tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78685904943145092902024-03-06T01:18:38.380-05:00Family of FarmersIndiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-31923118345752590152017-08-05T12:44:00.000-04:002017-08-05T12:44:02.562-04:00Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Top 12 Things to Do at the Great Indiana State Fair<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Be Happy and Healthy<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quality over Quantity</b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">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.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">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.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What’s the Beef</b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s featured food for 2017 is the Cattlemen’s Choice Sandwich. This <span style="background: white;">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.</span></span></div>
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<b>Eat Up<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Enjoy
Indiana Farm Bureau’s Taste from Indiana Farms event (Aug. 15-17), where fairgoers can sample Indiana
commodities of all kinds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Take the ride of your life</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Enjoy the rides at the midway which are powered entirely by Soy Biodiesel. Indiana Farmers feed you and fuel your fun!</span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t Chicken Out</b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">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.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.
<b>Go Hog Wild<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<b>Enjoy the Little Things<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.
<b>Have a Dairy Good Time<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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 <i>dairy</i> good
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. See the World From a New Lens<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>1.
Hit the Trail<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">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. </span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-7904092012367984532017-02-16T10:17:00.002-05:002017-02-16T10:17:53.493-05:00Video Contest - What Does the Future of Agriculture Mean to You?<div class="MsoNormal">
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?<o:p></o:p></div>
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“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.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The entry process and a full
list of guidelines may be found online at <a href="http://www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/videocontest.html">www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/videocontest.html</a>.
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All winners will be invited to
attend a special recognition ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on March 21 in
celebration of Indiana Ag Day.<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-41865211868146754422017-02-14T13:48:00.000-05:002017-02-14T16:15:42.290-05:008 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LNtJS5-xAbC0ZamU-uMr-HfzyHfU0E5HKpzdYmXzaVTAej0wu3w_YgJBogy-JE3Ym99Bf_Cu6ZX_J3j7SJxKOM5WrYJF6cXIW4p2fKjlKpAfxhe__N-lQdwAu4nGHFBQtSJJEF8iUFWi/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LNtJS5-xAbC0ZamU-uMr-HfzyHfU0E5HKpzdYmXzaVTAej0wu3w_YgJBogy-JE3Ym99Bf_Cu6ZX_J3j7SJxKOM5WrYJF6cXIW4p2fKjlKpAfxhe__N-lQdwAu4nGHFBQtSJJEF8iUFWi/s400/IMG_8597.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers/videos/1325539754155728/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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In two and a half hours they made 64 meals!<br />
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Our friend <a href="http://www.queenoffree.net/" target="_blank">The Queen of Fre</a>e has <a href="http://www.queenoffree.net/2017/01/successful-freezer-meal-day/" target="_blank">7 Can't Miss Tips For a Successful Freezer Meal Day</a>.<br />
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Now for what you are all waiting for, the recipes!<br />
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Crystal from <a href="http://www.chasing-saturdays.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Saturday's</a> made <a href="http://www.chasing-saturdays.com/2017/02/crock-pot-cheesy-chicken-and-rice.html" target="_blank">Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice</a><br />
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Marybeth from <a href="http://www.myfearlesskitchen.com/" target="_blank">My Fearless Kitchen</a> made <a href="http://www.myfearlesskitchen.com/freezer-friendly-slow-cooker-sloppy-joes/" target="_blank">Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes</a><br />
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Jeanette from <a href="http://www.fencerowtofencerow.com/" target="_blank">Fencerow to Fencerow</a> made <a href="http://www.fencerowtofencerow.com/2017/02/12/best-mexican-pork-pozole-soup/" target="_blank">Mexican Pork Pozole Soup</a><br />
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Stacy from <a href="http://www.thebackroadlife.com/" target="_blank">The Backroad Life</a> made <a href="http://www.thebackroadlife.com/2017/02/baked-ziti.html" target="_blank">Baked Ziti</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAf2494hkaY8SwWobUqtZtGE4Cl3HNARFT3vVOXSnDb5KiisNXVUsX870ASKp3u1Hm7EcCPkT6ofFEAbrJOAcn-wHLNKI1rFyQwWouRucn9vCVvk2Vw4ZtVNhhGfoNbXZSJSzWfmW41ee/s1600/DSC_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAf2494hkaY8SwWobUqtZtGE4Cl3HNARFT3vVOXSnDb5KiisNXVUsX870ASKp3u1Hm7EcCPkT6ofFEAbrJOAcn-wHLNKI1rFyQwWouRucn9vCVvk2Vw4ZtVNhhGfoNbXZSJSzWfmW41ee/s400/DSC_1757.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lana from <a href="http://www.lanaslife.com/" target="_blank">Lana's Life</a> made <a href="http://www.lanaslife.com/2017/02/pan-fried-pork-tenderloins-and-roasted.html" target="_blank">Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloins with Roasted Brussel Sprouts</a><br />
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Jent from <a href="http://www.farmwifefeeds.com/" target="_blank">The Farmwife Feeds</a> made <a href="http://www.farmwifefeeds.com/chicken-pot-pie/" target="_blank">Chicken Pot Pie</a><br />
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Heather from <a href="http://www.3kidsandlotsofpigs.com/" target="_blank">3 Kids and Lots of Pig</a> made <a href="http://www.3kidsandlotsofpigs.com/2017/02/garlic-pork-stir-fry.html" target="_blank">Garlic Pork Stir Fry</a></div>
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Liz from <a href="http://www.farmwifecooks.com/" target="_blank">The Farmwife Cooks</a> made <a href="http://www.farmwifecooks.com/sour-cream-noodle-casserole/" target="_blank">Sour Cream Noodle Bake</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Padnuyl72hKXrwmdOKxxuFMFyZMGNAXHX0Szr4yHLy03O2HjP3-EIiCX3ty4zvU4JjaWan3CIGZVNebg6Yc7w8RqHcwPca5T6kOVox0b36HpoWtMNrPeZv09iD7tyLQ6Qcjv_oVisxiI/s1600/FreezerMeals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="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 " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Padnuyl72hKXrwmdOKxxuFMFyZMGNAXHX0Szr4yHLy03O2HjP3-EIiCX3ty4zvU4JjaWan3CIGZVNebg6Yc7w8RqHcwPca5T6kOVox0b36HpoWtMNrPeZv09iD7tyLQ6Qcjv_oVisxiI/s400/FreezerMeals.jpg" title="" width="221" /></a></div>
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<br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-69265819936893989452016-08-03T18:11:00.000-04:002016-08-03T18:11:02.814-04:00Learning and Improving Everyday<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eliason Farm has been in the same family since March 17, 1814. Doug Eliason is a 5</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> generation farmer and caretaker of the farm today. </span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doug and Jeanie Eliason of Centerville Indiana proudly work on the farm today. The farm, historically a dairy, is now a growing seed business that produces seed soybean, wheat, oats and corn for market. </span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="goog_1235633955"></span><span id="goog_1235633956"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCEAUODhnB2jrZjkyQU1WUT1-XEo8VVpT3EnPFp-lS7shnOHlphKo2gN-oiWipy3uebVsdn-Gc6vdEJHkD7yNvo6PZ3oaR1beEiElRF6r_NPPWgrrbwUiFlVeO0N8A1uaKl5zPcJYcXzc/s1600/Dustin%252C+Doug%252C+Jeannie+Eliason+by+homestead+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCEAUODhnB2jrZjkyQU1WUT1-XEo8VVpT3EnPFp-lS7shnOHlphKo2gN-oiWipy3uebVsdn-Gc6vdEJHkD7yNvo6PZ3oaR1beEiElRF6r_NPPWgrrbwUiFlVeO0N8A1uaKl5zPcJYcXzc/s400/Dustin%252C+Doug%252C+Jeannie+Eliason+by+homestead+sign.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-15b1f337-518c-adfc-57c3-65b289631539" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The farm’s history is rich. Joshua and Christiann Eliason traveled from Delaware to settle on new land. Joshua’s legacy lives on today, with a road named in his honor in Wayne County. He had to widen himself a trail to get his family and livestock through to their new life in Indiana. </span></div>
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</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doug has always helped on the farm, but as he got older he did more and more work on the farm. As with any job, with advancement comes more responsibility. “I have seen myself grow up from the kid that the older siblings teased and made fun of, become the caretaker for my elderly parents and eventually take over the farm,” said Doug. </span></div>
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</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doug runs the farm in the most efficient way possible. They use no till practices to conserve the soil and save on fuel and equipment. Also, Doug does most of his own repairs. Doing his own repairs is more than efficient for Doug, it provides a sense of accomplishment. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eliason family is looking to the future everyday by planning and record keeping daily. “It’s not only my back that gets a workout, my mind works hard too.” Keeping good records helps Doug stay organized, but also is important for the future generations that will take over the farm. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the future, Doug’s motto is to “always keep learning and improving.” </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-35238292835669679272016-08-03T17:56:00.000-04:002016-08-03T17:56:48.850-04:00Growing Generations and Grapes<b id="docs-internal-guid-1f75588b-517a-6632-a7f8-50f261b5530e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-1f75588b-517a-6632-a7f8-50f261b5530e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kimberly and John Doty felt the only way their small family farm could survive was to grow specialty crops and to directly market their product to the consumer, so they did just that. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1f75588b-517a-6632-a7f8-50f261b5530e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1f75588b-517a-6632-a7f8-50f261b5530e" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA_wes7yO3GlHdr1AgGfvJtQVRzF5TET9LPgOoZwFt0PbeKZhpygO8TcxMFQApEC-34VO9sP6clqAYQCCCfZrZm0nusxS0vwex8pv2llTg90WVu4PsVklDQeY-bLYLjccElcQHp46DH6b/s1600/French+Lick-Doty_Kim+and+John.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA_wes7yO3GlHdr1AgGfvJtQVRzF5TET9LPgOoZwFt0PbeKZhpygO8TcxMFQApEC-34VO9sP6clqAYQCCCfZrZm0nusxS0vwex8pv2llTg90WVu4PsVklDQeY-bLYLjccElcQHp46DH6b/s400/French+Lick-Doty_Kim+and+John.JPG" width="266" /></a></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1f75588b-517a-6632-a7f8-50f261b5530e" style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The farm originally purchased 4 generations ago in 1888 has a diverse past. Being passed down on the maternal side, the name has changed several times, as well as the commodities grown. Historically, the land has produced corn, soybeans, and hay to feed cattle and hogs. