. Program time is 6 to 8:30 p.m. I am planning for a PARP event in Owen County during the first couple months of 2025.

Horse Pasture/Hay Program

Attention all horse owners: a special program is planned for you to attend and gain more information on improving your horse pasture in the coming spring and review hay quality considerations. This program will take place at the Owen County Extension Office room on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. I know most people were horses require an evening meeting, so we will hit the highlights and answer any questions you have about your pasture soil and fertility, weed control challenges and pasture management.

Master Gardener Program Series

It has been several years since it was offered, but we are launching a new training program for master gardeners. The program will be an evening program that will start on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 and run each Thursday evening through the end of April. Class times will be to 8:45 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds. This is a special discount for the first 12 persons who register for the program that reduces program cost to $120 per person. This program fee and time spent for the class are not minimal, so I will work to make the weekly program the best it can be. Each class will cover a gardening topic, ranging from vegetable gardening to soils to garden pest management. Register by contacting the Purdue Extension-Owen County Office at 812-829-5020, providing us with contact information, and we will provide the discount to first-come-first served.

Farm Succession Planning Series for Women in Agriculture

A new multi-state program will be offered to women in agriculture that addresses strategies to evaluate and improve farm estate and succession plans. The program is going to be four sessions at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Class dates are Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Program time is 6 to 9 p.m.

The program fee for all sessions is $60, with dinner provided to enhance the network of women in rural areas. More information about this program can be provided by contacting me on my cell at 812-236-6039.