Hot and Spicy Potato Soup

How about some Hot and Spicy Potato Soup to warm you up on this cold Spring day?

Ingredients

2 bacon slices

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped poblano chiles

1 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeno pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin

3 minced garlic cloves

2 16-ounce cans fat free chicken broth

5 cups diced peeled baking potatoes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup flour

2 1/2 cups skim milk

5 ounces Cabot 50% Light Jalapeno Cheddar cheese

2 ounces Cabot 50% Light Cheddar cheese

2/3 cup onion

Directions
Cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan leaving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Crumble bacon, set aside.

Add carrots and next 5 ingredients to drippings. Sauté until golden brown. Stir in broth and add potato and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes or until potato is tender. Combine flour and milk in a small bowl stirring with a whisk. Add to pan slowly. Cook over medium heat until thick, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat. Add reduced fat and Jalapeno Cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.

Serve in bowls topped with green onions and crumbled bacon.

Recipe created by Cabot Creamery, Courtesy of http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org

Nutritional Facts
Calories: 171

Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 8 mg
Sodium: 705 mg
Calcium: 20% Daily Value
Protein: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g

Psst... Don't forget to enter our $50 grocery gift card giveaway this week!

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with us!

By Liz Kelsay of The Indiana Soybean Alliance

As National Nutrition Month comes to an end what better way to celebrate than find a new recipe to make with or for your family. So, as you are planning your meals for this week or making you list for the grocery store be sure to check these out!

Ott, A. over at A Latte with Ott, A. just finished an Iron Chef Challenge using Indiana’s own Red Gold Tomatoes. Check out all the great recipes and a winner should be announced soon!

Leah over at Beyer Beware has “Hunk of Meat Monday’s” where you are sure to find a great recipe for the center of your table!

Gooseberry Patch had a “Recipe Round-Up” last week where over 130 recipes were shared. I would highly recommend the Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies, I made them over the weekend and they were great!

 Sarah from This Farm Family’s Life cooked up a Cheddar Potato Soup that looks awesome!

The Winners Drink Milk blog is celebrating National Nutrition Month by Eating Right with Color – Vegetable Frittata. 

To celebrate National Nutrition Month we are giving away another $50 gift card to your favorite grocery store! Just tell us what you would buy with the card if you won. You can tell us here, on Facebook and/or on twitter! Winner will be announced on Friday.

The Real Farmwives of America & Friends: The Cycle of Life

Today the ladies over at the Real Farmwives of America & Friends are talking about the Cycle of Life. 
Head on over to their Facebook page and get a glimpse at a range of different farms, the cycle of life on their farms and the ladies behind the scenes.

What is the one thing that is always in YOUR grocery cart?

As we conclude Ag Appreciation Month, we would like to thank all of our Indiana Farmers for keeping our grocery carts full...

...and our grills fully stocked this year!

As a way to say thanks to you for purchasing all our farmers have to offer, we are giving away another $50 grocery gift card to one lucky reader/facebook fan/twitter follower!

To enter, just comment here, post on our facebook fan page or tweet @familyoffarmers and let us know the one thing we would always find in your grocery cart.

Winner will be announced on Friday.

Media Cow Milking Champion Crowned!

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2011) —As the final celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, today Tracy Forner of  WISH-TV’s Indy Style’s demonstrated his “dairy domination” to become Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion!

Action shot of Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner.

The Milking Madness took place on the Government South lawn with each contestant given just 60 seconds to show their “udder” skill. Forner squeezed out the competition and confirmed his slot in the coveted Indiana State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

 “As a professional dairyman I’ve seen a lot of milkers in my day, but Tracy is one of the best.  Good hands, good technique – all around a great champion,” said Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Dave Smiley of WZPL’s Smiley Morning Show, 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Alford, Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner of WISH-TV’s Indy Style, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, John Stehr of WTHR-TV, Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Final amounts:

(100 ml)  Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(70 ml)  Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(Trace)  John Stehr of WTHR

(Trace)  Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show            

(Trace)  Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM

Indiana’s Family of Farmers would like to thank all of the media contestants for participating, the Statehouse Events and Tours Department for their support, Indiana Pork and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana for providing a taste of the State fair with free pork burgers and milk for spectators, and Steve Hendress, animal science instructor and assistant manager of the dairy research farm at Purdue University who was kind enough to drive today’s cow Sheila and Patty the 4-day old calf all the way from Lafayette for the occasion.