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the farm being passed down on the maternal side for generations, Kim found it only natural that she carry on the farming tradition, “I am connected to the farm and am proud of the heritage.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The farm is located in an American</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Viticultural Area, which is described as a unique grape growing region because of the topography, climate and soil. The Doty’s grow these grape varieties; Chambourcin, Traminette (Indiana’s Signature Grape), Norton, Vidal Blanc, Catawba, Steuben, Cayuga White, Vignoles, Noiret and Cabernet Franc. All of the grapes grown here are used exclusively at their French Lick Winery. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, the farm is still changing. With 8 acres of grapes and new additions of wheat, and soon corn, the winery is good at adapting and changing. The Spirits of French Lick Distillery will be open later this summer, a new distillery, part of French Link Winery that will feature locally grown and milled grain in their products. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Doty’s are very diverse in their operations, growing 10 varieties of grapes, wheat, and raising Katahdin hair sheep. They use technology on the vineyard for pruning and automated bottling in the winery. The distillery has a computerized control panel to “increase productivity and safety,” Kim said. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Owning their own winery has given Kim and John an independent lifestyle, where they can make their own hours and perform many different tasks. Although their job duties are always changing, the beautiful view of the White River from the vineyard is constant. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Kim, “The customer’s reactions to the products we make is the most satisfying part of the job.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1busdwL8byEVCvoE3RYrB52xqUB26tvPU995TCPvDK-AjeQHG69cBSQVnNwyC3STqAWNZG3tgowUIurHj3g-ju0SYQ5yaiJgUiLfhyphenhyphenI9gbVdTGh2qy6i5qqjjH3nndv_xgVgprvGByvw/s1600/French+Lick_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1busdwL8byEVCvoE3RYrB52xqUB26tvPU995TCPvDK-AjeQHG69cBSQVnNwyC3STqAWNZG3tgowUIurHj3g-ju0SYQ5yaiJgUiLfhyphenhyphenI9gbVdTGh2qy6i5qqjjH3nndv_xgVgprvGByvw/s400/French+Lick_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kim and John will pass down the farm and vineyard to their 2 sons, Aaron and Nicholas. In the future, they hope it will carry on to the next generations. </span></b><br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-29107944786788230752016-08-03T17:53:00.000-04:002016-08-03T17:53:02.370-04:00The Farming Lifestyle of the Bishop Family<b id="docs-internal-guid-fa959dd3-5190-c1a7-706d-49a857b02fdd" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-fa959dd3-5190-c1a7-706d-49a857b02fdd" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Farming is more than a job for the Bishop family; it’s a lifestyle. Bob and his wife Waneta have 3 children, one of which still works on the farm and 7 grandchildren. </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVh1EoXVdqPCJXYUZa1x7P6mUBiB4aJYjQ0EZ_9mJifPyS942OagwXQ_DTCpKbx-ElwBN8QC5PW9DUWoDiz6tLb1pCUYrVqLBHpOQELbq66uq3nrZAJ739v0CFllKDMvTaeeJ5H66maGA/s1600/Bob+and+Waneta+Bishop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVh1EoXVdqPCJXYUZa1x7P6mUBiB4aJYjQ0EZ_9mJifPyS942OagwXQ_DTCpKbx-ElwBN8QC5PW9DUWoDiz6tLb1pCUYrVqLBHpOQELbq66uq3nrZAJ739v0CFllKDMvTaeeJ5H66maGA/s400/Bob+and+Waneta+Bishop.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-fa959dd3-5190-c1a7-706d-49a857b02fdd" style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before farming full-time, Bob was well-rounded in the workplace, teaching school for 16 years, building houses, selling fertilizer and delivering feed for the local co-op. He was able to take over 1500 acres of ground and begin farming full-time in 1985 when his father and two neighbors all retired. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Bob his passion on the farm is to, “serve [his] community and work for the good of all mankind and give praise to God.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Currently, Bishop Farms grows corn, soybeans, Plenish soybeans, wheat, hay, and seed corn for Pioneer. Furthermore, Bob has a beef cow herd from which they sell club calves and freezer beef. Lastly, they have a commercial trucking company that delivers seed corn for Pioneer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The most important crops we are growing are our grandchildren and developing a love for agriculture and a desire to continue the legacy,” Bob says. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bishop Farm began in 1833 on the edge of the prairie west of Leesburg settled by James Harvey Bishop. President Martin VanBuren signed the land grant deed. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bob was, “inspired by [his] father to continue the legacy of the Bishop family in agriculture.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout Bob’s lifetime, “changes have come fast and furious.” He remembers farming with tractors that didn’t have cabs, two row cultivators, two row planters, and two row corn pickers. In years past, they have grown black and white navy beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and sweet corn. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, Bishop Farms has a 24 row planter, a 45 ft. platform on their combine, air conditioned cabs, auto guidance, yield mapping, computer technology and much more. They have recently introduced drone technology, which Bob’s grandson Scott is the pilot for. It’s a valuable tool on their farm. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Agriculture will continue to change as time goes on. “Technology that we have today will be obsolete in 5 years, yes many farmers will still be doing things the same way but the progressive farmers will be adapting new technology to make their farms more competitive in the world market place” Bob explains. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many joys to farming but Bob’s two favorite things on the farm are, “seeing a new calf born and watching it stand and nurse for the first time” and “driving a new combine through the field for the first time and seeing the yields as they appear on the monitor.” His love for agriculture is shown on both the crops and livestock sides of the spectrum. </span></div>
</b><br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-22249211418298655822016-08-03T17:50:00.001-04:002016-08-03T17:54:39.354-04:00Brighten up Your Christmas with a Real DULL Tree!<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Featured Tom and Kerry Dull both graduated from college in 1980, met on an international 4-H Youth Exchange Program and were married in 1982. Tom came back to farm full-time, while Kerry worked as a Home Economics teacher until they decided to start a family. Now, they both farm full-time.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dull’s have two children. Their daughter, Erin, is a physical therapist and is engaged. She comes back to the farm on the weekends to help out. Lucas, their son, is married to Dana, and they have one daughter, Eden (2). Lucas and Dana both work full-time on the farm. </span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5RBDOqNOThvib2H-YIIOoirrGv6gFVtcesf3RHQ8LMWyUKgiDePaabSEh2NThZMK9qDWORXzhSP0Ja1Mm3-ZiJXAk9PhyphenhyphenEpewhtKgYj3jb8TPe-BJl3EvgRA6TOn8G9-u6CacFrkUpJk/s1600/Dull-Tom+Lucas+Eden+Dana+and+kerry+Dull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5RBDOqNOThvib2H-YIIOoirrGv6gFVtcesf3RHQ8LMWyUKgiDePaabSEh2NThZMK9qDWORXzhSP0Ja1Mm3-ZiJXAk9PhyphenhyphenEpewhtKgYj3jb8TPe-BJl3EvgRA6TOn8G9-u6CacFrkUpJk/s400/Dull-Tom+Lucas+Eden+Dana+and+kerry+Dull.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Currently, the Dull’s grow corn, soybeans, Christmas trees, and pumpkins. They also have a corn maze and pride themselves in creating fun memories. </span></b></div>
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</b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today agritourism is a huge part of Dull Tree Farm, as they invite the public to visit their farm in hopes to, “educate them about agriculture while they have fun and spend some wholesome family time together making memories.”</span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-73e61e7a-51a7-584f-c53c-de89583fb826" style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tom’s favorite part about his job is fulfilling their mission statement: “Our mission is to be the best stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us while providing our visitors with high quality agricultural products in a friendly environment where educational and memorable experiences abound.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Historically, the farm has been passed down a few generations. The part of the farm that carries the Hoosier Homestead designation was purchased by Tom’s great grandfather in 1907. After moving through the generations, Tom will eventually inherit it also. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Tom he, “never had any desire to do anything else and feels honored to have had the opportunity to carry on the tradition and legacy of those who farmed before him.” Tom wants to inspire further generations to farm like his family did for him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although Christmas trees are a big focus now, the Dull’s have not always grown trees. In the past, when Tom first came back to the farm, they grew corn, soybeans, wheat and had hogs and cattle. They no longer raise livestock because, “trees smell better and don’t have to be fed twice a day” says Tom. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that the farm has changed so drastically, there is no typical day on the farm. It all, “depends on the season, the weather, the to-do list or the squeakiest wheel” says Tom. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the farm Tom is, “making not only a living, but a life on the same soil that provided for the needs of our forefathers [which] connects all generations together.”</span></div>
</b><br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-11830478551204996152016-07-28T22:25:00.002-04:002016-07-28T22:25:23.968-04:00#FarmerSelfie is Back! Join Us At the Indiana State Fair!The hashtag #FarmerSelfie makes it easy to help the hungry once again this year at the Indiana State Fair.<br />
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Indiana Family of Farmers brings back the hashtag #FarmerSelfie to benefit Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. In three easy steps, fairgoers can help those in need while they enjoy everything the fair has to offer. All they have to do is find a farmer, take a selfie and post a picture to social media with the hashtag #FarmerSelfie.<br />
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There will be a number of life size posters of farmers posted up around the fairgrounds. Fairgoers can find these in commodity tents, livestock barns, and around the Glass Barn.<br />
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How to participate in three easy steps:<br />
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1. Find a life size poster of a farmer (or a farmer in real life) on the fairgrounds<br />
2. Take a selfie<br />
3. Post the picture to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tag @FamilyofFarmers and hashtag #FarmerSelfie.<br />
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For every #FarmerSelfie picture posted, Indiana’s Family of Farmers will make a donation to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. As an incentive, fairgoers who share photos will be entered into a daily drawing for a $50 grocery gift card.<br />
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The Indiana State Fair runs from August 5 to August 21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.<br />
