June Growing In The Heartland

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

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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

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Jennifer PachecoFoundation Director

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812-885-3377

TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTACT:

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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

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p7GermanAmericanJun15.indd 1 5/21/15 6:49 PM


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.

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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


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

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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


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


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


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.

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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

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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


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



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



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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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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.

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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



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


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


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.

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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


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

Documents

June Growing In The Heartland