Purdue Extension Martin County Blast September 4. 2023
The Purdue Extension Martin County weekly column is provided to help all learn
about programs & opportunities. We highlight events from Purdue University & Extension
where we hope you will choose to be part of Extension….. where there is Opportunity4All!
MARTIN COUNTY 4-H MEMBER HARRY RICHER PRESENTS AT THE MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING 9-5-2023
Second year 4-H member Harry Richer presents information to the Martin County Commissioners, explaining the poultry processing steps. Harry’s 4-H Exhibit earned him the highest recognition as Sweepstakes Recognition at the Indiana State Fair in the poultry poster / display project. Harry is the son of Jon & Megan Richer and siblings of Jack, Charlotte & Addy of Loogootee.
Pictured below: Commissioner Cody Roush, Commissioner Aaron Summers, 4-Her Harry Richer, Commissioner Paul George, parent Jon Richer and Purdue Extension 4-H Educator Dena Held.
MARTIN COUNTY 4-H TURKEY DINNER & 2023 4-H ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Save the date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center, Community Building
4-H JR. LEADERS HOST 2ND COOKIES AND CANVAS FUN OPPORTUNITY
WHEN: Sunday, October 1, 2023
TIME: 2:00 pm
WHERE: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds Community Building, 2668 US 50, Loogootee
COST: $10.00 – includes all painting items and refreshments
RESERVATIONS: Due by Friday, September 22 4:00 pm by calling the Extension Office at 812-295-2412
Please include any special accommodations or special dietary needs at the time your reservation is made.
There will be a 4-H enrollment station for K – 12 grades from 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by the Junior Leaders and was well attended last year so be sure to get out your names on the list as soon as possible. Walk-ins may be accepted on the day of the event as long as enough supplies are available - no guarantees, so please RSVP.
2024 martin county 4-h fair
The fair dates are July 11-16, 2024- Thursday to Tuesday
MARTIN COUNTY PESTICIDE APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION COURSE
Monday, November 6, 2023 10 am – 12 Noon EST
Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center, Community Building
STOCKMANSHIP with CURT PATE
From Ryegate, Montana. Curt Pate uses his personal experience incorporating effective stockmanship principles, supports a “for profit” mindset and focuses on highlighting the increased economic benefits of handling stock correctly. In addition, Curt recognizes the growing public scrutiny surrounding livestock production and the impact that improved livestock handling practices create for the sustainability of the cattle industry.
WHERE: Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center, Dubois, IN
WHEN: Friday, September 29, 2023 – Beef Focused Program
Saturday, September 30, 2023 – Sheep & Goat Focused Program
DETAILS AVAILABLE AT:
www.indianaforage.org – www.indianasheep.com – www.indianabeef.org
92nd IBEP PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE & SPRINGVILLE FEEDER AUCION HEIFER & COW SALE
More bull for your buck – performance tested; ranch ready
When: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Where: Springville, Indiana - Visitors are welcome at any time
For more information: Indiana Beef Evaluation Program,1117 State Road 458, Bedford, IN 47421 (812) 249-4330
Visit: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ansc/idep/2023-summer-test.html
VOLUNTEER opportunities
Have you ever thought about a talent you have or a talent you want to develop alongside youth in the 4-H Program?
Purdue Extension & Martin County 4-H is seeking adults to work to MAKE THE BEST BETTER through 4-H programs. Contact Dena to explore how to work together in this way. No matter how much time you have, volunteering with 4-H makes a difference by helping youth explore and discover the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. There are lots of ways to get involved! Currently, 4-H Club Leaders are needed for All Terrain Vehicle Program and STEM/Robotics. Various content specialist and general volunteers are also needed. Looking to help with the 4-H Fair and have some ideas? Join one of the committees. Wonder how we can continue to bring fun and learning to youth through 4-H all year long? Do you have ideas? NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO GET INVOLVED!
Parents, family and adult friends of 4-H members are often a natural fit to help with programming and is one way to spending quality time with the youth in your lives!