We are also grateful to Dave Russell of Brownfield radio who served as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay for his “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford for her punctual timekeeping and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau who served as judge.

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

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Photos are available in a higher resolution upon request. You will also find additional photos on the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

FFA: One Generation to the Next

Guest Post By Micah Matlock, 2010-2011 Indiana FFA State Sentinel

Agriculture is the foundation of civilization and society today, just as it has been for over the past 10,000 years.  Just as civilization and society has changed drastically from generation to generation, so has agriculture.  I come from a family of dairy farmers over 4 generations back on both sides of the family.  There are few things that I find more fascinating than having the chance to sit down with my grandfather and listen to him ramble on about the “glory days” when he was a dairy farmer in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  It is astounding to see how far agriculture has come in the last 50 years.

The list of changes in agriculture from 4 generations ago is endless.  Even the list of changes from one generation ago (my father’s generation) to today’s generation is extensive.  When my dad was managing a 500 head registered Holstein farm in the late 1980’s, corn was only $2.00 per bushel, diesel was only $1.50 per gallon, and milk was $12.00.  Now, for various reasons, prices of these commodities have risen significantly with corn at $7.00 per bushel, diesel at $3.70 per gallon, and milk nearing $18 per hundred weight and these prices will no doubt only continue to rise!  Agriculture has always been, is, and will always be the foundation of our American economy.

Even the changes in FFA from my father’s generation, when he served as the 1971-1972 Indiana FFA State Vice President, to my generation have been drastic as I now serve as the 2010-2011 Indiana FFA State Sentinel.  For instance, ‘FFA’ is no longer called the Future Farmers of America.  Instead, we are now simply known (on the national level) as the National FFA Organization to further demonstrate the changing agriculture industry as it diversifies and becomes more than just farming.  Also, for the majority of the time that my father was an FFA member, women were not allowed in FFA in Indiana until 1970.  Now, not only do women make up over 50 percent of the membership, they also hold over 60 percent of the leadership positions in FFA.  For example, for the first time in Indiana FFA history, the Indiana FFA State Officer team consists of six women, and one guy (me).  Those were only two changes out of the countless number of changes that the FFA has seen since it began in 1923. 

What’s even more exciting than how much agriculture has changed in the past 50 years is how fast agriculture is changing today.  What we have seen is that each generation in our country becomes one more generation of American society that is removed from the farm.  This creates less and less understanding about where our food comes from and how it is produced.  Therefore, the demand for excellent leaders in the agriculture industry that can proactively advocate the importance of agriculture continues to rise.  That demand has in turn placed pressure upon my generation’s shoulders to be able to carry the load when our time comes.  I have no doubt that my generation of FFA members (over 523,000 members strong nation-wide) will rise to the challenge to see that agriculture continues to flourish, just as it has since the first person grew their first crop.

Gardening Tips From Real Farmwives of America & Friends Ott, A.

Guest Post By Real Farmwives of America & Friends' Amy Ott of A Latte with Ott, A

Here in Central Indiana there is still a chill in the air, but as each day passes another robin hops around our yard, the length of the day gets a little bit longer and the grass green up a little bit more. This is a great time of year to start planning your garden.  Here are a few tips for simple tasks to help ensure a successful garden later in the growing season. 

Plant some pansies. Pansies are a great flower to plant in early spring as they are hardy enough to be resistant to frost and come in several pretty colors.

Plant cool season crops such as peas, onions, swiss chard, spinach and lettuce in early spring so they mature before the hot weather arrives.

