-
BLANN FARMS: 14 YEARS OF STRAWBERRY FIELDS
SHOWING SHEEPDecker family enjoys
showing flock, advocating
FIREBALL Mule foal wins familys heart
NUTS, BOLTS AND LAPTOPS Qualified technicians trained at VU John
Deere program
JUNE 2015
PRESERVING THE HARVEST Tips for safe canning
p1CoverJun15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:28 PM
-
812.254.0246TOLL-FREE 844.567.LOSE (5673)312 East Main Street
WashingtonWashingtonFatLoss.com
Being overweight has stolen a lot from you.Its time to start
enjoying summer again.
Swimming. Gardening.Mowing the lawn.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, these are all
serious conditions. The NutriMost Resonant Frequency Technology is
a scientific breakthrough that allows us to map your hormonal
fingerprint, which unlocks your bodys
innate healing abilities. Through our one-of-a-kind program we
will specifically target your problem areas, burning all ofthat
unwanted fat as well as targeting the toxic visceral fat around
your heart and other internal organs. When you lose
this fat, your other underlying health conditions can actually
disappear. Most patients end up dropping most if not all oftheir
prescription medications. How much will you save every month
without that cost? But saving money is just part of it.
Youll also save your life. You will lose 1-2 pounds every day
and permanently keep it off. Ask anyone whos tried it. NutriMost
just works.
You will lose 20-45lbs or more in 40 days GUARANTEED!No tricks,
no asterisk, no legal mumbo jumbo.
How many medications do you take? Are you cured yet?
p2DrBowlingJun15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:02 PM
-
Mayfield, KY | Morganfield, KY | Newberry, IN | Poseyville, IN |
Princeton, KY | Russellville, KY Paducah, KY | Clarksville, TN |
Clinton, KY | Cypress, IL | Evansville, IN | Jasper, IN |
Hopkinsville, KY
From your lawnto your farm...Hutson can help you get thejob done
with our newSouthern Indiana locations
EvansvillePoseyvilleJasperNewberry
(812) 424-5507(812) 874-2233(812) 634-1717(812) 659-2101
Evansville | Poseyville | Jasper | Newberry
w w w . h u t s o n i n c . c o m
p3HutsonJohnDeereJun15.indd 1 5/21/15 5:44 PM
-
4 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
SSINCE THE WEATHER has warmed, Ive spent every chance Ive had
outside. Even on drizzly, not-so-nice days, Ive logged my time
outside. In fact, only a downpour of rain or severe storm can keep
me from being outside. Planting is one of my favorite things to do.
Theres something about being outside with no distrac-tions from
technology and the hustle and bustle of my office job that I find
relaxing.
Many mornings, I can be found out planting the fields with my
grandfather before I head to the office. Those mornings are some of
my favorites and seem to help get my days off on the right foot. We
recently spent one morning planting rows of various colored beans.
We use an old John Deere two-row planter to do the rows that seem
to stretch on forever (or at least when Im trying to pick them).
Using the planter, while easier than depositing tiny bean seeds in
the sandy soil by hand, doesnt mean its an easy task. While Rabbit,
my grandfather, drives the tractor, I walk behind cov-
ering the little seeds the planter doesnt quite drop correctly.
Usually there arent too many seeds to cover up, but on this
particular day, it seemed like tons.
One of our rows was a little rough, mainly because it was an end
row that met up with the adjacent field that had already been
planted in soybeans, but I just wasnt expecting this. If youve ever
planted green beans before, you know that dif-ferent varieties of
seed are different colors. On this particular day, we were planting
royal purple pods, Burpee stringless and dragon tongues. While the
dragon tongues are a mottled white and purplish seed, the others
are more on the brown or mot-tled brown side, making them nearly
impossible to spot on top of the soil without paying close
attention.
As I hurried trying to cover all the seeds, the tractor creeped
ahead slowly but yet fast enough that after only a minute or so, I
had fallen several yards behind. In fact, by the time I was
finished, the old Case was preparing to turn the row.
Instinctively, I ran toward the tractor, flip flops flipping on the
warm sand. Then it happened my $1 flip flops died there at the far
end of the field. The part that goes between the toes had snapped
in half, leaving me with only one sandal and more than a
quarter-mile of row still to plant. Not wanting Rabbit to know what
hap-pened, I tossed the flip flop over by a tree in hopes it
wouldnt be found until I could retrieve it later, and hobbled the
rest of the way. When I made it to the house, my right foot was
caked in freshly cultivated sand I managed to track in (I blamed it
on Ellie Mae and Freddie, our dogs).
I knew better than to wear my favorite summertime footwear to
the field as this was not the first time Ive experienced footwear
difficulty in the big field (last year my rubber boot died in a
downpour of rain while I was trying to pick canta-loupes. The sole
has still not been located). More importantly than finally agreeing
with my grandfather that flip flops are not the most suitable field
footwear, Ive learned something else too. If its a sunny day, and
you work with one shoe on and one shoe off, theres a good chance
youll end up with one nicely tanned foot and ugly tan lines on the
other.
Lindsay Owens, editor
Send Lindsay your story ideas at [email protected].
EDITORS PAGESTAFF
Ron SmithPublisher
(812) 698-8788Melody Brunson General Manager
(812) 254-0480, Ext. 127
Lindsay Owens Editor
(812) 254-0480, Ext. 123
Natalie ReidfordDesign Editor(812) 568-8991
Sara Hornback Advertising Sales
(812) 254-0480, Ext. 111
Kim SchoelkopfAdvertising Sales
(812) 254-0480, Ext. 116
Wanita TetreaultAdvertising Sales
(812) 254-0480, Ext. 121
Alice SchwartzGraphic Artist
PHOTOGRAPHY
Matt Griffith, Terri Talarek King, Angie J. Mayfield, Angie
Lucas, Kelly Overton, Lindsay Owens, Bill Richardson, Jenna
Schaffer
and John Stoll
WRITERS
Terri Talarek King, Karel Kirschner, Damian Mason,
Angie J. Mayfield, J. Scott Monroe, Lindsay Owens, Dan
Ravellette, Bill Richardson, Jenna Schaffer, Rama Sobhani, Jennifer
Stefancik, John Stoll
and Gary Stuckey
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Growing in the Heartland is published five times a year, serving
primarily the Daviess and Knox county areas. The subscription price
of $20 per year can be mailed to P.O. Box 471, Washington, IN
47501.
p4EditorJun15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:25 PM
-
Frank SteppVice President
Thompson & Associates
Frank Stepp, Vice President of Thompson & Associates, is a
national leader in estate planning. He has helped thousands of
Americans draft estate plans which reduce estate taxes and increase
the assets which they can leave for their heirs.
Franks services are a gift to the community provided by Good
Samaritan Hospital Foundation.
Jennifer PachecoFoundation Director
Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
812-885-3377
TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTACT:
p5GSHFoundationJun15.indd 1 5/21/15 5:46 PM
-
6 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
4 EDITORS PAGEFlip-flops are not farming footwearBy Lindsay
Owens
8 GROWING FOOD, GROWING CHILDREN
Kids Harvest Garden a hands-on experience for children of all
agesBy Lindsay Owens
10 FARM KIDS CORNER
Sweet summer time
11 DOWN ON THE FARM
Wild pink rosesBy John H. Stoll
12 MANAGING INVASIVE PLANTS
Knox County Cooperative Weed Management AreaBy Terri Talarek
King
14 SHOWING, RAISING, ADVOCATING
Decker family enjoys showing sheep while educating publicBy Rama
Sobhani
16 THE FUNNIER SIDE OF FARMING
A flavorful discussion on agriculture and obesityBy Damian
Mason
17 STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOR YEARS
Blann Berries enjoys serving return customersBy Dan
Ravellette
20 COUNTY FAIR INFORMATION
Daviess and Knox County 4-H fair schedules
21 DIESEL COMPETITION REVVING UP
Wagler Diesel Competition inaugural event in ElnoraBy Lindsay
Owens
22 AG EDUCATIONGet ready to bring in the harvest!By J. Scott
Monroe, Jennifer Stefancik and Karel Kirschner
23 AN ENTHUSIASTIC ANGUS QUEEN
Maddi Butler shares knowledge about industryBy Lindsay Owens
24 NORTH DAVIESS FFA AWARD PROGRAM
FFA announces new officers during annual banquetSubmitted by
Gary Stuckey
26 CALENDARSouthwest Purdue Field Day, performances at the Boot
City Opry
27 MY RURAL ROOTSSpring babies: Train earlyBy Angie J.
Mayfield
28 NUTS, BOLTS AND LAPTOPS
John Deere Program at Vincennes University develops qualified
techniciansBy Bill Richardson
31 THE NATURAL SIDE OF THINGS
Its the little things ...By Terri Talarek King
32 IN SEASONCorn and zucchiniBy Lindsay Owens
33 GOOD TO THE EARTH
Envirothon teaches high school students about good earth
stewardshipBy Jenna Schaffer
ON THE COVER: Jeff Blann of Blann Farms in his 1949 Chevy
pickup with a giant strawberry. The
truck and the berry advertise that
its harvest time for the sweet, red
berries once again.
| PHOTO BY MATT GRIFFITH
CONTENTSJUNE 2015 | VOL. 2, ISSUE 3
Photo by Terri Talarek King
31
33
Photo by Jenna Schaffer
p6ContentsJun15.indd 1 5/27/15 11:07 AM
-
p7GermanAmericanJun15.indd 1 5/21/15 6:49 PM
-
8 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
WBy Lindsay Owens
WHAT STARTED AS a way to expand the Washington Central
Chris-tian Churchs widely popular Backpack Food for Kids program,
which provides food for the weekend for school-aged children at
risk for going hungry, is now growing in more ways than one. Just a
few weeks ago, several children of all ages gathered just outside
the church to plant what was for nearly all the children, their
first garden.