<br />Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-12447121626369856962016-07-18T23:13:00.000-04:002016-07-18T23:13:19.986-04:00TOP 10 things to do at the Indiana State Fair The Year of the Bicentennial! It’s time to celebrate Indiana’s 200th birthday and commemorate our state’s history. So what is the best way to do that? Check out the top 10 things to do this year at the 2016 Indiana State Fair! You are guaranteed to have a great time.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Choo Choo </span></b><br />
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Hop aboard the Indiana Bicentennial Train located in the Family Fun Park! The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana State Fair Commission bring you this exhibit to commemorate the Indiana Bicentennial funded by the Indiana Railroad Company and Norfolk Southern Corporation. This activity features three air-conditioned box cars exhibiting Indiana’s past, present, and future through a lens of four themes: transportation, land use, talent and community. Also when fairgoers visit, they can meet a historical train character and enjoy an activity tent where they can reflect their own Hoosier memories.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Jam Out</b></span></div>
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There will be a free concert each night of the fair! All you need to purchase is your ticket into the fairgrounds. 17 free stage stars will perform on the free stage, which is general admission and has no reserved seats. Popular stars like Neal McCoy, Granger Smith, Maddie & Tae, Lauren Alaina, and Laura Marano will sing on the free stage. Jam out and sing along! Find the entire schedule of entertainers and dates <a href="http://www.indianastate%20fair.com/state-fair/entertainment-attractions/free-stage/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Yolks on You</b></span></div>
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As many might remember, the Indiana State Fair was without poultry last year due to the two highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, strains circulating throughout 2015. The Indiana Board of Animal Health banned the showing of poultry at all county fairs and the Indiana State Fair. Well, have no fear, the chickens are back! Be sure to check out the Poultry and Rabbit Barn and watch the show!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Be a Champ</b></span></div>
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Grab a bag of kettle corn and a lemon shake up, and snag a seat in the Farmer’s Coliseum to watch the 4-H Market Animal Grand Champion Drive, featuring market lambs, meat goats, barrows, dairy steers, and beef steers. See the best of the best animals in all of Indiana compete for the top five titles: Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, 3rd Overall, 4th Overall, and 5th Overall. These ambitious 4-Hers have put in hours working tirelessly with their animals! Come see their hard work pay off on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 7 pm.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Chat it Up</b></span></div>
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Come to the Glass Barn and talk to farmers LIVE at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm every day! Prizes will be given away at each and every chat! Throughout the Indiana State Fair, visitors of the Glass Barn will have an opportunity to video chat with Indiana farmers on their farms and ask them questions about their production practices. In addition to talking with farmers, the Glass Barn visitors can enjoy a free photo booth, learn about modern farms through an interactive computer game, play BeanGo to get a free hat, and follow the journey a soybean takes from field to table. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Be Cheesy</b></span></div>
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Feelin’ cheesy? Come on into the air conditioning in the Purdue Extension Ag/Hort Building at the Indiana State Fair. Take a look at the American Dairy Association cheese sculpture. Each year, there is a different cheese sculpture created where Indiana Dairy Farmers unveil their artistic contribution to the State Fair. The cheese used to make the structure is made from milk from cattle grown on Indiana Dairy Farms. Now that’s cool! Cheese-o-Pete, you have to go! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Go Hog Wild</b></span></div>
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Who doesn’t love pigs?! Be sure to visit the Swine Barn to see the world’s largest and the 2nd world’s largest boars! They’re huge! Also, check out the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Sows and their litters of piglets. Babies and fat pigs: gotta love ‘em!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Meet a Farmer</b></span></div>
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Farmers have been around forever, right?! At least most farm families have been in Indiana farming for a LONG time! In celebration of the Year of the Bicentennial, IFOF challenges you to find a farmer around the Indiana State Fairgrounds and take a picture with them using the official hashtag #FarmerSelfie. You can take a picture with a poster of a farmer, a sign with a farmer on it, or even with 1 of 17 featured farmers. Then, post your picture on all of your social media handles! For every #FarmerSelfie posted, IFOF will make a donation to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry! At the end of each day of the fair, Indiana Family of Farmers will be a drawing for a winner that will get a $50 gift card to Kroger! So, be sure to find a farmer take a #FarmerSelfie and post it online! Having fun and feeding the hungry! What could be better than that? </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Happy Birthday Indiana</b></span></div>
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In celebration of the Year of the Bicentennial at the Indiana State Fair, the Indiana Arts Building features several exhibits showing Indiana’s rich history and culture. Visit this building that features art, photography, crafts and displays with Bicentennial themes of 200 years. Celebrate Indiana’s 200th birthday! Also, the building features 16 watercolor prints by 1st lady Karen Pence; a few include the Cardinal, Indiana State House and a typical Indiana front porch.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Have a MOOvelous Time</span></b></div>
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Visit the Dairy Bar right across from the Plaza, a beautiful addition to the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, for a Peanut Butter milkshake and a Smokin’ Hot Grilled Cheese made with Sriracha and smoked cheddar cheese, both new in 2016 at the Dairy Bar. Also enjoy a chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry shake or hand-dipped, fresh ice cream. Everyone loves ice cream to cool them down on a hot day at the Indiana State Fair. Mozzarella sticks are another fan favorite! Mmm Mmm good!</div>
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Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-50965863407011450252016-03-14T12:10:00.001-04:002016-03-14T12:10:24.739-04:00Media Release: Indiana’s Family of Farmers Celebrate National Ag Week<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (March 14, 2016) – Indiana’s farmers and ag leaders are doing their part this week to help Hoosiers understand the important role agriculture as we celebrate national Ag Week 2016 with the theme of “Stewards of a Healthy Planet.” Ag Week is March 13-19 and Indiana’s Family of Farmers is commemorating the week through sharing stories and facts about the many ways Indiana’s agricultural community stewards the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Follow along with Indiana’s Family of Farmers on Facebook at </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> and on Twitter using @FamilyofFarmers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Agriculture has been a vital part of Indiana’s history since the state’s establishment 200 years ago,” said Joe Steinkamp, president of Indiana Soybean Alliance and farmer from Evansville, Ind. “The agricultural community continues to play an important role not only in Indiana’s economy and culture, but also the stewardship of Indiana’s natural resources and environment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Quotes from Indiana agricultural organizations:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Farmers care deeply about the land, the animals, the water and the air for which they are responsible. Every farmer wants to leave his or her little piece of this Earth in better shape than he or she found it. It’s our legacy, and we know how priceless it is.” Randy Kron of Evansville, Ind., president of Indiana Farm Bureau<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Indiana farmers are dedicated to feeding this growing world population. This dedication is equaled only by their commitment to protecting the land that makes it possible. As stewards of a healthy planet, they care for the soil that provides us food, fuel and clothes.” Jane Hardisty, Indiana NRCS State Conservationist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Though each farmer’s conservation plan is unique, managing for soil health is one of the most effective ways to improve the environment while increasing crop productivity and profitability. Implementing this approach not only results in healthy soil that reduces erosion, requires less nutrient inputs, manages the effects of extreme weather, and reduces nutrient and sediment loading to streams and rivers but it also optimizes the farmer’s inputs, sustains outputs and increases resiliency. Likewise, farmers who work towards healthy soil on their farm will ultimately have a positive impact on climate change when incorporating cover crops and no-till into their conservation plan.” Jane Hardisty, Indiana NRCS State Conservationist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Indiana’s pig farmers are using the best practices to ensure safe, affordable pork for consumers to enjoy. Pig farms use less land and energy than ever before. Many modern pig farms also specialize in a particular time frame of a pig’s life cycle to provide the best care possible.” Jason Slaton of Atlanta, Ind., president of Indiana Pork<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Agriculture has been a vital part of Indiana’s history since the state’s establishment 200 years ago. The agricultural community continues to play an important role in Indiana’s economy and culture, but also the stewardship of Indiana’s natural resources and environment.” Joe Steinkamp, president of Indiana Soybean Alliance and farmer from Evansville, Ind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“With such diversity, Sennett Cattle Company has flourished in an environment of scrutiny and is able to be sustainable due to environmental and stewardship practices. Implementing rotational grazing, manure management, wildlife habitat restoration and minimum/no-till planting practices, has allowed them to be economically sustainable.” Clark Sennett of Waynetown, Ind. was the recipient of the National Environmental Stewardship Award given by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: The diverse cattle/farming operation also consists of a fenced wooded acreage and ponds to provide valuable habitat for wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Among many programs at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the most predominant effort related to ‘Stewards of a Healthy Planet’ involves our Division of Soil Conservation. They work very closely with the Indiana Conservation Partnership, who are both raising the bar to improve overall water quality and soil health in Indiana. Countless families, as well as our economy, rely on Indiana’s natural resources, so we must remain good stewards of the land to ensure that those resources exist for future generations.” Ted McKinney, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">About Indiana’s Family of Farmers: Indiana's Family of Farmers was formed in 2009. Its purpose is to bring awareness that Indiana's farmers are among the top producers of grains, produce and meats you eat every day because we believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your families and the environment. Learn more at </span></i><a href="http://www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/"><span class="Hyperlink0"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com</span></i></span></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-76318550676594934812016-01-15T09:37:00.001-05:002016-01-15T09:37:27.807-05:00I am Indiana Agriculture: Bruce Lamb<em>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruce Lamb, DVM of Milford, Indiana in Kosciusko County is a