There's an old wives tail that you should plant your potatoes before Good Friday for good results.  (Except for this year where Easter is really late, you may want to do plant them a little earlier.)

Plant seeds inside to transplant into your garden later in the season. Seed trays are a great way to get plants started, just keep the seedlings in sunny place.

Plot out your garden space so crops grow in different spots than in previous seasons. This not only helps your soil, but also keeps plants from being susceptible to disease.

Clean up garden area and prepare the soil.  This can be as simple as cleaning out any dead plants on weeds that overwintered, to tilling the soil, to adding compost.

Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana Concludes with “Moovalous” Media Cow Milking Contest!

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 17, 2011) — As the conclusion of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, five members of the Indianapolis media will see who squeezes out the competition in the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Contest on the Government South lawn Monday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m.

      

Contestants include John Stehr of WTHR, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, Tracy Forner & Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM. Dave Russell of Brownfield radio will serve as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director (and dairy farmer) Joe Kelsay will provide coaching and “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford will be the official timekeeper and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau  will serve as the judge.

Each contestant will be given just 60 seconds to show they have the “udder” skill to earn the honor of Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion and confirm his or her slot in the coveted State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

In addition, spectators will be able to enjoy an early taste of the State Fair with Indiana Pork providing free pork burgers on a first come-first served basis.  Plus, Milk Promotion Services of Indiana will make a cool contribution from the Dairy Bar by providing milk chugs also on a first-come first-served basis.   

Who:                

John Stehr of WTHR

Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show

Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style 

Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

Dave Smiley of the WZPL-FM Smiley Morning Show

Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay

Dave Russell of Brownfield Radio  

2011 State Fair Queen, Sarah Lynn Alford 

Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau

         

When:              

Monday, March 21, 2011

Time:              

11:30 a.m.

Where:           

Government Center South Lawn

Off of Robert Orr Drive

Indianapolis, IN

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

###

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

A World Without Farmers

Have you ever thought about what your favorite grocery store would look like if farmers didn't exist?

Thankfully, Indiana is full of farm families that help make sure that our nation's shelves are filled with your family's favorite ingredients.

Celebrate National Ag Week with us and tell us what your favorite grocery store is and why here and on Facebook to be entered to win a $50 gift card to the grocery store of your choice!

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 10-12 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 10-12

Morgan Williams, 12^th Grader at Rushville Consolidated High School

Teacher:  Blair Orme

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Indiana agriculture has influenced our lives in more ways than we realize. Without our farms, life as we know it today would cease to exist. Agriculture is essential to our lives. Farmers not only feed and provide us with clothing, but they also protect our environment and boost our economy. Farms keep our way of life going.

In recent years, agriculture has come to mean more than just farming the land and feeding our population. Farmers in Indiana and all across the nation constantly develop new ways to protect and preserve our environment. They discover new ways to preserve our soil and farm the land more efficiently. These days, agriculturalists help keep our food safe to eat, efficiently produce more products, and help our economy grow and prosper.

The safety of our food has become a debated issue within the United States. Agricultural research has developed new ways to farm the land efficiently without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Researchers have found ways to keep food safe, while still protecting our crops from harmful insects and other sorts of animals. Regulations on how much of each chemical can be used and how much can be used have been established. Also, we have seen an increase in organic food on grocery shelves. More consumers want to see their food grown in more natural ways, with fewer chemicals.

Agriculture has grown to be more efficient by discovering ways to plant more and harvest more. Nowadays, farms harvest a significantly larger amount of crops within a year. With more being produced, agriculture has stimulated our sinking economy. The food and other goods produced from our farmers are essentials that consumers buy, and this all keeps our economy going.

Agriculture affects our everyday lives in positive ways that we tend to overlook. We take our food, our clothing, and our farms for granted more often than we should. We need to remember that without farms and rural communities, life could not go on. Indiana agriculture improves our lives and helps make this world a better place for everyone.