INDIANA 4-H PROGRAMS LEAD TO POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
4-H began over 100 years ago and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni, 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America’s 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service, reaching every corner of our nation.
In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program. The impact of 4-H for life skill development providing college & career pathways is proven. Volunteer leadership in 4-H provides a part of the critical competencies required for 4-H programming. Thank you to all volunteers!
We invite all youth, kindergarten to twelfth grade, to join 4-H! The program provides opportunity for all!
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING IN 4-H
Adapted from https://4-h.org/about/impact-areas/equity-and-inclusion/
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging must be more than words to be effective in addressing the widening opportunity gap affecting young people. Lack of access to positive relationships and the sense of belonging young people need to thrive through challenge is negatively affecting them in various ways, including a teen mental health crisis that encompasses loneliness, depression and anxiety. For more than 100 years, 4-H has given youth voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. Today, 4-H strives to reflect America and celebrate the diverse population from all beliefs and backgrounds.
How 4-H is making an impact: Research shows that two key elements help young people thrive in life: a sense of belonging, and a caring adult beyond a parent or guardian. Through positive youth development (PYD), 4-H educators throughout the Cooperative Extension System provide hands-on learning experiences that cultivate inclusion, diversity and belonging. From youth-led summits that promote best practices about inclusion to trainings providing guidance for 4-H professionals and volunteers, 4-H is creating with care adults. 4-H camp programs give nearly half a million youth the opportunity to participate research-backed, positive youth development.
One such program is the National Program True Leaders in Equity Institute. This training and leadership opportunity challenges participants to work together to ideate and champion equity-related projects that will grow 4-H in their communities. True Leaders in Equity Institute produces a well-trained cadre of youth who function as ambassadors within a growing network of change agents in the 4-H system. To continue to grow the critical work being done in local communities every day, 4-H is also working to build a True Leaders in Equity Hub to maximize reach and develop an opportunity for all youth to participate in DEI activities. 4-H will train a DEI Ambassador Corps of teen leaders from all over the country with the goal of reaching 1,000 communities by 2025. To learn move visit: https://4-h.org/programs/true-leaders-in-equity/
REMOTE WORK PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSE
To help entrepreneurs, freelancers and employees enhance their remote work skills, the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) and Purdue Extension have partnered to offer the Remote Work Professional Certificate course. Grant funding allows Indiana participants to complete the certificate for $50 compared to its regular price of $199.
The Remote Work Professional Certificate course equips individuals with the skills needed to excel in a remote work environment. The course covers topics such as time management, communication, collaboration and strategies for staying focused and productive while working from home. Participants will learn about the latest tools and technologies that are essential for remote work success.
“Remote work is the future of work, and we are thrilled to offer this course to help individuals thrive in this new environment,” said Emily Del Real, PCRD engagement specialist. “With grant funding, we are able to make this course accessible, regardless of financial circumstances.”
The online certificate course consists of nine self-paced core modules and four interactive workshops. The modules will cover how to set up a virtual office and communicate professionally, as well as understanding task management and project tracking, the legal precautions of working online, problem solving, and remote professional development. Participants will need reliable access to broadband, a web camera and microphone, and basic computer proficiency. Program coaches will be available throughout the course to answer questions and guide participants through the modules.
To register for the online course and take advantage of the grant funding program, visit https://pcrd.purdue.edu/remoteworkcertificate/ and enter discount code RBDG_Grant22.
About the Purdue Center for Regional Development
The Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) seeks to pioneer new ideas and strategies that contribute to regional collaboration, innovation and prosperity. Founded in 2005, the center partners with public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to identify and enhance the key drivers of innovation in regions across Indiana, the U.S. and beyond. These drivers include a vibrant and inclusive civic leadership, a commitment to collaboration and the application of advanced data support systems to promote sound decision-making and the pursuit of economic development investments that build on the competitive assets of regions. Learn more at https://pcrd.purdue.edu/.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING SERIES PROGRAM
The seven-week program is designed for local leaders, government officials, NGOs, and community members interested in living and leading sustainably. It meets online once a week and incorporates live presentations, activities, and group discussions. Weekly assignments, including online videos and homework, supplement the live sessions.