1976 graduate of Purdue University and is also the proud father of four Purdue
University graduates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his wife
Beth of 38 years live on a farm and raise Registered Angus cattle and hay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also have three grandchildren. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to his job with the Indiana State Board
of Animal Health (BOAH), Bruce was a large animal veterinarian at Milford Large
Animal Clinic where he also served as co-owner for 27 years, was a consultant
for Progressive Pork Concepts for 5 years, and was the owner of Northern Lakes
Food Animal Veterinary Service. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
past 12 years he has worked as field veterinarian in District 2 and is also the
Director of the Johne’s Program and Cattle Specialist for BOAH.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Director of the Johne’s Program and Cattle Specialist,
Bruce’s job responsibilities include: regulatory issues, including testing and
monitoring for regulatory diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, chronic wasting
disease, avain influenza, PED virus, and foreign animal diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also investigates milk and meat drug residue
violations, animal welfare and abuse cases, and other investigations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruce didn’t grow up on a farm directly, but he had a close
connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We lived 2 miles from my
grandparent’s farm and I spent as much time there as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a 10-year 4-Her and went to the farm to
train and raise my calves for the county fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took a lot of 4-H projects and tried to take advantage of everything
the Indiana 4-H program offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 4-H
program was also an influence in my career and college choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife, Beth, grew up on a farm and showed
cattle, as did all four of our children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When I was a freshman in high school, my grandfather took
me to a career night sponsored by our local veterinary association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew I liked animals and thought I might
be interested in going to the meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
loved being on the farm with my grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He raised beef cattle, hogs, and chickens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever he worked with the animals, I was
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After high school graduation, I
was fortunate to get accepted to Purdue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I applied to Veterinary School and the rest is history.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only does Bruce have a love for animals, he also enjoys
working with the farmers who raise them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like farm animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More importantly, I like helping livestock
owners keep their animals healthy and their operations profitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like working with people, especially people
involved in agriculture and animal agriculture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are genuine and hard working.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Society considers veterinarians as credible professionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That trust and credibility has given me the
opportunity to develop a platform and inform others about the importance of
animals and animal products in our diets and in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a lot of misinformation in the media
and I like to do my part to talk about the benefits of animal agriculture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agriculture and animal agriculture are more
than businesses; they define you and become a way of life.”</span></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-38732397893697439242016-01-04T17:26:00.001-05:002016-01-04T17:27:42.785-05:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: The Stewarts<em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">By Sarah Mahan of </span><a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This Farm Family's Life</span></a></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Andrew Stewart of Greensburg is the fourth generation to
operate the family farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his wife
Darci live in a house on the cattle farm with their three children: Matthew, 11;
Haleigh, 5; and Ella Kate, 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andrew
attended Purdue University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in
Agricultural Economics in May of 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before graduation, he received an offer to work for Farm Credit
Mid-America in their office in Louisville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He worked there for 5 years and was able to gain some valuable insights
and experience that he was able to put to use on their farm operation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"My great grandfather, Arthur, started farming in the
early 1900s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sold his first bag of
seed in 1918 and there has been seed sold under the Stewart brand ever
since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandfather John and great
uncle Gilman bought the first Angus cows in 1955.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cousin, Josh Gunn, and I are the fourth
generation to farm the family farm.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stewarts farm commercial corn, seed beans, seed wheat,
alfalfa hay, and have a herd of 200 registered Angus cows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andrew’s main responsibility on the farm is
managing the cow herd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stewart Select
Angus is a performance seedstock operation that is focused on raising high-quality
breeding bulls for the commercial cattleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A seedstock operation is one that sells breeding stock (bulls, heifers,
and cows) to commercial producers along with other seedstock operators,” Andrew
explains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Being a performance herd
means that we measure our cattle in almost every way possible to help them be
more predictable and profitable for our customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We measure birth weight, weaning weight,
yearling weight, hip height, and so ultrasound measurements to determine ribeye
area, intramuscular fat, rib fat, rump fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of these measurements and more factor into the profitability of the
bull for each buyer.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cows at Stewart Select Angus are on pasture for 10 to 11
months of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have an annual
herd test for our cattle the first part of December where we give annual
vaccinations and draw blood from each cow to check for certain diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just like me going to the doctor for
an annual checkup.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most of the year, the cows get a mixture of several
different forages in the pastures, including grass hay, alfalfa hay, wheat
silage, corn silage, and clover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
fall, the cows can graze on corn stalks after the corn has been harvested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“During this mid-gestation time frame of the
cow, when the calves have already been weaned, they will be able to pick
through the field and find enough nutrients to meet their needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bulls that I develop will get a mix of
corn, corn gluten pellets, and soybean hull pellets to help them develop into
sound breeding bulls at 15 months of age.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stewarts have 200 cows that give birth every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to those 200 cows, they will
raise approximately 60 bulls on the home farm, 20 bulls at two different sites
in Indiana and Montana, 60 replacement heifers, and almost all of the 200 calves
that were born that year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On April 1,
they will have about 520 head of cattle of various ages to take care of at home
and another 20 off-site.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We bale straw and
corn stalks to bed the barns that our cattle are in routinely to make sure it
is fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the temperature gets
colder and the cows will need more energy to keep their body heat, we adjust
their feed and give them an additional 10 to 15%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cows will actually perform better in 40-degree
temperatures than 80-degree temperatures, because of their hair coat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When their hair coat gets wet and it is
windy, they will require more energy to keep their body heat constant.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An enclosed shed with small pens for birthing
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>helps baby calves get off to the best
start without having the added stress of the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andrew says his favorite part of his job is
seeing a new calf being born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since I start
calving around Christmas time, it helps to remind us of God’s gift of Jesus and
the power of all His creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
able to have our kids grow up on the farm is also something that I love about
my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm teaches them many
things such as responsibility, hard work, problem solving, innovation, and many
more.”</span>
</span>Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-52131273220988756462015-12-17T23:04:00.000-05:002015-12-17T23:04:19.550-05:00How Popcorn Pops<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Every winter break, I always
find myself looking for ways to keep my children entertained. A movie and
popcorn night is usually one of our go-to activities, but this year, we decided
to mix it up a little bit and add an educational element:</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">HOW POPCORN POPS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The great thing about this
activity is that it does not require a lot of time, ingredients or attention
spans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">What you need:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1/3 cup popcorn
kernels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 tbsp. canola
oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">If you don’t have a popcorn
popper, you need:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Large pot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Clear glass lid
(very important)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Any type of popcorn kernels
will work. I sacrificed my popcorn as the kids wouldn’t let me
sacrifice their “real” popcorn (with all the butter, salt, you know – the good
stuff).</span> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">INSTRUCTIONS:</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Put the pot on the stove, and then turn the stove on.