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 7-9 and Overall Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 7-9; Overall

Casey Campbell, 9th Grader at Franklin Community High School

Teacher:  Sarah Rapp

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Let’s think for a second. This morning you most likely had breakfast. Eggs? Bacon?

Follow the paths that your breakfast took. Those eggs came from a chicken. That chicken was on a farm, run by a farmer. That crispy bacon on your plate came from a hot, which came from a hog operation. Think of the work those farmers did for you. The care, effort, and time those farmers gave to give you one meal. American farmers feed and clothe us, contribute to the economy, protect the environment, improve our health and so much more.

American farmers feed you and me. They spend countless hours of hard work, effort and time into pulling food on the table, whether it’s the farmer in Florida or the grain producer in Iowa laboring over wheat to make your birthday cake. Your shirt was one of the 1,217 shirts that came from one 500 pound cotton bale! So where would we be without American farmers? Hungry and Naked, But, American farmers do much more than that.

Farmers do more than feed us. They feed the world’s economy. Agriculture employs about 14 percent of America’s workforce and accounts for more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Agriculture and the economy are best friends. The crops fail, prices and demand go up. The economy goes bad, agriculture goes down with it.

If anyone protects the environment, it’s farmers. Farmers care of the land and protect it. They preserve the land by soil and water conservation. Because without the land, we couldn’t farm. They are for controlled and planned urbanization. On their farms, they increase energy efficiency. Farmers do so much to protect our planet.

Farmers improve our health by giving us a continual supply of high quality food and fibers. Farmers give us an abundance of goods to keep us healthy. They care about the quality of their products. They give us adequate nutrition we need for excellent health! Without the supply, we would no longer be here!

American agriculture plays an enormous role in my life, even if I didn’t live on a farm. Farmers keep me fed and clothed, they even improve my health. Not to mention how they protect the environment and improve the economy. So, thank you to all of Indiana’s farmers for doing what you do.

Statehouse displays capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2011) — As part of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month,  Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF), a coalition of more than a dozen ag-related organizations, will provide ag-related displays that highlight the products and services Indiana farmers provide Indiana families. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit the Statehouse South Atrium March 14-16 to learn more about where their food comes from and the many Indiana farmers who provide the wide array of products needed to ensure a dependable supply of it -- as well as fuel and fiber.

As part of the effort to help consumers make that vital connection, visitors can enjoy an interactive experience with the traveling exhibit for the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, which examines and celebrates the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The Food for Thought program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world.  Here is a glimpse of the exhibit:

What:            Indiana’s Family of Farmers Ag Displays 

           Indiana Humanities Council’s Food for Thought Exhibit

When:          Monday, March 14 thru Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Time:            All day until 3 p.m. Wednesday

Where:         Indiana Statehouse, South Atrium

                         Indianapolis, IN

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

About the Indiana Humanities Council

The Indiana Humanities Council connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read, talk and listen. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.

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Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Communications Director

Indiana Humanities Council

317.638.1500 x125, kwells@indianahumanities.org

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 4-6 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 4-6

Adrianna Dague, 6^th Grader at Caston Elementary, Fulton County

Teacher:  Jennifer Baxter

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Farming is like a pebble thrown into a pond. It has a ripple effect on the whole community. Starting with part-time high school help who is working to afford the extras in life, or the full-time employee who is working to support their family.

There are a lot of businesses that wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for farming. From the veterinarian who cares for the many animals, to the fertilizer companies that help grow the crops.

As the ripple goes on, so do the effects on the community. The crops and animals will eventually travel from the farm to the grocery and clothing stores by way of the transportation system that is funded in part by the taxes that the many businesses related to agriculture pay.

Many colleges throughout Indiana offer agriculture degrees that help form the work base that is needed for future generations.

For my family farming is not a job or career, it is a way of life. It provides an opportunity for my parents to work from home. They’re always there to attend my many school and 4-H activities.

There is no other business that could cause such a ripple as farming.

Our Food, Our Farmers Video Winners

This week we will be sharing our winners from our video and essay contests, Our Food, Our Farmers.