The children are already learning what certain vegetable plants
look like as well as how to plant and maintain a garden.
Sally Christie, president of the Kids Harvest Garden, said many
hours of hard work have gone into turning the four 4x8 raised beds
into a reality.
The Kids Harvest Garden would not be possible without the vision
and support of the board and congregation of Central Christian
Church (Disci-ples of Christ), said Christie. Many hours of hard
work have gone into the construction and filling of the raised
garden beds.
Funded through a grant from the Daviess County Community
Founda-tion, a partner with the community Foundation Alliance,
Inc., Christie said the garden, which contains potatoes, tomatoes,
peppers, green beans, onions, sweet corn and more, can only be
harvested with permission from the church and the Backpack Food
program is also funded through grants and donations from the
community.
Were very grateful to the people and organizations that support
the Da-
viess County Community Foundation, she said. Their generosity
helps the Foundation fund worthwhile commu-nity projects like our
Kids Harvest Garden.
Compost and topsoil were added to the beds and on May 6, the
children began planting. Part of the first harvest should be ready
later this month.
Christie said several months ago, she surveyed children and
families involved in the Packpack Food for Kids program about what
they would like to see in the gardens. All the children involved in
the Kids Harvest Garden are participants in the Backpack Food
program.
They told us what they would like to have and what they would
use, Christie said. We didnt want to plant things they didnt
want.
While the primary goal of the gardens is to provide fresh fruits
and vegetables to the children, Christie said that isnt the sole
purpose of the gardens.
The goal of the garden is not just to provide fresh fruits and
vegetables to the children during the summer but to hopefully
inspire a love of garden-ing and instill a sense of pride and
accomplishment in growing their own food, said Christie, adding
that the available produce items will hopeful-ly help children make
healthy food choices as well.
The availability of nearly every type of produce nearly
year-round and the number of people living on farms dropping has
caused many people to not realize how that food gets to their
table.
Theres a disconnect between the food on our tables and where
that food comes from, said Christie. Par-ticipating in the Kids
Harvest Garden can help kids make that connection again.
Also purchased with the grant was a bench made of recycled
plastic from Greentree Plastics in Evansville. Chris-tie said the
bench is made from plastic lids and caps collected by members of
the congregations over the last couple of years. To make the 6 long
bench, 400 pounds of plastic caps and lids are needed. The bench
will be placed outside so parents have a place to sit while their
children tend the garden.
Kids Harvest Garden a hands-on learning experience for children
of all ages
GROWING FOOD, GROWING CHILDREN
Sally Christie shows one of the many children participating in
the Kids Harvest Garden how to plant potatoes. The garden is an
outreach of Central Christian Church in Washington. | PHOTOS BY
LINDSAY OWENS
p8-9KidsGarden.indd 1 5/21/15 9:20 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 9
Above, participants listen carefully as Sally Christie explains
the rules for the Kids Harvest Garden. Below, for many of the
children involved in the Kids Harvest Garden, this was the first
time they had planted a garden. Participating children are also
part of the Backpack Food for Kids program.
p8-9KidsGarden.indd 2 5/21/15 9:20 PM
-
10 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
FARM KIDS CORNER
Sweet Summer Time
Sweet Summer Time
! Across 5. sometimes referred to muskmelon 6. Jet Star &
Roma are varieties 9. a cousin of the watermelon plant 11. Squash
light yellow in color 12. comes in head or loose leaf types 14.
this melon is typically green inside 15. these can be black, red or
gold 18. purple pods & Top Crop are varieties 19. Peppers these
add a kick to salsa Down 1. often dark red in color and pickled 2.
sometimes used for bread 3. can be eaten on the cob 4. edible
roots, either round or long 5. used for ants on a log treats 7.
usually fried, long and slender pods 8. often paired with cucumbers
10. one of Indiana's biggest crops 13. orange, edible roots 16.
called mangoes in Indiana 17. a purple vegetable
Sweet Summer Time
! Across 5. sometimes referred to muskmelon 6. Jet Star &
Roma are varieties 9. a cousin of the watermelon plant 11. Squash
light yellow in color 12. comes in head or loose leaf types 14.
this melon is typically green inside 15. these can be black, red or
gold 18. purple pods & Top Crop are varieties 19. Peppers these
add a kick to salsa Down 1. often dark red in color and pickled 2.
sometimes used for bread 3. can be eaten on the cob 4. edible
roots, either round or long 5. used for ants on a log treats 7.
usually fried, long and slender pods 8. often paired with cucumbers
10. one of Indiana's biggest crops 13. orange, edible roots 16.
called mangoes in Indiana 17. a purple vegetable
p10KidsCornerJun15.indd 1 5/20/15 9:14 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 11
MBy John H. Stoll
MY MOM DIED of brain cancer on Sept. 3, 2000. She was 53 and had
been diagnosed just six weeks earlier. I was an 18 year old lad at
the time living my lifelong dream of teaching school at one of the
many Amish paro-
chial schools in my home community. As all mothers do, mine left
a signifi-cant impact on my life and the lessons learned speak
loud-er today than ever before. Today, I shall share a simple
childhood memory
as it is particularly relevant this time of year for two
reasons; moms birthday is June 26 and its the time of year that the
wild pink roses are in bloom on the farm.
Mom was a simple woman; she wore no makeup and no jewelry. She
was a full-time stay at home mom. She was a farmers wife. She
worked in the barn helping with the milking, feeding, and other
chores. She could drive a team of horses hitched to a plow. Then
she could go to the house and cook a scrumptious meal or sit down
at a quilt and make tiny intricate stitches - all with the same
pair of hands.
But at the core of all that made up who my mom was lay a heart
of gold - tender, caring, quiet, and Christ-like. What other
qualities are required?
We were among some of the worlds most fortunate children and
were totally unaware.
In the summer, around the time of her birthday on June 26, the
wild roses would bloom in the old cow lane that led to the back
pasture. Prickly, and full of briars, there was a huge bush
sit-uated right in the middle of the barbed wire fencerow. One of
my siblings, or myself, might surprise her that day with a big
bouquet picked with love for moms birthday.
About 10 years after Mom passed, I wrote the following song
inspired by the sight of a bouquet of wild pink ros-es that still
bloom in the old fencerow.
Wild Roses
(Verse 1)Down the trail of yesteryear; back to
when a childUp the old cow lane just south of the
house; the roses grew so wildAnd often times in the days of June
we
children in our playWould pick a bouquet of wild pink
roses for our moms birthday.Wed sneak em to the house and
put
em in a jar with a little bit of honey-suckle too
Nothing is sweeter than a wild pink rose shining in the morning
dew
Now my mamas gone but the roses bloom just as sweet and fair
And mama did you get your birthday roses in your home up
there?
(chorus)Wild roses, wild rosesToday I placed a spray of roses on
my
mamas grave
(verse 2)Itll be ten years since my mama died
and left us struggling hereWe think of her most every day
and
often shed a tearBut memories live on today in our
minds and heartsTo comfort us until someday we never
more shall part.I can still see that lopsided grin that
we all came to loveI know there is no other like it in that
home aboveOh, how Id love to take a walk up that
ole cow laneAnd pick a bouquet of wild pink roses
for my moms birthday.
While not employed on the family farm, John does enjoy helping
out his brothers there during planting and harvest seasons. He is
very apprecia-tive of his heritage and is thankful he was given the
opportunity to be raised a farm boy.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Wild pink roses
PHOTOS BY JOHN STOLL
p11JohnStollJun15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:21 PM
-
12 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
The Knox County Cooperative Weed Management Area booth at the
2014 Knox County Fair. | PHOTOS BY TERRI TALAREK KING
ABy Terri Talarek King
A NEW ORGANIZATION, the Knox County Cooperative Weed Man-agement
Area, is helping woodland owners, farmers and others recognize and
control invasive plants. Current members represent a wide spectrum
of concerned citizens: landowners, local officials, agency
employees, farmers, and local volunteers.
KCCWMA is an arm of Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives
Man-agement (SICIM), a volunteer organiza-tion covering 35
counties. Troy Hinkle and Ray Chattin, of the Knox County Soil and
Water Conservation District (KCSWCD) have been members of SICIM
since 2008.
It became clear that the only way to effectively address the
problem was on the local level, said Chattin. Hinkle describes the
formation of KCCWMA as a response to the recognition of a problem
when a group of aware local individuals work together as a way to
address it.
When alien plant species are introduced to a new area, a lack
of
natural controls can allow them to multiply rapidly, grow
aggressively, and out-compete native species. They can change an
ecosystem, affecting all wildlife. Invasive plants become hazards
and expenses.
Almost all invasive plant species were introduced by people as
orna-mental plants. The problem centered in urban areas, then
radiated out
which makes everyone responsible, said Chattin. Gardeners and
landscap-ers should be especially aware some invasive plants, such
as burning bush, vinca, and English ivy, among others, are still
sold by nurseries.
Many are aware of invasive animal species, such as Asian carp.
One little insect has destroyed 7 percent of the forest inventory
in Indiana. Thats mil-lions of dollars of economic damage, plus the
environmental consequenc-es, said Chattin, who was discussing the
emerald ash bore.
Invasive plant species have the same impact. One way the KCCWMA
informs and educates is by visiting concerned landowners. A
landowner might say, Ive been noticing this plant taking over. We
have a conversation, and the landowner understands what it is, said
Hinkle. Using familiar invasive plants, Chattin illustrates that a
landowners failure to control becomes a problem for others. Imagine
farming 100 acres and every side is infested with Johnson grass and
Canada thistle, and the adjoining landowners dont care, he
said.
