Agriculture and Natural Resources

  Phillip Cox

 

Phillip Cox is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator in Vermillion County. He is on the Indiana Small Farm Conference team and has served on the Trade Show subcommittee for the past several years. He also coordinates programming that includes such topics as pesticide safety, native plants, invasive species, gardening, natural resources, farming, wildlife management, and forestry.

 

Contact Us

Purdue Extension

Extension Educator - Vermillion County

cox119@purdue.edu

765-492-5330

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 Annie’s Project for Cut Flower Growers, Monday Evenings, 6 – 9:00 pm EST, Jan 20 – Feb 24

Calling all Cut Flower Growers!  Join us for Annie's Project for Cut Flower Growers! This is a six-week course that is discussion-based bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial and tax management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field. Find a location near you (in-person location closest to us is in Crawfordsville) or join virtually!

Cost is $65. Register before January 13th at: https://cvent.me/xbkgdZ

Virtual Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Virtual Course, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 23, 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST

The virtual Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course will provide access to 8 videos you may watch on your own schedule and three live, online Zoom meetings to provide access to additional information and answer your questions. All content will be delivered via Zoom and other web-based resources. Topics covered include tree ID, forest history and biology, management planning, management practices, wildlife management, timber sales, forest economics, and resources and assistance for forest landowners. In addition, we will provide connections to local forestry and natural resource field days taking place across the state to help you connect on the ground to professionals and see management practices in-person.

You can access the registration site and additional course information at https://cvent.me/wkVWPQ.

The fee to participate is $15. Advanced registration is required and total attendance is limited, so please register at your earliest convenience.

 

 Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training Class Applications due February 10

Everyone that wants to learn all about gardening and volunteer to teach others about gardening, are invited to participate in the Parke-Vermillion Master Gardener Basic Training Class starting on  Monday, February 24th at the Montezuma Fire Department (551 E. Crawford St.).  There will be 14 classes that will meet every Monday through June 2th (except May 26) from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  No previous gardening experience is required.  Space is limited and registration is due by February 14th.

 Instructors are Purdue Extension experts that teach classes in plant science, fruit and vegetable gardening, weeds & pesticides, herbaceous and woody ornamentals, soils and plant nutrition, lawn care, identification and control of pests, plant diseases, and invasive species.  There is a $145 fee for the training that includes the Purdue Master Gardener Manual plus handouts.  Couples may share materials for a reduced fee of $225.

 The Master Gardener Program is one way Purdue Extension puts knowledge to work and helps people grow. First, the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program helps gardeners grow by providing them with intensive education in horticultural principles. Participants, in turn, share their knowledge and help others grow by providing volunteer leadership and service to their communities in educational gardening activities.

 An application must be completed and approved by February 10th before registration can be paid online.  For more information and an application, please contact Phil Cox at the Vermillion County Extension office at (765)492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu ; or Kurt Lanzone at the Parke County Extension office at (765)569-3176 or klanzone@purdue.edu .  Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

 

Virtual Tree Planting Workshop for Windbreaks, Wildlife & Forest Plantations, Feb. 11, 1:00 – 3:00 EST

FREE The IDNR be holding a Virtual Tree Planting Workshop via Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 1-3 p.m. (ET).  The presentation will last about an hour and cover the planning, planting, and maintenance of your tree planting. Foresters from the DNR and Purdue will be available to answer your questions during and after the presentation.

The workshop is free, but registration is required by Friday, February 7. To register, send jaspernursery@dnr.in.gov your name, number of attendees and your email address. Before the workshop, all registered attendees will receive an email with log-in information.  Please see the attached flyer for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact the Jasper-Pulaski State Tree Nursery at jaspernursery@dnr.in.gov or at 219-843-4827.

Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 14th – 15th at Dobbs Park Nature Center (or Feb. 14th – 17th on your own!)

Join a member of the Wabash Valley Audubon Society at Dobbs Park Nature Center, 5170 E. Poplar Dr., Terre Haute, as we count birds that come to the feeders from the comfort of the Wildlife Viewing Area.  We will be submitting our count data to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the 28th Great Backyard Bird Count that is also sponsored by the National Audubon Society.  All citizen scientists are welcome, including beginning birders for this opportunity to learn to identify some of our local birds as follows: 

February 14: 10:00 – 10:30 am, 1:00 – 1:30 pm, 3:00 – 3:30 pm

February 15:  11:00 – 11:30 am, 1:00 – 1:30 pm, 3:00 -3:30 pm

Bring binoculars if you have them (or borrow them from the nature center), your favorite ID book, and download the free Merlin Bird ID or eBird Mobile apps as you are able.

If you can’t come, you can participate from your own backyard or other location February 14 – 17.  For details visit www.birdcount.org.   

The Wabash Valley Audubon Society serves Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Wabash Valley Audubon Society like their Facebook page or visit their website at www.wabashvalleyaudubonsociety.org.

