We are enjoying some sunshine for the first time in months alongside tolerable temperatures. But winter is not over according to the groundhog, or more importantly, the location of the Earth relative to the sun. So, before spring truly arrives it is important to be prepared for the upcoming growing seasons. As temperatures rise, so do our number of calendar events and obligations.
These warmer cold temperatures are perfect for pruning your fruit trees and your bramble bushes. Don’t stress if you do not know how to best prune your trees. Purdue Extension is here to help when it comes to fruit trees, homesteading, gardening and being prepared for emergencies.
There will be a Fruit Pruning Workshop from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb 28 at Meig’s Horticulture Research Farm near Romney. The event costs $10 at the door. Participants will learn from Purdue Horticulture Experts to learn how to prune apple trees, raspberry bushes, and grapes, and learn more about diseases that affect our fruit trees. To learn more, email triciaherr@purdue.edu
The Illinois and Purdue Bi-State Extension team has two conferences coming up.
On Feb. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET at The Beef House, join us for the Bi-State Homesteading Conference. We will have a panel on good food safety practices, and Tabby Flinn from Purdue Extension will discuss why to start beekeeping, and Katie Bell from Illinois Extension will discuss how to manage backyard chickens.
To register, email triciaherr@purdue.edu or go to https://bit.ly/BiStateHC.
Secondly, the Bi-State Garden conference was rescheduled due to poor road conditions on the original date. It has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Feb. 27 (change to start time) at the Beef House. Participants will learn about Jumping Worms, Organic Lawn Care Options, Weed Management and Greenhouse Production of Landscape Plants. To register, email triciaherr@purdue.edu or go to go.illinois.edu/BiStateGarden
Extension will host a multi-state emergency preparedness workshop series for rural families. The upcoming four-part extension workshop will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection and hazardous materials. This project was supported by a grant from NCRCRD through funding from USDA NIFA Award.
The program will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 5, 7, 12 and 14 at the Fountain County Fairgrounds, 476 W. U.S. 136, Veedersburg. Dinner is included. It is a collaboration between Women in Agriculture programs at Purdue University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural occupations have high rates of work-related injuries and deaths. While not all emergencies result in bodily injury or death, they also may cost rural families in other ways.
“In many farm and ranch families, safety is an important topic, but it sometimes gets overlooked because it does not directly impact profitability,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program.
There is a registration fee of $50 per person before Feb. 20. The fee increases to $60 per person after Feb. 20. Participants should plan to attend each session. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers. The virtual registration fee is $75 before Feb. 20 and $80 after Feb. 20. Registration may be completed on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/prep.
Local contact is Adam Tyler, Purdue Extension, Fountain County Ag and Natural Resources Educator tylerat@purdue.edu 765-793-6240 and Tricia Herr, Purdue Extension, Montgomery County Ag and Natural Resources Educator triciaherr@purdue.edu 765-364-6363.
Tricia Herr is the Montgomery County Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resource. The office is at 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville; 765-364-6363. She may be reached by email at triciaherr@purdue.edu.