THE NATURAL SIDE OF THINGS
MANAGING INVASIVE PLANTS Knox County Cooperative Weed Management
Area
INFORMATION ABOUT INVASIVE PLANTS IN INDIANA
Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS):
www.inpaws.org
Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN): www.mipn.org
Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM):
www.sicim.org
Report invasive plants:
www.entm.purdue.edu/iisc/reportfinds.php
Overabundance
p12-13NoxiousWeeds.indd 1 5/21/15 6:51 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 13
One control method, the Weed Wrench, helps to remove shrubs and
small trees, as well as their root systems. It can be borrowed from
the KCSWCD office.
Chattin said a realistic goal is to stop new invasive plants
before they gain a strong foothold in Knox County. These include
purple loosestrife, phrag-mites (common cane), Japanese knot-weed
and callery pear, among others.
KCCWMA started teaching others to recognize and control invasive
spe-cies in 2014. A public call-out meeting featured Kathy Paradise
of the Brown County Native Woodland Project and the Brown County
Soil and Water Con-servation District, who discussed how her
heavily wooded county has been addressing invasive plant problems.
A walk in Ouabache Trails Park helped participants identify
invasive plants. Ron Rathfon, Purdue Extension Forest-er for
Southwest Indiana, presented information and hands-on training in
invasive species control. Group volun-teers educated Knox County
Fair-goers with an invasive species booth. Mem-bers worked to
control winter creeper (Euonymus fortuneii) at Ouabache Trails
Park, and worked with the Knox
County Highway Department, which sprays roadsides. Members also
attend various workshops and seminars.
An Invasive Species Seminar will be offered for the public in
August 2015 (time and place to be announced) with speaker Ellen
Jacquart, chairman of the Invasive Plant Advisory Com-mittee.
Information and a brief ques-tionnaire will be sent to area
woodland owners, but all interested persons are welcome to attend
this free event.
Invasive plants are a problem belonging to everyone, and which
all can help control. Its more than just a problem. Its a threat to
ecosystems, habitats, forest production and wet-lands and that
threat is growing exponentially, said Chattin. At some point in
time weve got to clean up this mess, because we made it.
For information about the Knox County Cooperative Weed
Manage-ment Area, the Invasive Species Seminar, and invasive
plants, or to borrow a Weed Wrench, contact the Knox County Soil
and Water Conser-vation District office at 604 Quail Run Road,
Vincennes, Indiana or by phone at 812-882-8210.
One weed control method, the Weed Wrench, helps to remove shrubs
and small trees, as well as their root systems. It can be borrowed
from the KCSWCD office.
p12-13NoxiousWeeds.indd 2 5/21/15 6:51 PM
-
14 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
FBy Rama Sobhani
FOLLOWING EACH OTHER is part of the popular lore that follows
the animals from which we get wool, meat and, perhaps, sleep.
However, for the better part of six decades, the Decker family has
been following their sheep, raising them for show and for food, all
the while keeping ravenous coyotes away and talking to the pub-lic
about how the fluffy animals can enrich their lives.
Steven and Darlene Decker start-ed their flock in the early
1980s, after getting the idea from a family member who had raised
sheep. The Deckers children, Rex and Ann, grew up around what
always remained a small flock that was raised for wool, meat
and
showing at livestock events around the country. Its always been
just a hobby for them and what was a family affair from the start
has remained that way through decades of caring for and trav-eling
with the sheep.
We went to livestock shows all around the country, Darlene said.
Weve met different people, traveled, trying to get people to
understand that lamb is a good meat.
The Deckers have shown their sheep at the Indiana State Fair for
33 years, at the North American Interna-tional Livestock Exhibition
and last year, Steves and Darlenes grand-daughter, McKayla Hitt,
showed some of the family flock at the All American Junior Sheep
show in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Getting positive reaction to the idea of eating lamb has been
one of the things that Darlene, in particu-lar, has had a hard time
trying to get people to embrace. Ever since her family has been
raising sheep, Darlene has made rounds to advocate for lamb being
used as meat, making appear-
ances at local schools and agricultural events around the area,
like Ag Day at Vincennes University. There, she said, she found it
was difficult to get area residents to embrace the lamb as meat
notion, something that may go back to a lingering perception of it
as a low-quality meat.
Soldiers in World War II had bad experiences with what they were
calling lamb, but it was really mutton, which is an older sheep
used for meat, Darlene said.
Real lamb, the meat from a young sheep, doesnt have the poor
flavor that mutton often does and thats what she tries to get those
wondering to understand.
Rex, who has mostly taken over the duties of caring for the
small flock, said its not just the difference between lamb and
mutton, but the way the meat is prepared and how the animal was
raised as well.
What the sheep are eating also affects the flavor, Rex said. The
grain fed tastes different from the grass fed.
Of course, sheep are also famous for wool and thats another
thing that the Deckers dabble in, but because its so physically
demanding, they out-source it to a specialist.
You have to get out and (shear the sheep) at least once per
year, Darlene Decker said. Its a back-breaking job.
Decker family enjoys showing sheep while educating public
SHOWING, RAISING, ADVOCATING
Steven and Darlene Decker, left, started raising sheep in the
early 1980s. Ever since then, sheep have remained an enjoyable
hobby for the family, which now includes four grandchildren. Rex
Decker, right, feeds some of the sheep as family dog Diesel, a
Great Pyrenees who looks after the livestock, wants some attention
as well. | PHOTOS BY MATT GRIFFITH
p14-15DeckerSheep.indd 1 5/21/15 10:06 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 15
Steves brother had a guy who did it. He had a trailer and he
traveled around shearing sheep. Its hard to find people who will do
it.
While Steven and Darlene are not quite as involved as in the
past, their daughter, Ann, hopes to expand the flock from the
roughly 15 sheep the
family tends to now. Rex said he would like to sell more of the
meat, but the flock will have to grow before that happens.
The future of the Decker family sheep, however, lies with Steve
and Darlenes grandchildren.
Anns children, Makayla and
Corban, and Rexs children, Chloe and Adron, have already started
working with the family sheep for 4-H shows. Makayla has even
started practicing with the 4-H livestock judging team.
Im glad theyre keeping the fam-ily tradition going, and they
enjoy it, Darlene said.
Above, a curious sheep at the Decker farm. Chloe Decker, right,
bottle feeds one of the sheep the Decker family raises.
p14-15DeckerSheep.indd 2 5/21/15 10:06 PM
-
16 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
MBy Damian Mason
MARK SCHATZKER, FOOD jour-nalist and author, spoke in my
home-town recently. I missed his presenta-tion because I too, was
on the road speaking about food and agriculture.
Ive since communicated with Mr. Schatzker, read his articles,
and even got on the mailing list for his latest book, The Dorito
Effect, released May 5.
His premise on the current state of food: Weve dramatically
increased food production but sacrificed taste in the process. The
result is a flavor-hun-gry society, gorging itself into obesity on
artificially-flavored, otherwise bland food.
Im a farm boy. I support agricul-tural advancement. Furthermore,
Im all for letting people eat whatever they want. But Mr. Schatzker
is right. We do have an obesity epidemic in this country. Hes also
right in his assertion that North American agriculture has
prioritized production and cheap food over the past century.
First, lets talk about the huge problem of advancing human
huge-ness. Thirty-five percent of American adults are obese,
another one third are closer to obese than fit.
The quest for satiating our taste buds might be a factor in
obesity. Id also point out these reasons:
AcceptancePolitical correctness dictates its
impolite to point out Americas weight problem. Meanwhile,
self-esteem pushers from Oprah Winfrey on down, have told Americans
they should feel good about themselves, despite how winded or
uncomfortable they actu-ally feel when they cant navigate a
staircase.
EconomicsFood is cheap. For 50 million wel-
fare recipients, food is free. Most mod-ern jobs dont require
physical labor and obesity is not a fire-able offense. If you are
too fat to work, well gladly put you on disability. So what
economic incentive does an individual have to stay thin?
Portion size and exercise
Daily caloric consumption has increased by more than 500
calories in just 4 decades. What used to be a large is now a
medium, what was once a plate for two is a single serving. At the
same time, physical activity is at an all-time low.
Now then, about production. Through innovation, agricultural
pro-duction has outpaced world popula-tion growth. No small feat
given the dire predictions of mass starvation weve heard from
prognosticators throughout history.
Agricultures obsession with vol-ume has been steadily reinforced
for a century.
Starting with the Industrial Rev-olution, people left farms for
factory jobs. Those who remained picked up the slack by making more
food. The depression brought hunger, the Dust Bowl wrought
devastation. The re-sponse: Hey ag, please produce more food.
Winning World War II required rationing, along with a strong
message to ag that victory depended on our ability to outproduce
the enemy.
Winning the Cold War required
technological advancement in our nu-clear weapon silos, as well
as our grain silos. Ag responded with efficiency and production.
Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev reportedly marveled at the
productive capacity of Iowa. The Russians could launch Sputnik but
they couldnt feed their people the way we could.
Enter the 1970s: Legendary Sec-retary of Agriculture Earl Butz
tells American farmers to plant from fence row to fence row.
Then came the 80s. Agriculture melted down, a victim of its own
sur-plus output. I had a front-row seat from my Indiana dairy farm.
We watched our neighbors farms (and their lifes work) sell at
auction. And how could we keep our own farm from foreclo-sure?
Control expenses and increase production, of course.
Times change. Consumer prefer-ences change. The customer of
tomor-row will demand more natural flavor. I dont blame them. I
like tomatoes but they taste better out of my garden than from the
store. Same goes for the beef I raise myself. Americas groceries
are amazing, but its true weve focused more on quantity,
conformity, and ship-ability than flavor.
Mr. Schatzker represents a rapidly expanding and profitable
segment of our customer base: foodies. Foodies arent
anti-agriculture radicals hell bent on putting us out of business.
Theyre well-heeled eaters seeking a delicious strawberry rather
than synthetic, strawberry -flavored yogurt. Theyll pay a premium
for a tastier chicken.
Need proof the foodie trend is real? Witness the success of
Whole Foods or the specialty section at your local gro-cer. Even
Walmart is pushing upscale food.