Or turn on the popcorn popper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pour in the oil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Add anywhere from 2-10 kernels and cover with a lid. The
larger the pot, the more kernels you can use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wait for kernels to pop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">5. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I had the kids take guesses
beforehand about how long it would take. That was fun! Once they pop, you can
add the remaining kernels and then serve. Be careful – it is HOT!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzAc8AAVg42nn9b6kLvjz0UvR0MzWzoSt_wHERuPrF_YVpgHP6WmF6zxlwJFNnvyVq32jcaCVmgEGckaykYXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">EXPLANATION: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Inside each popcorn kernel is
a little bit of water. When you heat the kernels, the water turns to steam and
expands. After a while, the pressure from the steam builds up and the popcorn
pops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-76375784880747169752015-12-16T10:58:00.000-05:002015-12-16T10:58:02.138-05:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: The Walkers<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i></div>
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Jennifer and Jacob Walker of Dekalb County are both Purdue University graduates with majors in agriculture. They have two kids Ryan, 2 ½, and Leann, 1 ½, who love coming to the farm, because as Jacob says, “It’s special to have them there.” After graduation, Jacob worked off the farm for 3 years before coming back to the farm his grandparents started. “My dad and grandpa farmed separately, but worked together. In 2001, we lost my grandparents in an accident and my parents continued the operation. I was fortunate to be able to come into a rolling operation and have the opportunity to help grow it and continue to be successful in the future,” Jacob says.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Walkers both grew up on farms; Jennifer hails from a family dairy operation, where she was actively involved in the daily milking and harvesting aspects of the farm. “Growing up on farms definitely has shaped who we are today and we hope our kids continue to have that same opportunity.” On the current farm, the Walkers raise corn, soybeans, and wheat. They also bale large square bales of straw and run a Beck’s seed dealership. Jennifer works as a district conservationist for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jennifer and Jacob were the proud recipients of the Young Farmer Achievement Award from Indiana Farm Bureau. This award is based on their efforts in production agriculture and leadership achievement. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“The process for the award starts by filling out the application,” Jacob explains. “There are three finalists that go on to have 20-minute interviews… We appreciated the application process for several reasons: It focused mostly on your accomplishments in your operation with involvements being important as well. The applications get judged blind, so your name and hometown isn’t known until the final three. One of the most difficult things was getting across everything you wanted in a 20-minute interview. We learned a lot during the process and enjoyed documenting our journey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jacob feels the Young Farmer program through Farm Bureau is important because of the demographics of people in production agriculture. “There are fewer young people coming back to production agriculture all the time and this program focus on some of that. There are few other programs across the country that put a focus solely on the next generation of agriculture and that provide a meaningful organization for them. This award recognizes accomplishments of the individuals and promotes the Young Farmer Program.”</div>
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Jacob’s advice to a young farmer who is considering joining the family farm, “Go do something else for a while. Don’t come straight back to the farm. Set goals. Make sure you’re able to make your own mistakes and make meaningful decisions without only riding on the coattail of the previous generation. Have something that’s yours and take initiative. Have a mentor. Make sure there’s proper organizational structure and that it’s clear what everyone’s roles are. Learn from the people that helped get you where you are and recognize that through the process.”</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To learn more about the Walker's farm, visit their website, </span><a href="http://www.walker-farms.com/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.walker-farms.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-39658321796935521442015-12-08T13:12:00.000-05:002015-12-08T13:12:36.309-05:00Farm to Table<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This summer, we partnered five farm bloggers with five non-farm bloggers to participate in a two part series that would take them from the farm to the grocery store to learn more about where their food comes from. Below are links to not only their experiences but a lot of yummy recipes as well!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://justlikethenumber.com/2015/09/affordable-and-nutritious-homemade-beef-tacos/" target="_blank">Ground Beef Tacos</a> from Angie of Just Like the Number</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.beyerbeware.net/2015/11/20-minute-skillet-pizza-casserole.html" target="_blank">20-Minute Skillet Pizza</a> from Leah of Beyer Beware</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://chaosisbliss.com/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken</a> Recipe from Ann-Marie of Chaos is Bliss</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.3kidsandlotsofpigs.com/2015/09/super-easy-pizza-casserole.html" target="_blank">Super Easy Pizza Casserole</a> from Heather of 3 Kids and Lots of Pigs</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.momforless.com/2015/09/grocery-stores-decoded-my-shopping-trip-with-a-dietitian.html" target="_blank">Italian Beef Sandwiches</a> from Crystal of Mom for Less</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.fencerowtofencerow.com/2015/09/30/crockpot-lasagna-soup/" target="_blank">Crock Pot Lasagna Soup</a> from Jeanette of Fencerow to Fencerow</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.simplydesigning.net/homemade-baked-ziti-recipe/" target="_blank">Homemade Baked Ziti</a> from Ashley of Simply Designing</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.farmwifefeeds.com/crock-pot-chicken-noodles/" target="_blank">Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles</a> from Jent of Farmwife Feeds</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://indyhomeschool.com/2015/09/30/3-store-tour-and-baked-turkey-meatballs/" target="_blank">Baked Turkey Meatballs</a> from Steph of Indy Homeschool</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.farmwifecooks.com/fiesta-chicken-chowder/" target="_blank">Fiesta Chicken Chowder</a> from Liz of The Farmwife Cooks</b></span></div>
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Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-78910564854625122752015-12-01T14:25:00.001-05:002015-12-01T14:25:35.823-05:00I am Indiana Agriculture: Dan Doles<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Dan Doles of Greensburg has been around farming his entire life. His great, great grandfather, Isaac Doles, settled the parcel of land where Dan currently lives in 1836. “I have helped farm the family farm since I was in high school. We raised beef cattle, hogs, and crops. At one time, we used to have a cow herd of about 200 cows that calved in the spring and fall, as well as purchasing feeder cattle to feed out. Our swine operation was much smaller with a farrow-to-finish operation consisting of about 80 sows. At that time, I was farming with my father, uncle, and cousin. My father and uncle have since retired and the family has divided the farm acreage, and my brother-in-law and sister currently farm the ‘home’ farm which my father owns.” Dan has two sisters, one of whom lives in North Carolina and the other lives just southwest of Greensburg, raising her family and farming with her husband. They also sell products from their operation to local farmers’ markets.<o:p></o:p><br />
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In the winter of 1987, Dan attended a short course at Purdue University studying agriculture. Then, in June 2015, he spent 4 weeks at Texas A&M University training for his current career as an Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officer (EIAO). Dan works for the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), where he began as a meat inspector, then was promoted to EIAO in January of 2015. “I am responsible for conducting Food Safety Assessments (FSAs) at official meat processing establishments throughout this great state of Indiana. An FSA is an in-depth assessment of an establishment’s food safety and sanitation procedures that ensure the meat and poultry products they process are safe to eat. I also directly observe employees in the performance of their duties to verify if they are following safe food processing and handling methods.”</div>