Video

Grades 4-6:

Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools, Perry County, Teacher: Neal Stahly

Grades 7-9:

Jacob Smith of Corydon Central High School, Harrison County, Teacher: Denise Harmon

Grades 10-12:

Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

Video Overall Winner

Grades 10-12:
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

The contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world. Hoosiers can learn more by visiting the Food for Thought traveling exhibit, on display at the Indiana Statehouse March 11th-16th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

We will post essay winners later this week.

Lt. Governor honors essay contest winners that capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winners from grades 4-12 were awarded today at the Indiana Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2011) As part of the celebration marking Agriculture Appreciation Month here in Indiana, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman honored young Hoosiers at the Statehouse for their winning essays on “Our Food, Our Farmers.”

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Indiana Humanities Council, the 2011 Ag Essay Contest asked students to explain how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives—and in the lives of those around them.

Students in grades 4-12 shared their personal perspectives on paper and video. Their themes ranged from asking us to “Follow the past our breakfast came from” to “How agriculture has affected our lives.”

 “This essay contest was a great way for students to learn more about where their food comes from and the Hoosiers that produce it,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council. “We are happy to partner with Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Lieutenant Governor’s office to celebrate our rich agricultural history through the collection of student stories.”

There were two categories of competition: video essay and written essay; and three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. More than 225 students submitted written essays, and more than 50 submitted video essays.

All winners received a Flip Video^TM Camcorder. The overall champion in each category received an Apple iPad.

Essay contest winners are as follows:

Written

Grades 4-6: 

Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary, Fulton County, Teacher: Mrs. Baxter

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Grades 10-12: 

Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School, Rush County, Teacher: Blair Orme

Written Overall Winner

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Video

Grades 4-6: 
Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools, Perry County, Teacher: Neal Stahly

Grades 7-9: 
Jacob Smith of Corydon Central High School, Harrison County, Teacher: Denise Harmon

Grades 10-12: 
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

Video Overall Winner

Grades 10-12: 
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain.

The contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world. Hoosiers can learn more by visiting the Food for Thought traveling exhibit, on display at the Indiana Statehouse March 11^th-16^th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you,

your family and the environment.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

About the Indiana Humanities Council

The Indiana Humanities Council connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read, talk and listen. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.

###

Photo 1:  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Overall Written Essay Winner, Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School; Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council and Overall Video Essay Winner, Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School.

Photo 2:  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council (far right) and the attending Ag Essay Contest winners. From left to right: Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School; Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School; Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools; Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary and Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School.


Additional photos of the individual winners are available upon request.

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Communications Director

Indiana Humanities Council

317.638.1500 x125, kwells@indianahumanities.org

Jeannie Keating
Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture
One North Capitol, Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 696-9695
jkeating@isda.in.gov

Arts and Innovation = Opportunity for Indiana

And the best of the best in innovation is seen in the Indiana Artisan!

By Indiana State Department of Agriculture's Jeannie Keating

Indiana Artisan is an independent organization that supports entrepreneurs who create high-quality art, crafts and value-added foods in the Hoosier state. It was originally launched in 2008 as a comprehensive program of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Who is an Indiana Artisan?

An Indiana Artisan is a Hoosier recognized for careful attention to detail, knowledge of a craft and an entrepreneurial spirit. Their extraordinary talent contributes to Indiana's reputation for quality work.

They produce anything from specialty cheeses, handmade stoneware, honey and honey-based products, wood arts, wines, jewelry and even—the finest high-quality maple syrup.

Take an Artisan Adventure this weekend to the National Maple Syrup Festival in Medora, Indiana and you will be able to taste the exquisite maple syrup of Indiana Artisan, Tim Burton.

Tim and his wife Angie host the Festival and invited other artisans. These include:

 Jason Emmons, one of the top four chainsaw carvers in the United States chosen by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment to make up the national carving team in 2005. Thomas Wintczak a potter from Posey County who has studied the work of potters from the 18th and 19th centuries yet does not do reproductions. And the Founder of Chocolate for the Spirit, Julie Bolejack, who not only uses the best ingredients from around the world but achieved her professional chocolatier certification in 2008 from the esteemed Ecole Chocolat out of Vancouver, Canada.

