Saturday, August 5, 2017

Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair

The 2017 Indiana State Fair celebrates the Wonderful World of Food. Between the numerous food options and attractions, it can be hard to decide where to spend your time. Check out the top 12 things to do at the 2017 Indiana State Fair! 
               
Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair

12. Be Happy and Healthy
This year, Purdue Extension looks to the future with a series of exhibits focused on helping people make easy, everyday choices to develop healthier bodies and stronger communities. The exhibits are: Be Heart Smart; Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces; Indiana Soundscapes; Indiana’s Climate Crossroads; and Where Food Waste Goes.

11.  Quality over Quantity
Managed by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, Pathway to Water Quality will feature a model watershed that explains how land “sheds” excess water and what that means for Hoosier. The exhibit contains practical displays and information for anyone who uses the land.


10.  Get Cooking
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is hosting an Indiana Grown Culinary Competition, where competitors will create dishes using a variety of Indiana Grown products for a cash prize. The Indiana FFA Country Market also sells all Indiana Grown products that can be used for favorite recipes.

9.  What’s the Beef
Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s featured food for 2017 is the Cattlemen’s Choice Sandwich. This pairs a USDA Choice Boneless Hoosier Ribeye Steak and hardwood smoked beef brisket. After grilling, the Hoosier Ribeye Steak is topped with smoked brisket and piled high on a bun ready for the condiment of choice.


8. Eat Up
Enjoy Indiana Farm Bureau’s Taste from Indiana Farms event (Aug. 15-17),  where fairgoers can sample Indiana commodities of all kinds!

7. Take the ride of your life
Enjoy the rides at the midway which are powered entirely by Soy Biodiesel. Indiana Farmers feed you and fuel your fun!


6. Don’t Chicken Out
Rose Acres Farm is hosting daily activities for children and adults to learn more about agriculture, including agricultural trivia and baby chicks on display each weekend. There will also be several food demonstrations hosted by Rose Acres during the second week of the fair.


5. Go Hog Wild
Indiana Pork Farmers will welcome guests to three pork tents located in front of the Swine Barn, the Cattle Barn and near Pioneer Village. Guests can enjoy pork burgers, chops, loins and this year’s new item — the Peanut Butter Pineapple Pork Burger.


4.Enjoy the Little Things
This year, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council is sponsoring Little Hands on the Farm, an interactive mock farm where children “harvest” products, receive “money” for their work and even buy food at the mock grocery store.

3. Have a Dairy Good Time
The American Dairy Association of Indiana is featuring a Root Beer Float Shake and their signature sandwich, The Mousetrap. The Mousetrap grilled cheese is on Texas toast with Havarti, Colby-jack and Cheddar cheeses. Trying these items will certainly make for a dairy good time.



2. See the World From a New Lens
This year, the Indiana Soybean Alliance will offer new virtual reality glasses where attendees can see the look of a modern swine farm. The Glass Barn also offers daily farmer chats at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. where you can chat live with Indiana Farmers and ask them about their daily practices.

1. Hit the Trail

Indiana Family of Farmers’ recipe trail has seven locations where those participating can stop to collect recipe cards. At each stop, fair-goers have the opportunity to learn new information about Indiana agriculture. Participants can visit any of the Indiana State Fair information booths with all seven recipes to receive a small prize for participating. 







Thursday, February 16, 2017

Video Contest - What Does the Future of Agriculture Mean to You?

Students in grades six through 12 are encouraged to consider tomorrow’s food, feed and fuel supply for a video contest that asks, 'What does the future of agriculture mean to you?



“This contest is a great way for students to think creatively about agriculture, one of the state’s most important industries,” Lauren Taylor, Ag Day committee chairman for Indiana’s Family of Farmers, the contest sponsor, said. “We’re excited to see how students imagine the future and how it will affect their lives.”

The video contest is part of Indiana’s celebration of Indiana Ag Day, March 21. From its farms – both big and small – to innovative researchers and agricultural companies, Indiana has continued to lead the way in providing a safe, stable and affordable food supply that feeds a growing population. Through the contest, students are challenged to think about what could be accomplished in the future and how it will affect them. The resulting video must be 30 seconds to one minute long.

The entry process and a full list of guidelines may be found online at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/videocontest.html. All videos that meet the guidelines will be presented on the Indiana’s Family of Farmers website, where the public may vote on their favorite.

The competition is divided into two categories: sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. The entry deadline is Feb. 27. Entries will be judged on how well the video conveys the theme; the video’s ability to gain attention and make a lasting impression; overall quality, including characteristics such as creativity, uniqueness, accuracy, persuasiveness, clarity, and visual and audio production; and popular vote.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category. First place receives a GoPro Hero+ video camera. Second place wins $150, while third place will receive $50.


All winners will be invited to attend a special recognition ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on March 21 in celebration of Indiana Ag Day.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

8 Freezer Meal Recipes

Recently we hosted a Freezer Meal Day for some of our farm wife friends. Freezer meals are great for busy nights and help make sure your family has a nutritious meal on the table while saving you money.



That's right, freezer meals can be very affordable when you prepare and plan ahead, buy your ingredients in bulk and best of all; they keep your family out of the drive thru line on busy nights.


Each of the girls created a recipe and made it 8 times, swapped and went home with 8 different recipes for the freezer. We went live on Facebook during the cooking, you can see the fun here.

In two and a half hours they made 64 meals!

Our friend The Queen of Free has 7 Can't Miss Tips For a Successful Freezer Meal Day.

Now for what you are all waiting for, the recipes!

Crystal from Chasing Saturday's made Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice



Marybeth from My Fearless Kitchen made Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes



Jeanette from Fencerow to Fencerow made Mexican Pork Pozole Soup



Stacy from The Backroad Life made Baked Ziti



Lana from Lana's Life made Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloins with Roasted Brussel Sprouts



Jent from The Farmwife Feeds made Chicken Pot Pie






Liz from The Farmwife Cooks made Sour Cream Noodle Bake


Pin all the recipes by clicking here.


8 Freezer Meal Recipes perfect for busy nights, Sour Cream Noodle Bake, Baked Ziti, Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes, Chicken Pot Pie, Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Mexican Pork Pozole Soup, Garlic Pork Stir Fry