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When asked why he decided to become a meat inspector, Dan said that in 2005 he took a part-time job working in one of the state-inspected processing establishments on the slaughter floor handling the live animals. That is where he met the BOAH inspectors who monitored the plant. “In 2009, my father and I had a meeting and decided it was not economical for us to continue to purchase feeder cattle and fatten them out for market. We decided to rent the farm ground and phase-out feeding cattle,” explained Dan, who had to seek other work. “I informed the inspection staff, before I resigned, to call me if a position in my area opened up. In 2011, a position opened, and I was hired as a meat inspector. I have found it has been a wonderful career change and I have no regrets.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Consumers are once again concerned about antibiotics in the meat they purchase. Dan offered this piece of information to ease consumer’s minds: “State Meat and Poultry Inspection inspectors collect random drug residue samples, as well as USDA-directed residue samples. Any meat that tests positive for antibiotic drug residue is condemned for human consumption.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In his free time Dan likes to be outdoors hunting, fishing, shooting/archery, and playing golf. He also likes to volunteer his time helping his friend with his Hunter Education Course a couple of times each year.</span></span>Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-54987841828084687842015-11-13T10:56:00.000-05:002015-11-13T10:56:43.068-05:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: Kamille Brawner<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Twenty-one-year-old Kamille Brawner is a junior at Purdue University who lives and breathes dairy farming. She is majoring in Ag Business Marketing with a minor in Animal Science. Kamille is a proud fourth-generation dairy farmer from Hanover. “Dairy farming has always been a huge part of my life and helped shape me into the person I am today. Even though I’m away at college, I still go home as much as possible and help out on the farm. I have two older sisters and an older brother, and our job growing up was to help on the farm where it was needed. Most of my fondest memories from my childhood are from helping on the farm. On Christmas morning, the farm work had to be done before we could open our presents. That’s still how it is, and I don’t know any other way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kamille is the daughter of Greg and Teresa Brawner. She says that her brother and dad currently work together on the farm. The Brawners milk 200 cows, primarily Holsteins. They also raise corn, soybeans, and hay. Kamille stays as active as possible in the dairy industry. Last summer she interned for Organic Valley which allowed her to tour other dairy farms in her area. She served as the 2014-2015 Indiana Dairy Princess, allowing her to attend the Indiana State Fair and visit the dairy barn and shows to speak with farmers and leaders about the dairy industry. She also hosted events at her local high school to promote dairy. Last year, during school, Kamille was also actively involved with the American Dairy Association of Indiana. “Next summer I will actually be doing something completely different for me and will be interning at John Deere in Iowa. Everything I have done up until now has involved dairy, so I’m anxious to try something new. I am still looking forward to doing anything dairy when I’m not working for John Deere.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Animal care is a top priority for the Brawners. “We always make sure the cows have fresh sawdust for bedding, and their stalls are always clean. In the summer, when it is hot, we have fans to help them keep cool and we spray them with water while they are waiting to be milked or if they are lactating, as that greatly increases their body temperature. The cows are always on fresh pasture during the summer months, and we rotate it every 2 days. They are also fed a very balanced ration to make sure they are getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay healthy and produce milk. In the winter, we have tarps in the parlor, where the cows are milked, that come down for added warmth. We also perform regular herd checks. Each cow has a monitoring device, which is an ear tag, that allows us to monitor their health closely.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-69840263983206559122015-11-02T11:58:00.000-05:002015-11-02T11:58:45.879-05:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: Indiana Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farm Families<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Each year, Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. recognizes outstanding young farm families for two awards: The Excellence in Ag Award and the Achievement Award. From all of the applications received, three finalists are selected for each award based on their personal accomplishments and community involvement. Meet this year’s final three for each of these prestigious awards:</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Mike and Sarah Hertsel<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Mike and Sarah Hertsel live in Syracuse, Ind., along with their three children: Elizabeth, 7, George, 4, and Caroline who is nearly 2. Mike worked for 10 years as a livestock feed specialist. Then one day, one of Mike’s customers provided him with a chance to work on a grain and livestock farm. Sarah is a homemaker as well as a cosmetologist at a local salon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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During high school, Mike and Sarah were active in 4-H and FFA. Shortly after college, Mike became involved with Farm Bureau. Mike and Sarah are currently active with Ag in the Classroom farm tours, food checkout day, their county tractor parade group, and the Your Food at the Fair scavenger hunt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Jeff and Jenna Demerly<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Jeff and Jenna Demerly moved to his home county of White County nearly 4 years ago. They have three children: Adalynn, 5, Austin, 3, and Archer, 1. Jeff owns a business that sells Pioneer seed, crop insurance risk management, and general consulting. His job consists of working with farmers closely to help maximize their profitability through the growing and harvesting of corn, soybeans, and wheat. “I wake up each morning feeling blessed to have this opportunity, and I take it very seriously.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jeff has served as chairman of the Young Farmer Committee, board member, and vice president, then was elected as president in 2013. Not only is he involved with Farm Bureau, but he is also active with 4-H, FFA, and their church.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Jeremy and Lindsay Barron<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Jeremy and Lindsay Barron of Noble County keep themselves busy by being involved in their community and Farm Bureau and by chasing their two boys around: Lane, 4, and Lawson, 19 months.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jeremy graduated from American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Partners in Agricultural Leadership, is a member of AFBF’s grassroots GO Team and made it to the Final Four in the national discussion meet at last year’s AFBF convention in San Diego.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The financial services lead for Cargill Risk Management, Jeremy helps grain, livestock, and dairy farmers better manage their risk and increase their profitability.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lindsay’s primary job is being a wife and mom as well as helping with farm finances. She also manages the Ole Milk House which is a repurposed milking parlor where she sells antiques and primitives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Achievement Award Finalist</span></b></div>
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<b>Jacob and Jennifer Walker<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Jake and Jennifer Walker live in DeKalb County with their two children: Ryan, 2 ½, and Leann, 1 ½. Jake credits college, working in sales for a farm management software company, and owning a precision ag business for helping him better manage his farming partnership with his parents. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jake came back to farm full-time in 2008. The Walkers raise 4,950 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. They also do custom straw baling, tiling, excavating and manage a Beck’s seed dealership. Jennifer is a district conservationist with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Jake recently joined the board of directors for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and is the co-founder for a regional pro-ag group called Friends of Agriculture. They are also actively involved with their church and the Down Syndrome Association.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Craig Fruechte and his wife, Mindy, raise 24,000 turkeys and also farm 581 acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa in Decatur, Ind. Craig and his dad also custom harvest about 700 acres for nearby farmers. They have two children, Mason and Brielle. The Fruechtes also raise four steers and 60 hogs that they market to their urban co-workers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Craig and Mindy both have jobs off the farm; however, they each dream of working on the farm full-time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Craig currently serves as Adams County Farm Bureau vice president and Mindy is the education and outreach coordinator for the county. They also each have a passion for 4-H, as Craig helps young showmen develop better techniques for the show ring and Mindy serves as Mini 4-H leader teaching 125 6- to 8-year-olds about agriculture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Matt and Brianna Chapman from Springport live on the family farm with their 1 ½ year old daughter, Grace. They met while at Purdue University where Matt earned an associate’s degree in agricultural economics and Brianna received a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environmental sciences. Today they each have careers in agriculture. Brianna owns two retail flower shops in Middletown and New Castle and Matt farms about 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat with his younger brother, along with a custom hay-baling business that he started while in high school. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Matt’s father, Tim, retired from farming in 2013which allowed him to take over the operation. Matt and his younger brother are now partners of the operation, farming the ground their father owned and rented. Also, they have rented additional acres.</div>