Click here for other Indiana value-added food Indiana Artisans. 

If you would like to win an Indiana shaped basket full of Indiana Artisans' goods, visit their site and let us know (in the comments or on our Facebook page) what Indiana product you would most like to try.

Raising Kids on the Farm

Guest Post By Real Farmwives of America and Friends' Jent of From My Front Porch

I heard one time that teaching children work ethic has changed: It used to be that kids were interwoven in the fabric of our work, they saw their parents work and often were required to participate – whether on the farm, running a store, at the mill etc.  – kids were more exposed to the hard work and effort that it takes to support a thriving family. 

Now don’t get me wrong – I have no desire to go back to the 1900’s – I am all about technology but I do see the value in this point and feel truly blessed to live on a farm where our kids see and participate in our work. Our kids are a part of our livelihood – our jobs are truly a family lifestyle – they witness everyday our work ethic – they live it!  As my Father-In-Law says “Your work is your signature, sign it with pride” and I feel our kids witness this everyday on the farm.

I love the fact that my kids can:  artificially inseminate sows, halter break a calf, assist a cow giving birth, drive tractors.  They have seen a piglet take its first breath climbing over the back leg of a sow knowing instinctively where to go to nurse.  They know how to walk out in a field and look to see if a seed has germinated.   They help wean pigs every 5 weeks and are in charge of feeding and bedding the cows every day. Participating shoulder to shoulder with us and each other, they have learned responsibility and the advantage to cooperation. Our hope is that they learn the value of hard work, experiencing the satisfaction that it brings, and that work isn’t just something to get over with so you can move on to fun, but is something that can be rewarding as well. We feel instilling these qualities will pay dividends down the road, as well as right now, evidenced by their consistent appearance on the honor roll and their leadership roles in 4-H and FFA.

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Now just for the record our lives are not a Norman Rockwell painting everyday!  I can remember before Chris installed the automatic waterer for the kids' show calves, it was their job everyday to make sure the water trough was full – it didn’t always get done. To prove my point of how important it was that the cattle have water at all times the kids' punishment was to go without water (drinks) for 24 hours to see how it felt!  Now before anyone calls CPS – they were in school and I had no direct control over their thirst there and am pretty sure that they did not adhere 100% to my punishment but they did learn and needless to say the water trough was full every day until the automatic waterer was installed.  This was also the year I sat our oldest down to fill out her 4-H beef paperwork and when she got to the question:

List 3 things you learned this year:

1. Animals need water and when they don’t get it, it makes my Mom very mad!

I had to laugh – definitely LESSON LEARNED!

During our busiest times of year (planting and harvest) if I am working in the field  we often don’t eat supper until 9pm – this makes for grumpy kids sometimes and well quite frankly makes for a grumpy Mom too!  The kids do homework in a tractor, combine, semi or grain office – not the most conducive to book learning but we make due.  Then there are the days between school and extracurricular activities the only time they see their Dad is to catch a quick ride with him – but this is definitely one-on-one time!  A true blessing on a multi-generational farm like ours is knowing that we all work together, if  I am working, my mother in-law is always willing to run kids around, help with homework, and feed the hungry.

All in all the good times and laughter far outweigh the bad – and when the not so good come along we all definitely know how to pitch in, stick together and wade thru the manure (figuratively and literally) as a family.

I am so proud to be raising the 7^th generation to farm this same land if they choose to do so.  Chris and I both grew up on farms and know the importance of agriculture and instilling that in our kids.  We want them to know that if they want, we would love to have them be a part of something we love so much, but also know that if they choose to go a different direction in their life we are behind them 100% .  But never forget where you came from and the importance that agriculture has in every single person’s life everyday!

Wordless Wednesday: Moo

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