Cheap food in large quantity was the goal of a developing
nation; fla-vorful food is the goal of a developed nation.
Agriculture, theres business opportunity in front of us. This
time its about taste buds, not bushels. Lets keep the flavor
discussion moving for-ward, and lets keep it in good taste.
Damian Mason is a farm owner, ag-vo-cate, and in demand
agricultural speaker. Find him at www.damianmason.com
A flavorful discussion on agriculture and obesity
THE FUNNIER SIDE OF FARMING
p16FunnierFarmingJun15.indd 1 5/2/15 12:29 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 17
JBy Dan Ravellette
JEFF BLANN WASNT even born when the Beatles hit the music scene
with the song Strawberry Fields For-ever in 1967, but since the
year 2000, his Strawberry Fields have topped the charts with
hundreds of loyal, repeat customers every year at Blann Berries.
Hes extremely proud of what
has been accomplished in the past 14 years on Blann Farms just
outside of the northern Knox County town of Oaktown.
It all began when Jeff, now pres-ident of Blann Farms, Inc.,
thought he would like to produce a crop that was not grown much in
this area. He decided on strawberries and started
out with a five-acre field behind the shop. Today, 25 acres of
beautiful, san-dy Knox County farmland are covered with bright,
red, juicy, sweet straw-berries every year from mid-May until
mid-June.
One of the most unique features of Blann Berries is that the
berries are picked fresh every day and are ready to be purchased at
the market near the office managed by Lori Edwards. You can also
give the entire family a chance to go to the farm and enjoy some
quality time together while picking your own strawberries. No
matter how many strawberries you or your children may eat while
picking in the fields, youll only be charged for the weight of the
strawberries in your boxes.
While there, patrons can have pictures taken with a giant
strawberry on an old, antique truck, stick a face in the hole of an
oversized plywood strawberry and smile for the camera, or have a
contest to see who picks the most strawberries while eating the
least. Just a few hours at Blann Berries could add up to a lifetime
of precious family memories.
These are not just your run of the mill, everyday, ordinary
fields either. To keep the strawberries clean, healthy and easy to
pick, Blann said his berries are grown on raised beds about six
inches above the ground.
This years crop of plump straw-berries will actually be
harvested from plants transplanted in the spring of 2014. Speaking
of ordinary crops, Blann Farms, Inc., also offers a tremen-dous
selection of sweet corn, water-melon and cucumbers.
Service, pride and quality are the three key promises on which
the Blann Berries reputation has been built.
We enjoy our customers. Its a family-owned business and its a
plea-sure for us to see the same friendly fac-es coming back year
after year, Blann said. Weve tried to build this business around
quality.
There are some differences be-tween the berries you find on the
shelves of local supermarkets and those available at Blann
Farms.
Our Indiana berries that we grow here are a lot different than
what youll find in large grocery stores, said Blann, adding that
California berries are bred and produced for shipping and a longer
shelf life.
Blann berries are planted with the local peoples pleasure in
mind and Jeff is more than happy to 444
Blann family enjoys serving customers who return each year for
red, juicy crop
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOR
YEARS
Jeff Blann of Blann Farms began growing strawberries in a 5-acre
field behind his shop in 2000. Today the farms strawberry crop
spreads across 25 acres and draws customers ready to purchase or
pick the berries from mid-May to mid-June. | PHOTO BY MATT
GRIFFITH
p17-19BlannBerries.indd 1 5/22/15 9:59 PM
-
18 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
trade the shelf life of a foreign-grown strawberry for what he
describes as a juicy, red berry with lots of sugar and
lots of flavor grown right here in his own backyard.
Blann said that many strawberries
are sold wholesale and can be found in local grocery stores and
farmers markets but the bulk of the spring-time treats are sold
right on the farm. Convenient eight-quart flats; individual quart
boxes or 10-pound boxes with wire handles are provided as part of
the overall Blann service promise. He emphasized that its vitally
important that customers take their berries home in a nice package
with the Blann name stamped on it.
With the advent of social media, its easy to learn more about
Blann Berries by logging on to www.blann-berries.com. Even though
its located outside of Oaktown, the signs and ban-ners along the
way will direct you to Blann Berries and all the delicious and
nutritious strawberries you can eat. Blann Berries is open from 9
a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on
Saturday, and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Whether you pick the berries right out of the field, or choose
the ones that are ready and waiting for you, youll see why Blann
Berries is known by their slogan A family of caretakers who cuts no
corners.
Young strawberry plants rest in the field with the grain silos
as a backdrop on the Blann farm. | PHOTO BY MATT GRIFFITH
6659 E. Gasthof Village Rd., Montgomery, IN1/2 Mile N. US Hwy.
50 www.gasthofamishvillage.com 812-486-4900
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKMon.-Thurs. 11 AM-8 PM
Fri. & Sat. 11 AM-9 PM; Sun.11 AM-3 PM
ENJOY OUR HOMEMADE AMISH BUFFET
We still peel our potatoes.
RESTAURANTAND BAKERY
GROUPS WELCOMECall ahead for parties of 10 or more.
Meeting & Banquet Facilities Catering
Every Wednesday 4-8 PMAdult Dinner Buffet
$899(drink not included)
SENIOR NIGHT Ages 55+
On-Site HotelGroup Rates,
Discounted Meals, Free Wi-Fi & Audio Visual Equipment
Let us host your... Anniversary Party, Class Reunion, Family
Reunion, Birthday Party, Business Meeting, Wedding Reception,
Religious Retreat
BANQUET ROOMS
4 Private Meeting RoomsAccommodate up to 300 people
2 Banquet BuildingsAllow 24 hour access
GASTHOF FLEA
MARKETOpen every Tues., Wed,
& Sat. 9 AM-3 PM Now thru Nov. 1st
$200OFFLimit 4 adults per coupon. Not valid with other coupons,
discounts or promotions. NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS. Expires 7/31/15.
Growing mag.
ADULT DINNER BUFFET
Monday-Saturday 4-8 PM Only
Gift Shops: The Blue Door and The Pig & Fiddle will be open
too
GASTHOF SUMMER FESTIVALSAT., JUNE 13 10 am-4 pm Variety of Craft
Vendors Flea Markets Kettle Korn Gospel Entertainment in our Gazebo
(bring your lawn chairs)
Barrel Train Inflatable Fun Amish Made Fried Pies
JULY 4THGasthof Restaurant Open 11 am-9 pm
LABOR DAY SEPT. 7THGasthof Restaurant Open 11 am-8 pm
SAT. SEPT 19THGasthof Quilt Auction & Fall Festival
p17-19BlannBerries.indd 2 5/22/15 9:59 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 19
Not only are strawberries delicious, theyre healthy, too. They
protect your heart; increase HDL (good) cholesterol; lower blood
pressure and guard against cancer. Strawberries are packed with
vitamins, fiber and have particularly high levels of antioxidants
known as polyphenols. They are sodium- free, fat-free,
cholesterol-free and low in calories. Strawberries are among the
top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity and are a good source of
manganese and potassium. Just one serving, about eight
strawberries, provides more vitamin C than an orange.
Source: WebMD
Strawberries in the field, top left, are ready for picking.
Blann also sells strawberries wholesale, top right, to local
grocery stores and farmers markets. | PHOTOS PROVIDED
A 1949 Chevy pickup complete with a giant strawberry promotes
some of the Blann Farm products. | PHOTO BY MATT GRIFFITH
p17-19BlannBerries.indd 3 5/22/15 9:59 PM
-
20 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
COUNTY FAIR INFORMATION
2015 KNOX COUNTY 4-H SHOW SCHEDULE(All times Eastern)
July 118-11 a.m. 4-H Non-perishable General Projects judged.
Non-perishable Mini 4-H exhibits accepted.
July 121 p.m. 4-H Tractor Driving Contest at Fairgrounds
July 188-11 a.m. 4-H Cake Decorating, Corn, Create-a-Mix,
Flowers, Foods, Food Preservation, Garden, Microwave Cooking,
Potatoes, Soybeans, Toma-toes, Watermelon, Wheat, and ALL Sewing
exhibits entered; also Mini 4-H exhibits.
Open Class (non-perishable) entries accepted.
8-10:30 p.m. Knox County Rodeo pre-sented by Wotten Rodeo
Production. NEW this Year!
Grandstand Admission prices: TBA
July 19Livestock may arrive after 4 p.m. and must be in place by
10 p.m. (ex-cept horses). Livestock superinten-dents will determine
weigh-in times.
July 20 711 a.m. Open Class Department exhibits accepted.
8 a.m. 4-H Poultry Show Small Animal Barn
9 a.m. 4-H Rabbit Show Livestock Arena
Noon-3 p.m. Open Class judging
4 p.m. 4-H Hose & Pony Fun Class
7 p.m. 2015 Knox County Fair Queen Contest at the VU
Pavilion
8 p.m. TRACTOR PULL - (ORVTPA)l in Grandstand
July 21 7:30 a.m. 4-H Swine Show Live-stock Arena
8:30 a.m. 4-H Dog Show, Obedience & Showmanship - Old 4-H
Building
3:00 p.m. 4-H Cat Show - Old 4-H Building
5:30 p.m. 4-H Goat Show - Livestock Arena
7 p.m. Tiny Tot Contest at the VU Pavilion. ($5.00 entry fee
must be to the Fair Office by FRIDAY, July 19 at 5 p.m. NO LATE
ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.) Check in from 6-6:45 p.m.
8 p.m. TRUCK PULL In Grandstand
8 p.m. Free Entertainment at the VU Pavilion
July 22 8 a.m. 4-H Beef Show Livestock Arena
5:30 p.m. 4-H Sheep Show - Livestock Arena
6 p.m. Childrens Pedal Tractor Pull ($5 entry fee per child.