Bi-State Homesteading Conference, Feb. 18, 10:30 – 2:00 pm EST

University of Illinois Extension and Purdue University Extension are excited to announce their inaugural Bi-State Homesteading Conference. This marks the first time the Bi-State team has put together a conference designed specifically for homesteaders, aspiring homesteaders, and those interested in learning more about sustainable living.

The conference will feature a diverse lineup of engaging speakers, including:

  • Tabby Flinn, Purdue Extension Ag and Natural Resources Educator for Vigo County will present Adding Bees to Your Homestead, covering the basics of beekeeping, such as boosting pollination to harvesting honey.
  • Sarah Hanson, Purdue Extension Food Systems Coordinator, and Rachel Mannen, University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator, will host a Local Food Panel Q&A session. Sarah will discuss resources for beginning farmers and homesteaders as well as potential outlets for their production, while Rachel will cover food safety and preservation techniques, offering participants the latest updates and best practices in this area.
  • Dr. Darrin Karcher’s talk, Backyard Poultry, will cover the basics of backyard production, including how to keep birds happy, healthy, and productive

In addition to learning from these Illinois and Indiana experts, the conference will also provide an opportunity for attendees to connect with other homesteaders and learn from their experiences.

“We are thrilled to host this unique event that brings together the expertise of both the University of Illinois and Purdue University Extensions,” said Purdue Extension Educator and conference organizer Jamie Reed.  “This conference offers a valuable opportunity for individuals to learn from leading experts and connect with others who share a passion for sustainable living.”

The conference is on Feb. 18, 2025, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at 2:00 p.m. (EST). The cost of $30 includes the full conference and a delicious lunch served by the Beef House. Cash or checks will be taken at the door. Registration closes on Thursday, February 14th.

For more information or to register, visit https://go.illinois.edu/BiStateHomesteading and register by Feb. 14th. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please email Jamie Reed at 219-285-8620 or reed258@purdue.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.  University of Illinois and Purdue University Extension provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Indiana’s Fossil History, Feb. 19th, 6:30 pm EST

The Wabash Valley Audubon Society will host archaeologist Robert Williams sharing “Indiana’s Fossil History” at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 19th at the Dobbs Park Nature Center, 5170 East Poplar St., Terre Haute. Robert will explore Indiana’s fossil record during Indiana’s prehistory.  Robert will also delve on the geologic principles that reveal how we know what we know about our prehistory, including what dinosaurs might have roamed Indiana and why we don’t find their fossils here.  Everyone is invited to join the WVAS for this adventure into the Jurassic period and beyond.  The Wabash Valley Audubon Society serves Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Wabash Valley Audubon Society like their Facebook page or visit their website at www.wabashvalleyaudubonsociety.org.

Virtual Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner Virtual Course, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 23, 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST

The virtual Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course will provide access to 8 videos you may watch on your own schedule and three live, online Zoom meetings to provide access to additional information and answer your questions. All content will be delivered via Zoom and other web-based resources. Topics covered include tree ID, forest history and biology, management planning, management practices, wildlife management, timber sales, forest economics, and resources and assistance for forest landowners. In addition, we will provide connections to local forestry and natural resource field days taking place across the state to help you connect on the ground to professionals and see management practices in-person.

You can access the registration site and additional course information at https://cvent.me/wkVWPQ.

The fee to participate is $15. Advanced registration is required and total attendance is limited, so please register at your earliest convenience.

Indiana Small Farm Conference & Trade Show, March 4 -5

The 13th Indiana Small Farm Conference will be held at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex.  For more details on educational opportunities and exhibiting at the Trade Show visit https://extension.purdue.edu/anr/_teams/dffs/small_farm_conference

Raccoon State Recreation Area Weed Wrangle, March 8, 9 – Noon EST

Meet at the Raccoon State Recreation Area, Raccoon Shelter at 9:00 am for a light breakfast, safety training (gloves (but please bring your own if possible) & equipment provided).  Multiflora Rose and Bush Honeysuckle will be the targeted species. For more info contact: Steven McGhee

Conservation Resource Technician, Vermillion-Parke Soil Health Alliance, Vermillion and Parke County Soil and Water Conservation District

Office: 765-492-4280 Cell: 765-562-3856 or resourcetech@iaswcd.org.

Wild Fungi Workshop, March 11, 6 – 8:00 pm EST

Cayle Moreo will discuss “How to Grow Your Own Mushrooms at Home” at the Rangeline Conservation Club, 16435 S Rangeline Rd., Clinton, IN  Registration is not mandatory but recommended at https://forms.gle/NsNpXdFFdJi5kqAeA.  Sponsored by the Urban Soil Health Group, Conservation & Ag Resource Partnership, Vigo, Vermillion & Parke Counties.

Wild Fungi Workshop, March 18, 6 – 8:00 pm EST

David Mow will discuss “Foraging in the Wild for Mushrooms” at the Rangeline Conservation Club, 16435 S Rangeline Rd., Clinton, IN  Registration is not mandatory but recommended at https://forms.gle/NsNpXdFFdJi5kqAeA.  Sponsored by the Urban Soil Health Group, Conservation & Ag Resource Partnership, Vigo, Vermillion & Parke Counties.