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The Chapmans are very active in Farm Bureau, as well as the Henry County Farm Bureau Young Farmer program. Matt is currently serving as chairman and Brianna is secretary. Both are involved in various areas of the community as well, serving on their township park board and in their church.<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-19569576111762446592015-10-23T13:57:00.000-04:002015-10-23T13:57:27.956-04:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: The Hills<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Heather and Marc Hill farm in Hancock County along with their three kids, Addison, Reese, and Hadley, and Marc’s parents, Steve and Debi. Hill Farms raises corn, soybeans, wheat and pigs. Marc is the 4<sup>th</sup> generation of his family to raise pigs in Hancock County. “All of the corn we raise on our family farm is used to feed our pigs,” Heather explains. “We market the majority of the 13,000 pigs we raise each year to Tyson and other packers so that our pork ends up in a grocery store near you; however, we do sell a small percentage of our pigs under our private label, The Pork Shoppe.”Nearly 10 years ago, Debi and Heather started The Pork Shoppe as a way to educate their neighbors about their farm and raise some money for the Hill kids’ college by selling retail pork cuts directly to consumers via farmer’s markets and other retail locations. “I created the business plan as a part of my final project when I received my MBA. Today we sell pork under The Pork Shoppe label year-round at the <a href="http://www.hoosierharvestcouncil.com/farmers-markets/farmers-market-at-the-fairgrounds/">Farmer’s Market at the fairgrounds in Greenfield</a>, the <a href="http://www.statehousemarket.com/">Statehouse Market</a> from May to October, <a href="http://www.indianapolisorchard.com/">Tuttle Orchards</a>, the online <a href="http://hoosierharvestmarket.com/">Hoosier Harvest Market</a> and via <a href="mailto:proudporkmom@gmail.com">appointment</a>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of the pigs at Hill Farms are raised the same, whether they are selling them to Tyson or for The Pork Shoppe. “Our pigs are our top priority on our family farm and ensuring that we raise healthy pigs so that our family and all of yours have safe and nutritious pork to eat is what it is all about. Our family is proud to carry on the tradition that was started by our family so many years ago and to be able to build upon their knowledge and combine it with current education to make the best decisions for our animals. My grandfather died over 25 years ago, and I can only wish that he could see how we raise our pigs today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, whether you buy pork at the grocery store or the farmers’ markets, as a former Indiana Pork Producers Association President, Heather can ensure you that the farmers who raised those pigs provided the best care possible to their pigs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can follow along with Heather’s family’s adventures at <a href="http://www.3kidsandlotsofpigs.com/">www.3kidsandlotsofpigs.com</a>, on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/3kidsandlotsofpigs">www.facebook.com/3kidsandlotsofpigs</a>, and on Twitter and Instagram at @proudporkmom.<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-42909211083887150532015-10-01T17:50:00.000-04:002015-10-01T17:50:37.635-04:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: The Schoettmers<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><div>
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Keith Schoettmer and his wife of 33 years, Darla, started Schoettmer Prime Pork, Inc. in Tipton, Ind. in 1987. Their pig farm began when they bought a 450-sow operation on contract from another farmer. “We built aggressively through the 90’s and slowly worked our way up to 1050 sows, which is our current sow inventory. We place the highest emphasis on herd health.” The first-generation farm is a farrow-to-finish pig farm that raises nearly 23,000 pigs per year from the 1050 sows. “This is a daily inventory of around 12,000 head kept in 13 barns, including three off-site units.” The Schoettmers do not farm any row crops; however, they purchase nearly 225,000 bushels of corn, used for pig feed, from neighbors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Purdue University graduate cares strongly about the welfare of his animals. “The first step is to be sure we have the right, well-trained people in place to care for the animals every day, 365 days a year. We constantly monitor the environment the animals live in to make them as comfortable as possible. We are also constantly analyzing the nutrition of the pigs to be sure they have balanced feed every day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Keith and Darla are the parents of four children, three of whom are married. They also have four grandchildren with two on the way. Keith says that God is a very integral part of their farm. “We have a staff of eight people on our farm. This includes a full-time maintenance person and two managers who oversee the production on a daily basis. We value our employees both on and off the farm and start each day with a staff devotion and prayer.”</div>
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So, where can you buy pork from Schoettmer Prime Pork, Inc.? Keith explains, “We do not sell direct to consumers, but through Indiana Packers in Delphi, so if you buy Indiana Kitchen Pork, you may have eaten some of our product!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-53507509636737078032015-09-15T16:48:00.000-04:002015-09-15T17:11:20.148-04:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: Pleasant View Orchard<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Conveniently located 1 mile north of Interstate 74 in Northwest Shelby County, Pleasant View Orchard is home to 31 acres of apple trees, as well as a 2-acre pumpkin patch. As Adria Kemper explains, “The orchard was started in the 1930’s by the Reude family. It was then purchased by the Anderson family in the early 1990’s, then sold to the Hopkins family in the mid-1990’s, who were friends of the Anderson family. The orchard remained Anderson Orchard until we purchased it in 2013. We renamed it Pleasant View Orchard. We grow over 20 varieties of apples that are harvested from July through October. We offer U-Pick apples and pumpkins.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pleasant View Orchard, owned by brothers Jeff and Duane Kemper and their families, also has a country store that allows people to purchase bagged apples, fresh vegetables, fruit, preserves, apple butter, specialty sauces, and much more. Tractor rides are part of the fun as families make their way out to the 2-acre pumpkin patch which usually begins the last weekend in September. There’s also a playground for the kids to enjoy. As their website says, “There’s something for the whole family.” Pleasant View Orchard also has a concession stand filled with homemade apple cobbler, elephant ears, fried biscuits with apple butter, corn dogs, hot dogs, nachos, BBQ sandwiches, caramel apples and apple cider slushes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The orchard is currently open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Free events this season at the orchard include:<o:p></o:p></div>
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September 26<sup>th</sup>-Live Hammered Dulcimer music from 3-6 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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October 3<sup>rd</sup>- Live music from Steve Jeffris from 3-6p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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October 10<sup>th</sup>-Live music from Birch Creek Bluegrass Band from 3-6 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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October 25<sup>th</sup>- Trunk or Treat at 2p.m./ Silly Safaris show at 3 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information, visit their website: www.pleasantvieworchardin.com</div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-74763976913611879782015-09-06T08:05:00.001-04:002015-09-22T13:48:02.246-04:00I am Indiana Agriculture: Satek Winery<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Satek Winery, located near the intersection of I-80/90 and I-69, sees great volume of traffic passing by; most drivers are unaware the winery exists before seeing the road signage, Jason Satek explains. “Satek Winery is, in a sense, a cautionary tale; what may happen if you follow your passion and let a hobby take over your life. If that sounds appealing, or even not unappealing, our story may even be inspirational.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason’s father, Larry, began as an amateur winemaker around 1975 in Chesterton, Maryland. He was a college professor teaching chemistry, and the house that he and his wife rented happened to have a few grape vines in the backyard. “He had the knowledge, the raw materials, and the curiosity, and he had the time. He also had a 3-year-old, but I must not have been too time-consuming! He began with small batches and began the process of gaining experience. He found that he enjoyed it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Larry left academia in 1979 and took a job with Amoco Research in Illinois. “Amoco was acquired by British Petroleum and there had begun to be a great number of layoffs,” Jason explains. With three kids in college, Larry and Jason’s step-mother, Pam, decided to look to agriculture as a backup plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“My step-mother was raised in Fremont, in the 101 Lakes region of NE Indiana. Her great-grandfather had purchased 28 acres of lakeshore property on the third basin of Lake James in 1915—the land that they still reside on today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Sateks cleared two acres of what was an apple orchard in the 1930’s and 40’s. They planted the original six varieties of grapes, which they tended, sprayed, pruned and harvested to sell to other wineries in Michigan and Indiana. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“In June of 2001, they opened Satek Winery and haven’t looked back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Satek Winery offers free wine tasting in the tasting room overlooking the production area. They usually carry around 20 different wines ranging from dry to sweet, red, white and rose, local and more remote. “We maintain quality across the board and have won medals for almost every wine ever made. Our better sellers are sweeter wines, but their success allows us to produce drier, more niche, wines that might appeal to a smaller, select audience.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“My father and step-mother have long preached, ‘Good wine, good fun’ as a mantra, and we have developed a handful of yearly events: art shows, a holiday open house, a 5K run/walk and 10K run, and a celebration of Steuben County’s namesake Baron von Steuben, to name a few. But we have largely chosen to grow through distribution. Satek wine can now be found throughout Indiana, and that is a growth pattern any farmer could be pleased with.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-58360014808849253352015-08-24T12:36:00.001-04:002015-08-24T12:36:49.956-04:00I am Indiana Agriculture: Hoosier Homestead<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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Jill Hanson speaks fondly of her Hoosier Homestead farm that
sits near the Putnam and Hendricks county line.