Children must be between 4 & 10 years old. All en-tries due to
the Fair office by 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE
ACCEPTED.)
8 p.m. Free Entertainment in the VU pavilion
8 p.m. MUD DRAG RACING In Grandstand
9 p.m. Mud Hog Wrestling entries close. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE
ACCEPTED.
July 23 8 a.m. 4-H Dairy Show in the Live-stock Arena
9 a.m. 4-H Horse & Pony judging: Halter Class in Horse
Arena
3 p.m. Premiums may be secured for exhibits in the 4-H
Building.
3 p.m. Ag Olympics Live Stock Arena
7 p.m. Round Robin Showmanship Livestock Arena
8 p.m. FREE Entertainment VU Pavilion
8 p.m. MUD HOG WRESTLING In Grandstand ($30 per team entry fee
must be to Fair Office by Wednes-day, July 22 at 9 p.m. NO LATE
ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.)
July 24 8 a.m. 4-H Horse & Pony judging: Performance Classes
in Horse Arena
5:30 p.m. 4-H Livestock Auction Livestock Arena
5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. FREE Entertain-ment in VU Pavilion
8 p.m. MOTOCROSS RACING in Grandstand
9 p.m. 4-H and Open Class exhibit building close.
9:30-10:30 p.m. 4-H and Open Class exhibits released NO
EARLIER
July 25 8 p.m. FREE Entertainment in VU Pavilion
8 p.m. DEMOLITION Derby in Grandstand ALL seats $8
2015 DAVIESS COUNTY 4-H SHOW SCHEDULE(All times Eastern)
July 14Consumer Clothing Notebooks due in Extension Office by 4
p.m.
July 156 p.m. Dog Agility 4-H Grounds
Consumer Clothing & Sewing (Construction plus Fashion Sewing
Revue judging). Barr Reeve High School - Refer to Consumer Clothing
& Sewing letter for judging times.
(NO judging for the Sewing project on July 18th).
7 p.m. Public Fashion Revue and Awards presentation for Sewing
& Consumer Clothing projects, (Public Speaking &
Demonstrations activity) Barr Reeve High School.
July 17
4-7 p.m. - Project Check-in non-per-ishables (Grades 3-12
Only)
4-7 p.m. Photography Check-in & 4-H Community judging -
CHANGE
July 188:30 a.m. - Horse & Pony Show, 4-H Arena (Mini Horse
& Pony classes)
9 a.m. - Noon Mini Projects Check-in & meet with Judges
9 a.m. Project judging Exhibit building closed
July 195 - 8 p.m. Livestock check-in BEEF, DAIRY, SHEEP, GOAT,
SWINE, RABBITS, & POULTRY MUST BE ENTERED ON SUNDAY EVENING.
(Includes mini livestock projects)
7-9 p.m. 4-H Exhibit Building open to public
July 207-10 a.m. Beef & Dairy (if possible please check in
Sunday) all other species must be entered on Sunday.
8 a.m.-noon Regular 4-H check in perishable projects (see list
in newsletter)
9 a.m.-noon 4-H community judging for Flowers, Foods, Cake
Decorating, Garden
12:30 p.m. - Judging of 4-H projects, 4-H exhibit buildings
closed.
12:30 p.m. 4-H livestock exhibitors & parents meeting, 4-H
arena - 4-H steers will be weighed immediately following the
meeting.
1 p.m. Feeder calves and Beef weigh in.
2 p.m. Poultry judging, 4-Her or a representative must be
present at the judging.
6:30 p.m. Sheep auction photos
7 p.m. Sheep Mini 4-H Sheep Class followed by 4-H Sheep Show
7 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 4-H Building open to public.
July 218:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 4-H Exhibit Build-ings open to
public
10 a.m. Action Demonstrations, 4-H Building
11 a.m. Cat, Mini 4-H Cat Class fol-lowed by 4-H Cat Show,
Decorated Cat cages classes (exhibit building)
5:30 p.m. Swine Sale photos
6 p.m. Swine Mini 4-H Swine Class followed by 4-H Swine Show
9:30 p.m. Exhibit Building closes
July 228:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 4-H Building open to public
9 a.m. Rabbit - Mini 4-H Rabbit Class followed by 4-H Rabbit
Show In Arena.
1 p.m. Dairy - Mini 4-H Dairy Class followed by 4-H Dairy
Show
7 p.m. Beef Mini 4-H Beef Class, Feeder Calves followed by 4-H
Beef Show followed by County Bred and Owned classes
9:30 p.m. Exhibit Building closes
July 237:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - All 4-H (non-live-stock) exhibits
released
5:15 p.m. Goat (Wether) Auction photos
5:45 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
6:00 p.m. Goat - Mini 4-H Goat Class followed by 4-H Goat
Show
Livestock not consigned to 4-H auction released after Goat show
is completed.
July 249 a.m. Dog Mini 4-H Dog obedi-ence and showmanship
followed by 4-H Dog Show -
4-H exhibit building
1 p.m. - Round Robin Showmanship Contest, livestock arena
6:45 p.m. 10 year member presenta-tions in livestock arena
7 p.m. - Livestock auction (clean-up & pizza party to follow
auction at approximately 10 p.m.)
July 258:30-11 a.m. Clean-up
p20FairSchedules15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:18 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 21
DBy Lindsay Owens
DIESEL ENTHUSIASTS, PRE-PARE to get your engines running on June
5 and 6 when the inaugural Wagler Diesel Competition makes its way
to the Daviess County Fairgrounds in Elnora.
The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, which has a large following,
will offer truck pulls, garden tractor pulls, Show-N-Shine and Dyno
contests and more.
Event organizer Jeremy Wagler said the diesel competition is
something he has wanted to see in the area for quite a while
now.
The nearest show thats similar to this is Scheid in Terre Haute,
said Wagler. Its really a big deal to be able to get something like
this to come to our area. A lot of the people that will be there
travel the circuit all summer and this will be one of the first
events of the year.
While the garden tractor pulls are only open to competitors on
the Lucas Oil tour, the truck pull, Show-N-Shine and Dyno contests
are all open to those brave enough to put his or her diesel to the
test. Registration and entry fee is required and the winners
receive a cash payout.
Powered by CountryMark Premium Dieselex-4 and delivered by White
River Co-op, the truck pulling events will feature multiple classes
including super stock diesel trucks, 3.0 diesel trucks and 2.6
diesel trucks.
This is going to be a really nice two-day event for diesel
enthusiasts from around the Midwest, said Coun-tryMark Business
Development Manag-er Joe Rollins, in a press release on the
competition. We are thrilled to be the official fuel for this event
and to be able to demonstrate the power and perfor-mance of our
Premium Dieselex-4 in this environment.
Vendors, live entertainment, demonstrations, concessions, and
radio controlled truck pulling events will also
take place. The event opens at 9 a.m. both
days with the Lucas Oil Pulling League Points Series taking the
track at noon. The Shine-N-Show and Dyno contests will run from 9
a.m. until 8 p.m. each day. Vendor row closes at 5 p.m. daily and
the Live Country Band will take the stage from 9 to 11 each night.
The gar-den tractor pull will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11
a.m.
We are really going to have something for everyone to enjoy,
said Wagler.
Admission is $25 per person per day or $40 per person for
weekend passes. Children age 10 and under are $10 per day. For more
information, visit
www.facebook.com/WaglerCompetitionProducts/timeline or call
812-636-0391.
DIESEL COMPETITION REVVING UPWagler Diesel Competition inaugural
event in Elnora
p21DieselEvent.indd 1 5/21/15 9:25 PM
-
22 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
SBy J. Scott Monroe, Jennifer Stefancik and Karel Kirschner
SUMMER HAS ONCE again returned to the area. With the weather
continuing to warm up, gardens will soon be bursting forth with
natures bounty. As we all enjoy fresh produce from the garden and
work to preserve food for the winter that we know will return, it
is important to manage produce in such a way that we dont create
opportunities for the introduc-tion of foodborne pathogens.
Following a few simple steps can reduce the risk of microbial
contamination.
In the garden, care should be taken to minimize the presence of
both wild and domestic animals. Dogs, deer, and other wildlife can
introduce foodborne pathogens. It is also a good idea for everyone
to wash their hands before picking or otherwise handling produce.
Placing harvested produce into clean containers (ideally cleaned
before each harvest) can also reduce contamination risk. Gardeners
should have one or two containers that they keep clean and use
exclusively for holding harvested produce. Irrigating from a clean
water source (such as a municipal system or well) is a good
way to reduce the
risk of contamination.Whether items are from the garden
or the local produce stands or farm-ers markets, fresh produce
should be preserved as quickly as possible. The time to start
thinking about preserv-ing produce is prior to harvest. Start by
checking your equipment and supplies. Proper equipment in good
condition is required for safe, high quality home canned food. A
pressure canner is essential for canning low-ac-id vegetables (pH
less than 4.6), meats, fish, and poultry. Two basic types are
available. One has a dial gauge to in-dicate the pressure inside
the canner; the other has a metal weighted gauge. Dial gauges must
be tested for accura-cy before each canning season. For
in-formation on testing a dial gauge, call your county Extension
Office. Check the rubber gasket if your canner has one; it should
be flexible and soft, not brittle, sticky or cracked. Also make
sure any small pipes or vent ports with openings are clean and open
all the way through.
A boiling water canner is needed for canning other foods such as
fruits, pickles, jellies and jams. The canner should be deep enough
to allow at least one to two inches of water to boil over the tops
of the jars. Both types of canners should have a rack in the
bottom to keep jars off the bottom of the canner. Inventory your
jars and
decide if you need to buy new jars this year. Inspect
those you have for nicks, cracks or chips, especially around the
top sealing edge. Nicks can prevent lids from sealing. Very old
jars can weaken with age and re-peated use, causing them to break
under
pressure and heat. Consider investing in new jars if you need
to, and watch
for specials at the stores. New jars are
a better investment over time than buying used jars at yard
sales or flea markets. Mason-type jars specifically designed for
home canning are best. Jars that use two-piece self-sealing metal
lids are the recommended con-tainer in USDA guidelines. A must
every canning season is new flat lids. Used lids should be thrown
away. The screw bands are re-usable if they are not bent, dented or
rusted.
