Agriculture and Natural Resources

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 .

2026 Eagles in Flight Weekend, Turkey Run State Park – January 23 – 25 (Friends of Turkey Run & Shades State Park auction goes live on Jan. 12, see: 32auctions.com/EIF26)
For details see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-eagles-in-flight-weekend-tickets-1978177261440
Beekeeping 101, Ivy Tech Community College, Terre Haute Main Campus – January 24, 9 am – 3 pm
The Beekeeping Clubs of Western Indiana are hosting Beekeeping 101 at the Ivy Tech Community College, 8000 Education Dr., Terre Haute. This is a class for beginning beekeepers and anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper. The class will cover basic beekeeping techniques and will include hive management and pest control. There will be something for all levels of beekeepers. Registration includes a lunch, door prizes and the opportunity to win a complete bee hive. Cost is $25/person or $40/couple or $10 for everyone under 18. Limited space, register here: https://clay-county-beekeepers-club.square.site/ Pre-registration is required. More info: email Leslie claybeekeepers@gmail.com or 812-249-5671.
Building Better Boards, Vermillion Co. Fairgrounds 4-H Community Building – January 31, 9 am – Noon
FREE Do you serve on a board? Do you know your responsibilities as a board member? If you are interested in learning more about being a better board member, please plan to join Purdue Extension Vermillion County and the Vermillion County Extension Board for the Building Better Boards workshop on Saturday, January 31st, from 9:00 AM to Noon in the 4-H Community Building, Vermillion County Fairgrounds, Cayuga. Thank you to International Paper for sponsoring this workshop to offset the fees for the Real Colors personality assessment! See attachment for details.
Registration is required by January 23rd and should be completed at https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7NyeR3TVd0yZtWu
Virtual Tree Planting Workshop - February 12, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET
FREE The presentation covers the planning, planting, and maintenance of your tree planting. Foresters from the IDNR 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 6th. 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. If you have any questions, please contact the Jasper-Pulaski State Tree Nursery at jaspernursery@dnr.in.gov or 219-843-4827.
Virtual Forest Management for the Private Woodland Owner course – February 18 – April 1
This course provides forest landowners access to 8 videos and 3 online learning sessions (Feb 18, Mar 11, Apr 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST) designed to introduce participants to the biology and management of forests, and the resources and professional assistance they can access to help them form their property management goals and pursue their objectives. 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. The fee to participate is only $15. Advanced registration is required by February 13th. For more information and to register scroll to February 18 at https://ag.purdue.edu/department/fnr/about/fnr-ext-events.html