She says her “mind is filled with a lot of good memories from growing up
near the family farm.” Jill’s great-great-grandfather
originally bought the farm in 1856. Her
mother, Wynona Strietelmeier, passed away nearly 20 years ago, but received the
centennial award for the farm before her passing. “I think it is such a neat award. I remember my mother getting the 100-year
homestead award and when I heard that there was a 150- and 200-year award, I
knew that I wanted to apply for the 150-year award. I’m 67, so hopefully my daughter will get the
200-year award.” <o:p></o:p><br />
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According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture,
the Hoosier Homestead program began in 1976 to recognize the contributions
these family farms have made to the economic, cultural, and social advancements
of the state. In the past 30 years, more
than 5,000 farms have been recognized for operating under long-time continuous
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The homestead used to be the setting of a house and barn, as
well as a 20-acre wood and farm ground. While
the house and barn are now gone, the others remain. “The ground is farmed out. My mother rented it out to a friend that she
grew up with and now his son farms it.
We enjoy mushroom hunting in the woods.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jill has two brothers, Jim and Dean Strietelmeier, who did
the majority of the planting on the farm growing up. “I remember hay rides on the farm, feeding
the goats and the hogs, fishing in the creek and river, and playing in the
woods. My brother Jim was swinging
across the river on a grapevine one time and the vine broke and he fell and broke
his arm. We would also drive the
tractors, or just steered the tractor if we weren’t old enough to drive. Back then, we did so much together. We used to go to the farm every day, and it
was such a good time. We went to the
farm to work, but we also had fun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-91956970822948025182015-08-09T21:30:00.000-04:002015-08-09T21:30:35.482-04:00We Are Indiana Agriculture: Walker Farms<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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“Agriculture has always been a part of my life,” Stacy Walker of Rensselaer says. The daughter of a farmer, she remembers while growing up her mom always gardened and canned. “I really got interested in agriculture as something to pursue my 8<sup>th</sup> grade year of school when we were able to take a vocation agriculture class through our high school. This is where I knew I wanted to do something in the horticulture area.” While in high school, Stacy participated a lot in class and did horticulture judging in FFA. She graduated from Purdue with a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design with a minor in Food and Agribusiness Management. In 2005, she married her high school sweetheart, Scott, and they have 3 kids, Ty, 8, Lane, 6, and Brynn, 3. Scott is a superintendent for a commercial construction company. “Currently, I am a work-at-home mom with an online newborn photography prop business, and also work part-time for a wedding planner and am a part-time florist, along with managing our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and growing produce on our farm. I also help my dad and brother in the field with hay and harvest and am the County Education and Outreach Coordinator for Jasper County Farm Bureau.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga58R3h05kgHgyu6ZHH3c8dMh_Ucdy_JCdrSY9qNzFmfpZw-oVPasVSm6j8dqL4raF1SnGsoXgmYxOjeu0C0mI8aSdZnsLsnhHS1gkW_1Uk6X3NZJSSLVIll_6lg-mfu_4ynEAq_Wc3Io/s1600/WalkerIMG_4317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga58R3h05kgHgyu6ZHH3c8dMh_Ucdy_JCdrSY9qNzFmfpZw-oVPasVSm6j8dqL4raF1SnGsoXgmYxOjeu0C0mI8aSdZnsLsnhHS1gkW_1Uk6X3NZJSSLVIll_6lg-mfu_4ynEAq_Wc3Io/s400/WalkerIMG_4317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Walker Farms began in 2006 with pumpkins. They sold wholesale to a local business. In 2007, the couple added produce and started selling at farmers markets. In 2008, they added their CSA and have been doing all three ever since. The Walkers grow a wide variety of produce beginning with cool crops in early spring, followed by summer crops, then cool crops again in the fall. “We grow about 5 acres of produce and about 8 acres of pumpkins. We planted several strawberry plants last year and plan to expand that as well as expanding pumpkins. Pumpkins and Indian corn are our main crops that we grow. Our favorites are probably the pumpkins and all the fall décor crops, kohlrabi, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, green onions, sweet corn, and peppers. We also raise chickens. They supply us with delicious fresh eggs, and we also sell frozen free-range whole chicken. We also have some goats, rabbits, ducks, and turkeys on the farm.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“In between planting and harvest we do a lot of weeding! We got a Farmall Cub last year and that helps tremendously with keeping between the rows clean. If we need to haul water to our crops we have a large tank that we fill and put up our irrigation throughout the garden to make sure things are watered.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Walkers’ three children love to help, especially with pumpkins. “Although their attention doesn’t last long, we take any help they want to give. They are right there along with us, helping and cleaning the produce. The go play and come back and help more. They like to help plant the seeds and plants. I would say their favorite is helping pick pumpkins and gourds. We make it a family affair!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Growing produce, just like any other crop, is at the mercy of the weather. “This year is a difficult one for us and probably our worst year we have had. We can manage to keep our crops irrigated in drought spells, but this year 20 inches of rain in consecutive days was hard on our crops. The fields stayed wet, so we couldn’t get in to work ground to maintain the weeds as well. We are able to supply for our CSA members easily and for our self, but we had to give up the farmers market this year, as we didn’t have a lot of extra produce to have a good variety at the farmers market. Any extra we have I am canning and freezing. “<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Walkers also have Fall Harvest Days at their farm a few weekends in October. Started in 2009, visitors can find pre-picked pumpkins and gourds, since the pumpkin field is a few miles from their farm, along with straw, Indian corn, and fall produce. They do a few kids activities as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Stacy explains, “A lot of the reason we grow produce is for ourselves. I like to can and freeze a variety of things. My mom taught me how to can, so I try to keep several quarts of different things each year. I love to can green beans, beets, tomato juice and pickles. I freeze peppers, onions, and strawberry jam. I like that it teaches my kids to live off the land. They are seeing, start to finish, how produce is grown. We love interacting with customers at the farmers markets. I always enjoy hearing their recipes and what they did with the produce they bought. Today many consumers want to know where their food comes from and know the farmer. It is a great feeling that we can make that connection and talk to our customers about our produce.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can follow Stacy and her family on her blog: <a href="http://www.thebackroadlife.com/">www.thebackroadlife.com</a> where she shares recipes, gardening, farm life, and her love for vintage things. She is also on Facebook and @stacyfarmsew on Instagram and Twitter.<o:p></o:p></div>
Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868590494314509290.post-68629932126187287812015-07-24T20:24:00.000-04:002015-07-24T20:24:16.276-04:00I am Indiana Agriculture: Joe Tuholski<i>By Sarah Mahan of <a href="http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.com/" target="_blank">This Farm Family's Life</a></i><br />
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The Glass Barn is one of the many attractions at the Indiana State Fair. It opened in 2013 and gives visitors a “vivid experience of what life is like for farmers and their families.” Visitors can chat with a real farmer throughout the day, test their farming knowledge by playing a game of Beango, and experience the interactive games and exhibits.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Joe Tuholski is one of the farmers visitors will have the chance to chat with and “visit” his farm. Joe is a third-generation farmer from Mill Creek, Indiana. He has been married to his wife Cheryl for 17 years and they have two sons, ages 11 and 9. Joe’s grandfather purchased the original farm in the 50s from Peter Scholl (Dr. Scholl). “The farm has grown considerably over the past 60 years. We grow soybeans, seed corn, popcorn, field corn, wheat and alfalfa. We also raise a few steers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the Tuholskis’ Northwest Indiana farm, they have six family members working full-time. “There are three second-generation on the farm that include my dad and his two brothers and three third-generation that include myself and two cousins. We also have some part-time help during the fall harvest, when it gets busy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Joe says “The goal of The Glass Barn at the State Fair is to educate the public. Young or old, we want the people of Indiana to know about local farmers and why we do what we do. As a featured farmer of The Glass Barn, I get to tell the story of my family’s farm and what we are doing to keep our operation sustainable. The thing I enjoy most about The Glass Barn is knowing everyone leaves there with a better understanding of the agriculture here in Indiana.”</div>
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Indiana's Family of Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15573341230709727338noreply@blogger.com0