A final must is reliable, up-to-date canning instructions.
Publications and information are available at your coun-ty
Extension Office, or the National Center for Home Food
Preservation website (http://nchfp.uga.edu/). The most recently
revised edition of the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning is dated
2009; all recommendations in this book are current. To order, visit
the Purdue University Education Store
(https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/). The University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension Service also sells So Easy to Preserve, a
comprehensive book with information on all types of home food
preservation. The order form for the book can be printed from
(www.soeasytopreserve.com). Directions for payment and mailing or
faxing orders are on that order form.
Be sure to look at the instructions for what you want to
preserve well before you are ready to prepare the food. You may
need time to purchase some ingredients and small pieces of
equipment that are necessary to pre-pare the food exactly as the
directions indicate. For example, there are a few products listed
in the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning (starches) that are only
available through mail order for most locations. Planning ahead can
save you time, money, and frustration with home canning. Make it a
happy, successful canning season by getting prepared.
This summer, Purdue Extension will be offering Hands-On
workshops for making salsa (July 30), and veg-etables (Aug 20).
Contact Jennifer Stefancik at [email protected] or 812-254-8668
or Karel Kirschner at [email protected] or 812-882-3509 for more
information. Cost is $10 per class and class size is limited.
Get ready to bring in the harvest!
AG EDUCATION
p22MonroeJun15.indd 1 5/20/15 9:41 AM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 23
IBy Lindsay Owens
IF YOU ASK Knox County native Maddi Butler to tell you about the
Angus cattle industry, be prepared. As the reigning Miss American
Angus, its her job to promote the industry; but when Butler talks
about her beloved
Angus, the passion for what she does is evident and she can
provide you with more information than those unfa-miliar with the
industry may have ever imagined.
Its a really neat honor and the Angus is a really neat breed,
said Butler, who is studying animal science at Hutchinson (Kansas)
Community College. Throughout the year I get to travel to all the
Angus shows and pro-mote the industry at shows, schools, grocery
stores and anywhere else that will have me.
Butler said her uncle encouraged
her to start showing the cattle when she was just 10 years old.
She showed in 4-H and Indiana Angus Association shows but always
heard about the big-ger shows and national competitions.
I would hear people talking about Junior Nationals, which is a
weeklong event filled with contests and competi-tions, said Butler,
who always wanted to attend the big shows. When Junior Nationals
were in Louisville in 2012, it was close enough I was able to go. I
think I signed up for about every contest there was. I was hooked
on showing.
Butler said while the number of shows one can compete in each
year is not limited, the Angus can only be shown until they are
about 2 years old.
Those taking part in the national competition were announced at
the National Junior Show in July and were the five highest placing
scholarship winners.
Preparations for Miss American Angus, held each fall, required
Butler to know specifications for certified Angus and other
information pertinent to the industry. The National Junior Angus
Association does a really great job when it comes to educating
youth among other things. That really helped me prepare for the
national competition.
During the national competition, Butler said she and the other
four finalists had to give a speech, answer impromptu questions and
a 20-minute interview in addition to the test on industry
knowledge.
I didnt think Id make the top five, said Butler. When I went to
Kansas City, I was really happy to just be there for the
experience. I just thought it would be a great opportuni-ty to bond
with others who share my passion.
Until November when the next Miss American Angus is crowned,
But-ler will continue to promote the indus-try and appear at some
of the shows she always dreamed about attending when she was
little.
Most of the events are in June and July so theres a lot of
traveling but I am so excited to share my love of the Angus
industry with everyone. Its been such a rewarding experience so
far, said Butler.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC ANGUS QUEEN
Maddi Butler shares knowledge about Angus industry
Miss American Angus Queen Maddi Butler started showing cattle
when she was 10 years old. | PHOTO BY KELLY OVERTON
p23AngusQueen.indd 1 5/21/15 12:31 PM
-
24 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
NSubmitted by Gary Stuckey
NORTH DAVIESS FFA celebrated its annual awards banquet
recently. More than 140 members and
guests attended.
The officers presented the awards
gathered throughout the year and
a few special awards. Erin Abel
received the CPS award and the Star
Ag Placement award. Taylor Mallett
was awarded the Dekalb award,
Scholastic award and the Star Chapter
Farmer award. Rena Byers won the
Star Greenhand award.
Abigail Clifford, North Daviess
FFA chapter president, introduced
the guest speaker for the evening,
Indiana FFA State Secretary Skylar
Clingan. He spoke of his time in the
FFA and the impact it has had on his
life. Clingan also gave his advice to
the North Daviess FFA members, and
told of the joys of the FFA.
After Clingans presentation, Erin
Abel introduced Bryce Knepp to say
the official creed for the guests.
During the banquet, new officers
were officially announced. The new
officers for the 2015-16 year are: Jessa
Newby, president; Abigail Clifford,
vice president; Carrie Winklepleck,
secretary; Abby Holstine, treasurer;
Deion Archer, reporter and Brandon
Arne, sentinel.
Congratulations to all the FFA
members for a great year and their
accomplishments.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Paying by: Check or Money Order
Credit Card: Exp.
Sign me up to receive
GROWING Magazine
5 Issues per year
Complete the form below, include your check, money order or
credit card information and mail to: P.O. Box 471, Washington, IN
47501
NORTH DAVIESS FFA AWARDS PROGRAM
North Daviess FFA members pose for a photograph during the
annual awards banquet. | PHOTO PROVIDED
FFA announces new officers during annual banquet
p24NDFFA.indd 1 5/21/15 10:01 PM
-
GOLFERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COME TO CHALLENGE THE JUDGE and
the two other golf courses in Prattville at RTJ Capitol Hill. Bring
your clubs and come take on Judge hole number 1, voted the favorite
hole on the Trail. Complete your day in luxury at the Marriott and
enjoy dining, fi repits and
guest rooms overlooking the Senator golf course. With the
Marriotts 20,000 square feet of meeting space, 96 guest rooms and
luxurious Presidential
Cottage combined with three world-class golf courses, business
and pleasure can defi nitely interact in Prattville.
THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT CAPITOL HILL is home of the
Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic on the Senator Course
September 18 to 24, 2014. The Marriott Prattville is part of the
Resort Collection on Alabamas Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Visit www.rtjgolf.com or call 800.949.4444 to learn more.
for Yourself. COME JUDGE for Yourself.
RTJ746JudgePRATT_CNHIMags.indd 1 3/28/14 12:17
PMp25RTJJun15.indd 1 5/21/15 7:04 PM
-
26 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAYFarmers Market of Historic Vincennes
at the Riverfront Pavilion Open every Wednesday from 4 p.m. 7:30
p.m. and every Saturday from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Locally grown produce,
plants, crafts and more.
JUNE 5-6Wagler Competition Pull Daviess County Fairgrounds,
Elnora. Champions Tour: ARP Super Stocks Diesel FWDs TS Performance
Silver Series: Air dog 3.0 Diesel Trucks Ag Protect 1 Midwest
Region: Scheid Diesel Service Co., Inc. 2.6 Diesel Trucks.
JUNE 5 -7Merom Bluff Chautauqua Featuring vendors, food booths
and more. Contact Emily Condon at 815-674-1302 or visit
www.meronindiana.org for more information.
JUNE 6 The Marlins at the Boot City Opry 7 p.m. Tickets are $15
and can be purchased online at www.bootcityopry.com or by calling
812-299-8379.
JUNE 6Travis Burkhart Foundation Annual Ride for Recovery Open
Top Poker RunCall 812-257-4492 for more information.
JUNE 7West Boggs Park and Spark Car Show West Boggs Park. Call
812-295-3421 for more information.
JUNE 10-14Carlisle Bicentennial Celebration Featuring Silly
Safari, carnival rides, live entertainment by the group Highway
58 and comedian Brad Tassell, vendors, tractor pull and more and
more. Visit www.carlislebicentennialcelebration2015.org for more
information and a complete list of events.
JUNE 12-13Shelburn Old Fashioned DaysCall 812-607-0040 or find
them on Facebook for more information.
JUNE 13Chris Girton at the Boot City Opry 7 p.m. Tickets are $15
and can be purchased online at www.bootcityopry.com or by calling
812-299-8379.
JUNE 19-27Daviess County FairElnora
JUNE 20Mary Pfeifer: A Tribute to Patsy Cline Boot City Opry at
7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at
www.bootcityopry.com or by calling 812-299-8379.
JULY 3-4Horse Progress DaysNick Grabers Farm (9334E CR 800N,
Montgomery). Demonstrations and more. Call 812-636-7733 for more
information.
Fourth of July festivitiesSullivan Park and Lake, the George
Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes and Eastside Park in
Washington.
JULY 9Southwest Purdue Field DaySouthwest Purdue Ag Center in
Vincennes. Field Day will begin at 8:30 a.m. until lunch. Youth
activities, high tunnels, vegetable, corn, soybean, canola, grape
and biomass tree production. PARP credit available immediately
after lunch. For more information, call the Ag Center at
812-886-9661.
JULY 10 11WheatfestWheatland. Great entertainment for the whole
family. A chicken noodle dinner will be served Friday evening at
the Methodist Church from 5 p.m. 6 p.m. with bands performing at 7
p.m. Saturday will feature games, food, a car show and tractor
show. Call 812-890-4531 for more information.
JULY 11Summer Fest featuring Sammy Kershaw and David
BallMontgomery Ruritan grounds.
JULY 18Emily Portman at the Boot City OpryTickets are $15 and
can be purchased online at www.bootcityopry.com or by calling
812-299-8379.
