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

SOIL TESTING AVAILABLE

Soil testing is recommended every 3 – 5 years.  The Purdue Extension Vermillion County Office will take your garden soil samples (they must be dry) for nutrient & pH analysis and send them to a soils lab for fertilizer recommendations for $12.  For $5 more an organic matter analysis will be completed. Soil sample bags, sample forms, and instructions can be picked up at the Office.  For details, call 765-492-5330 or email cox119@purdue.edu .   

Wednesdays in the Wild, July – Oct

FREE (mostly) See the attached flier for details.

 

wednesdays

 

wednesday

Wednesday, August 27, from 4 pm to 6 pm, central time - Seed Collection for Prairie Restoration at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR.

  • Help collect seeds of prairie species from Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, which will be used to enhance restoration plantings at Willow Slough FWA, just a few miles down the road.
  • This is workday 4 of 4 this August for seed harvesting at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve with Gus!
  • Gloves, snacks and water will be provided.
  • For more information, including meeting location, contact Gus Nyberg at nyberggus@gmail.com and 765-427-4345.

 

Saturday, September 6, from 11 am to 5 pm central time - Festival de la Monarca in Lake County, Indiana, hosted by City of East Chicago in partnership with TNC, Audubon Great Lakes, The Field Museum, Save the Dunes, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and Wild Ones Chapter at Gibson Woods.

  • The 8th Annual East Chicago Festival de la Monarca is taking flight again! Help welcome the monarch butterflies as they journey across northwest Indiana on their way to Mexico.
  • The festival is FREE and open to all! 
  • Come celebrate with other members of the community with educational exhibits, fun activities, music, art, dance and food—as well as TNC's Monarch Experience.
  • The Festival will take place in Kosciuszko Park, East Chicago located at 151st and Indianapolis Boulevard.
  • For more information, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/events/indiana-monarch-festival-2025/ or contact Esmé Barniskis at esme.barniskis@tnc.org.

Sunday, September 7, from 7 pm to 9 pm, central time – Conrad by Moonlight Nighttime Hike, hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with TNC.

  • An annual tradition! Let’s stroll at dusk among the majestic oaks of Conrad Station Savanna. The moon will shine as we make our way to the foundation of the old hotel at the ghost town of Conrad.
  • Local historian, Mary Kay Emmrich, will tell us the history of this ghost town as we walk the 1.6-mile trail. You will have the option to continue on the loop trail or return to the parking lot after the 0.5 mile walk to the old hotel.
  • Children and families are especially welcome. 
  • Bring a flashlight. 
  • Meet at the Conrad Station Savanna parking area located on CR 725 N, a half mile east of US 41.
  • Please RSVP. Contact Jeanette Jaskula at jmjaskula@yahoo.com.

 

 

Music on the Prairie, September 14, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

$50 For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events

Trails & Tastings at Britton Winery, September 18, 5:30 pm

$75 For details see: https://www.parketrailsalliance.org/trails-and-tastings-event.html