JULY 25David Ball at the Boot City Opry Tickets are $20 and can
be purchased online at www.bootcityopry.com or by calling
812-299-8379.
AUG. 1Knox County Watermelon Festival and the Great American
Grill-OffVincennes. Featuring a color run, games, crafts, flea
market, pet contest, free watermelon, Miss Watermelon pageant and
more. Call 812-882-6440 for more information.
AUG. 1-2Washington Conservation Clun 3D Archery Bow ShootCall
812-610-2490 for more information.
CALENDAR
PHOTOS BY KELLY OVERTON
p26CalendarJun15.indd 1 5/13/15 3:42 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 27
MBy Angie J. Mayfield
MY FAVORITE PART of spring is all the new babies on the farm. I
am a fifth generation farmer and equestrian, so spring foals are a
common sight in one of our pastures. Growing up, my family raised,
trained, worked, and trail
rode various breeds of equines, but the mules quickly be-came my
favorite. A cross between a male donkey (a Jack) and a female horse
(Mare), their personality, intelligence, sure-foot-
edness, and stamina made them irre-sistible not to mention those
adorable long ears.
I wasnt expecting a mule baby this year. We tried to breed one
of our older mares, but she didnt take and I decided to wait. After
all, with 150 stu-dents, three magazine columns, a gar-den, plus a
husband, three kids, eight equines, three bottle-fed raccoons and
lambs, and numerous chickens, ducks, and pigs to care for on the
farm didnt I have enough to do?
Still, I was disappointed. Theres just nothing cuter than a baby
mule. Then, the first week in April, a friend sent me some pictures
of a sorrel molly (female mule) foal with a white star on her
forehead, and I was in love. We fig-ured out a trade that included
guineas, chickens, and two months of training for one of her
equines (yes, we are red-necks) and Dixieland Delight and her
Quarter horse momma, Moonshine, came into my life. Doug didnt even
argue when I told him I was driving to Tennessee to pick them up.
Hes seen that look in my eyes before.
I was a little worried at first. Im a huge believer in foal
imprint training. Before it had an official name, except what we
called bonding with the new baby, I had seen firsthand over the
past 45 years the difference spending time with a foal (or any
animal) imme-diately after birth can make. Handling that baby from
the beginning when it is most vulnerable and open to receiv-ing new
stimuli can produce dramatic
results and a positive human/mule relationship.. Our presence,
touch, and training leads to submission, not fear, and the foal
sees us as a dominant equine or leader and trusts us and becomes
dependent on us.
Since the mule foal was already two weeks old and not accustomed
to human contact, I worried that I wouldnt be able to produce that
trust or strong relationship as easily. My fears dissipated
considerably right away. The mother, a large Percheron/quarter
horse mix, was a big pet and not at all concerned about my
pres-ence. She allowed me to pet her, ap-preciated the alfalfa hay
I brought, and loaded right into the trailer. Although the baby
wasnt sure she wanted me to touch her, she was curious.
Once at home, the desensitization began as soon as she jumped
out of the trailer. She stayed close to her mother and took it all
in with curios-ity. After a while, curiosity took over and she
approached me. She allowed me to pet her on the neck and back and
scratch behind her ears and on her backside a bit, but she backed
away quickly any time I tried to touch her face.
The next day, I spent a couple hours with my new baby. I fed
Momma some grain and petted and brushed
her, letting baby see I was not a threat. She would prance
around and watch me, come close enough for me to touch her, and
then run off in a mad dash. I caught myself calling her Fireball
more than once, and the nickname stuck. That fiery red color,
ornery per-sonality, and sudden bursts of energy seemed
appropriate.
By the third day, Momma came running from her hay bale when she
saw me because she knew Id have grain or treats. Therefore,
Fireball ran to greet me too, though I could tell she really didnt
know what all the fuss was about. This time I drove the
four-wheel-er, and I brought the kids and the dogs. Fireball was a
little nervous at first, but after she decided the four-wheeler and
dogs were just other strange-looking creatures that were annoying
but no threat, she calmed down.
Fireball is a month old now, and each day we become a little
closer. I continue to introduce her to new noises, objects, and
stimuli. Quite the character, she has now started trying to push
Momma out of the way so she can steal her grain. After finally
gain-ing enough trust to put a halter on her, we are now working on
learning to lead and tie. Her patience needs work as does mine.
Angie J. Mayfield is an Associate Pro-fessor at Vincennes
University, author, equestrian, and organic farmer who lives near
Loogootee, Indiana. She can be con-tacted at
[email protected]
Spring babies: Start training early for a well-mannered animal
later
MY RURAL ROOTS
Fireball, a young sorrel molly, has joined Angie Mayfields
family farm and stolen their hearts.| PHOTO BY ANGIE J.
MAYFIELD
p27MyRuralRootsJun15.indd 1 5/7/15 3:14 PM
-
28 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
IBy Bill Richardson
IF YOU CAN comprehend the idea that machinery can be fixed with
a laptop rather than a wrench, then the two-year John Deere Program
offered by Vincennes University might be just what youre looking
for.
Started in the fall of 1993, the pro-gram pairs a VU student
with a John Deere dealership in order to put what he or she learns
to use. All students work at a dealership during the sum-mer
between their first and second years in the program, and some are
able to work part-time while attending VU. When they leave the
university, theyll graduate with associates in sci-ence
degrees.
Tim Hale, chairman of the program after spending 28 years
working for John Deere, said the object is to devel-
op qualified technicians.John Deere looked at this several
years ago, and there was an increasing demand for good
technicians, said Hale. The technology was growing. People were
retiring and we needed to fill that gap.
The program at VU is one of 16 at colleges throughout the United
States. Outside of Vincennes, the nearest program is located in
Mattoon, Illinois. Most are in the Midwest, as well as the southern
states, according to Hale.
The best part of the whole pro-gram is that the graduates will
have jobs waiting on them.
There are more job openings than there are technicians out
there, Hale said. So anyone who graduates can get a job with a John
Deere dealership throughout the country.
According to Hale, approximately
25 students enter the program at VU every year. A large majority
of the students survive and end up working for John Deere.
Once upon a time, most of the students enrolled in the program
had a rural background Hale said but thats not necessarily true
anymore.
Were seeing less and less come from farms because the family
farm is kind of going away, said Hale, a native of Worthington who
has been with the program for 16 years. We have some come from
farms and we have some from metropolitan areas. Every once in a
while well get a student whos never been on a farm tractor
before.
Hale is joined by instructors Larry Stremming, Levi Lumm and
Larry Bland. Lumm and Bland are graduates of the program.
Weve all got a John Deere back-ground, Hale said. We all worked
in John Deere dealerships and then came here and started teaching
what we learned.
Students like the fact that the pro-
John Deere Program at Vincennes University develops qualified
technicians
NUTS, BOLTS AND LAPTOPSVincennes University student Joseph James
of Leopold is enrolled in the John Deere Program at VU. The program
pairs VU students with John Deere dealerships to provide hands-on
education for future technicians. | PHOTOS BY BILL RICHARDSON
p28-30VUJohnDeere.indd 1 5/21/15 10:12 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 29
gram is hands on.First-year student Jeremy Lane is
a 2014 graduate of Vincennes Lincoln. Hes already working
part-time for Alliance Tractor, the Vincennes John Deere dealer,
and will serve his 10-week internship there this summer.
We gain a lot of first-hand working experience, he said. Thats
going to help when you get into the real work-ing world. Its like
were getting a head start.
First-year student Tristan Knice-ly, who graduated from Oblong
High School in Illinois in 2014, works for the Alliance Tractor
franchise in Newton, Illinois.
Weve already learned a lot, he said. When were finished here, we
should be able to make good money. I hope to get on full-time at
the store where Im working now.
According to Hale, students spend 70 to 80 percent of their time
in the lab working on equipment.
But the other 20 to 30 percent of the time, spent on laptops
diagnosing issues, is equally important.
We try to make it as real-world as we can, he said. (The
students) are constantly on the computer. Thats where we get all of
our service infor-mation. Thats another avenue, while theyre here.
They learn how to get through that computer and diagnose
problems.
Unlike the traditional college
students, those in the John Deere pro-gram often develop a bond
because they spend so much time together.
We have a limit of 25 students, so its a small group, Hale said.
We get to know each other, personally, pretty well. So yeah, we
have fun. But when its time to work, its time to work.
Students in the program take traditional college courses on the
main VU campus. The laboratory part of the program is conducted at
the Purdue Uni-versity Extension Offices, located just a few miles
north of Vincennes on U.S. 41.
Hale estimates that about one-third of the students are able to
commute from their homes, while the others live either in the VU
dorms or off campus.
A lot of our students are from the northern part of Indiana, he
said. We also get a lot of students from Ken-tucky, Tennessee and
Illinois.
First-year students take their tradi-tional classes, such as
English or math, during the morning then meet Monday through Friday
at the lab from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Its just the opposite for the sec-ond-year students, who work at
the lab during morning hours, then return to campus for
classes.
By the time they are finished, the students generally rack up 80
credit hours or more.
Hale stresses that graduates are qualified to work on all
John
John Deere Program students Jeremy Lane and Tristan Knicely are
both employed with the Alliance Tractor franchise. They say working
in the field has given them hands-on experience and believe the
experience will help them after graduation.
444
p28-30VUJohnDeere.indd 2 5/21/15 10:12 PM
-
30 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
Deere products from the tiniest weed-eater to the largest piece
of farm machinery.
What does someone want to do when he graduates? Does he want to
service small equipment or large equipment? We try to get them
experi-
ence while theyre here to work on all of those things, said
Hale.
Hale said he finds it rewarding when the students succeed.
I like seeing the achievement and advancement, he said. Some of
them come in here really knowing nothing
about repairing equipment. To see them achieve their goals and
graduate, to see them doing well, makes me feel good.
For more information about the program go to
www.vinu.edu/diesel-and-john-deere.
Stephanie Forshey, of Richmond, Virginia, lifts a piece of
equipment, left. Tim Hale, chairman of the John Deere program at
VU, looks over a piece of equipment with Levi Burgess of
Mooresville, Indiana, right.
At Midwest Ag, we are
servingag people
ag people.
We understand the importance of family and
farming traditions, and well bring safety, security,
and a personal approach to your table. At Midwest Ag,
we keep our promises. Its about being dependable and
doing what we said we were going to doprotecting
and taking care of you.
Put your trust in usyour futureand those that will fill your
shoesdepend on it.
Loan officers Mike Cecil andBrandon Decker, and crop
insurancespecialist Kallie Burke-Schuckman(812) 257-8801
|www.midwestag.com
p28-30VUJohnDeere.indd 3 5/21/15 10:12 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 31
IBy Terri Talarek King
I WAS IN Colorado in mid-April in the Rockies. One cannot help
but marvel at the majesty and largeness of mountains cloud-piercing
peaks, ancient rock towering like giant ships prows, and tall
conifers like frilly sticks
on the giant moun-tainside.
My friends had wanted me to see the tundra, an amazing place
where tiny mosses, lichens and other plants grow like a miniature
forest.
But, due to a freak snowstorm, the roads were blocked to that
area.
Just think of it looking down at a tiny forest under your feet
while the
huge Rockies loom all around. But, I know places like this,
right here in Indi-ana. All one needs is a magnifying lens and,
more importantly, a good eye, for whole diverse, teeming, fantastic
and even bizarre worlds to appear.
You can travel quite far within a bed of moss. Or a square foot
of soil. Or in a drop of pond water under a micro-scope. Under a
rock. On the head of a sunflower. You will see utterly beauti-ful
things that most people never no-tice, and you will see things so
strange that could not be made up even by the
best creators of science fiction.The thing is these tiny things
are
what drive the world. The largest can-not exist without
them.
The miniature tundra forest is essential to life in the
mountains. Mi-croscopic water creatures are essential to the whole
lake where we go fishing. Those tiny beings thriving in a square
foot of soil also make up the health of a whole farm field.
Its the little things that matter, in life and landscape.
This summer is a great time to pay attention to the little
things while so much is happening outdoors. In our summer
busy-ness, we can stop to rest now and then, look, and consider
those tiny things that drive our world.
And send the children outside with magnifying lenses. They will
build mountains of knowledge.
Terri Talarek King lives in Knox County and is a naturalist and
organic garden-er, educator and writer. She is certified as an
advanced master naturalist and grow organic educator.
THE NATURAL SIDE OF THINGS
Its the little things ...
Terri Talarek King on the ground, examining small worlds with a
magnifier.| PHOTO BY ANGIE LUCAS
The older I get, the more Im conscious of ways very small things
can make a change in the world, but the world is made up of tiny
matters, isnt it?
Sandra Cisneros
Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely
proportional.
Liz Vassey
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust
A patch of moss growing on a rock is its own little ecosystem.|
PHOTO BY TERRI TALAREK KING
p31NaturalSideJun15.indd 1 5/20/15 8:26 AM
-
32 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
EBy Lindsay Owens
EASY TO GROW and often VERY plentiful, zucchini and summer
squash can be planted by seed or plants. Typi-cally, I use a
combination of both so that I dont have an overabundance of squash
coming off at a time. Squash seeds do best when planted in hills
with two seeds. Dont worry if both seeds sprout they can be thinned
so that only the stronger of the two plants remains or the weaker
plant can sometimes be transplanted (just remember to water it
after transplanting). Because most varieties have plants that will
become fairly large, I would recom-mend making sure hills or plants
are at least 12 to 18 inches apart. Dont forget, in addition to
eating the squash, the blos-soms can also be fried. Just remember
no blooms equals no squash. Heres a new recipe I cant wait to
try.
Mexican Zucchini Cheese Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil1 cup chopped onion2 cloves garlic,
minced1/2 teaspoon dried oregano2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth1
(14.5 ounce) can Mexican-stylestewed tomatoes2 medium zucchini,
halved length-
wiseand cut in 1/4 inch slices
2 medium yellow squash, halvedlengthwise and cut in 1/4 inch
slices1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel
corn, drained1 (4.5 ounce) can diced green chile
peppers12 ounces processed cheese food,cubed1/2 teaspoon freshly
ground black
pepper1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Heat the olive oil in a large pot, and saute the onion and
garlic until tender. Season with oregano.
Mix in the chicken broth and toma-toes. Bring to a boil. Mix in
the zucchini, yellow squash, corn, and chile peppers. Reduce heat
to low, and simmer 10 min-utes, or until the squash is tender.
Mix the cubed processed cheese into the soup. Continue to cook
and stir until cheese is melted. Season with pepper. Mix in the
cilantro just before serving.
Sweet CornJune also means sweet corn time is
just around the corner. Sweet corn on the cob is served at my
house every night in the summer and because we freeze a large
amount as well, we have home-grown corn year round. If you have
an
overabundance and are tired of tradition-al sweet corn recipes
try this relish that also includes plump, juicy blueberries.
Sweet and Hot Corn Blueberry Relish
1 tablespoon corn oil or vegetable oil
2 cups fresh corn kernels or one 10-ounce package frozen whole
kernel corn, thawed (2 cups)
1 -2 cloves garlic, minced2 tomatillos, husks removed,
rinsed, and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 fresh jalapeno or serrano chile peppers, seeded and finely
chopped
1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon
finely shredded lime
peel2 tablespoons lime juice1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup fresh
blueberries
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add
the fresh or frozen corn and the garlic. Cook and stir for 5
minutes. Stir in the tomatillos and jalapeno peppers. Cook and stir
about 5 minutes more or until the tomatillos are soft (the corn
should be cooked but still firm). Remove from heat and cool
slight-ly. Stir in the cilantro, honey, lime peel, juice and
salt.
Gently toss in blueberries. Transfer the relish to a covered
container and chill for 4 hours to allow flavors to blend.
Bring relish to room temperature before serving. Serve relish as
a side dish or with grilled steaks, chops, burgers, chicken or
fish. Makes about 2-1/2 cups (ten 1/2-cup servings).
Corn and zucchiniNew recipes for summer staples
IN SEASON
p32InSeasonJun15.indd 1 5/22/15 10:10 PM
-
GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND x JUNE 2015 | 33
T
GOOD TO THE EARTH
By Jenna Schaffer
THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION of Soil and Water Conservation
Dis-tricts does not take soil health or water quality lightly. The
state believes it is critical that awareness is raised for our
generation and future generations. By keeping our soil and water
clean, we can provide food for the world for many years to
come.
With 92 Soil and Water Conservation District counties in
Indiana, there are almost 400 volunteers alone reaching out to do
whatever they possibly can for their environment. Coordination
becomes much easier with each person that can spare some of their
time.
In an effort to help develop those locally-driven solutions to
the natural resource concern, there are technical, financial,
public and private, local, state, and federal sources. Watershed
organizations, public agencies, and private landowners and managers
are all part of the IASWCD partnership.
To reach the younger generation and to help them become more
involved, there have been several events to get students active in
the environment, like Indianas Envirothon. There are 45 states and
nine Canadian provinces that compete in the annual Envirothon.
The Envirothon is a competitive learning event for high
school-aged students. These students put a lot of their spare time
into this competition. This event tests the knowledge of the young
boys and girls over environmental resources. These environmental
resources include aquatics, soils, forestry, wildlife, and current
environmental issues.
The teams are made up of five students each, either representing
a school or organization. Your school or organization may have more
than one team, but there is still a limited number that can
represent the school. Teams may also bring their alternates with
them to the state competition in case
they are needed that day. Students not only have to be very
knowledgeable in all of the areas that they are tested in, but
must prove they can show that knowledge in the hands-on segment of
the event. To get to the state event, a team must first place in
one of the top spots. If a regional had 12 teams or more, the top
three teams would move on to state, and if there were less than 12
teams, only the top two would get to compete at state level. There
were seven different regionals this year in the state of Indiana
alone. Thats a definite positive for the future, with a growing
number of students showing a wide interest in learning and solving
environmental issues.
The Envirothon State location is never in the same place as it
was the year before. The committee chooses a location in different
areas of the state so its a fair drive for each school. Sometimes,
the location is in the Southern portion of the state, Northern
portion, or even right in the middle. The 2015 State Envirothon was
held at Camp Illiana right outside of Washington and the 2014 State
contest was at Beck Agricultural Center, Purdue University.
This year, 13 teams, including one from Washington High School,
took part in the state competition. Members of the Washington team
included Tia Webb, Kaely Morrison, Timothy Webb, Brady Turner,
Ethan Clarke, and Marcus Thorne.
The Envirothon is a fun way for high school students to learn
about the environment and the issues facing current and future
generations, said Washington High School
High school students active in environmental awareness through
Envirothon
The Washington High School Envirothon team includes, front from
left: Tia Webb and Kaely Morrison. Back from left, Timothy Webb
(alternate), Brady Turner, Ethan Clarke and Marcus Thorne.
444
The Indiana State Envirothon Competition was held in April at
Camp Illiana, near Washington. | PHOTO BY JENNA SCHAFFER
p33-34GoodToEarthJun15.indd 1 5/27/15 11:13 AM
-
34 | JUNE 2015 x GROWING IN THE HEARTLAND
science teacher and Envirothon advisor Elizabeth Schaffer. The
hands-on component is especially appealing to students.
State Envirothon is set up differently than the regional event.
Regionals are only judged on the hand-written test. At the state
level, not only is there a hand-written exam, but also the hands-on
testing, and a group presentation. The group presentation is about
a current environmental issue in the state and the students must
figure out a way to solve the pro