The program begins on September 13 and takes place on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm EST through October 25.
- Explore energy, water, and food topics and learn how these three work together as a system.
- Delve into the U.S. economy and understand how our consumption of goods impacts our world.
- Discover ways to take action in your home and community to reduce your footprint and increase your handprint.
- Learn how people across the country are making a difference for their communities.
- Earn a digital badge when you complete the course
Please contact Steve Yoder at yoder46@purdue.edu or visit bit.ly/45pLZkn
Register here: bit.ly/456D080
2024 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy
Learn to be a Leader in Watershed Management & sign up now to improve your watershed management skills. If you’re interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the 2024 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy.
The Academy, organized by Purdue University with support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and other Indiana conservation agencies and organizations, gives participants the chance to:
- Engage with watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills
- Meet, learn from, and engage with others who work in watershed management
- Interact with topic experts
- Gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management
- Earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management
Enrollment deadline: November 3, 2023
Web site: For the online application and information about the Academy, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds/academy.html
Format: The program includes three face-to-face group sessions, plus distance learning and online networking (approximately 2 hrs/week). The Academy will run from January to May, 2024, with workshops on January 3-4, March 27-28, and May 22, 2024.
Recognition: Participants who complete all requirements earn a Purdue University Continuing Education Professional Certificate in Watershed Management.
For more information, please contact Sara Peel, speel@purdue.edu, or see the Academy Website https://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds/academy.html to fill out the registration application.
USDA CLIMATE SMART PROJECT
Climate-Smart Grasslands – the Root of Agricultural Carbon Markets
Farms implement up to six specific practices, each of which has previously documented potential increase soil organic carbon storage, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enhance system resilience, all while making a positive contribution to profitability, drought resiliency, soil and water quality, and habitat for at-risk grassland birds and pollinators. For more information contact Abby Heidenreich at aheidnr@purdue.edu
INDIANA ORGANIC GRAIN FARMER MEETING
SAVE THE DATE: February 28, 2024
Beck Agricultural Center
West Lafayette, IN
The Indiana Organic Grain Farmer meeting increases participant understanding of organic transition, certification and cropping systems through peer learning and networking. This annual event includes education and workshops on transitioning to organic grain, breakout sessions, farmer panels, networking time and an industry trade show.
For more information contact: Ashley Adair - Extension Organic Agriculture Specialist Email: holmes9@purdue.edu
PURDUE EXTENSION: FARM STRESS TEAM
You can’t take care of your farm, your livestock or your family if you don’t first take care of yourself.
The Purdue Farm Stress team is part of a 12-state collaborative effort that was awarded the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network grant administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The goal is to create/expand stress management and mental health resources and services to agricultural producers/stakeholders in the North Central region. Listen to the podcast! Tools For Today’s Farmer. Featuring interviews with leaders in the agriculture industry. Find it anywhere you listen to podcasts or simply google search “Tools for Today’s Farmer Podcast”
Check the website for more resources and information: Extension.purdue.edu/farmstress
HOW CAN YOU INCREASE PURDUE EXTENSION OUTREACH?
- Like and Follow on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Invite your friends to join us!
Purdue Extension provides research-based practical education applied to the problems of families, communities, agriculture, business and industry.
More information can be picked up at the Martin County Purdue Extension Office located at: 2666 US HWY 50, Loogootee, or talk to us at 812-295-2412.
ONCE UPON A GARDEN FALL SEMINAR
You’re Invited! Make plans to attend the Fall Seminar “Once Upon A Garden” hosted by the Gibson County Master Gardener Association with 4 Guest Speakers plus several vendor booths.
Join us October 21st, 2023 at the Toyota Event Center in Princeton, Indiana.
Doors open at 8 am Central Time, Seminar starts at 9 am.
Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/once-upon-a-garden-gibson-county-master-gardeners-seminar-tickets-536141913897
FACILITATIVE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
This three-day workshop is for both new and experienced leaders, managers, facilitators and graduate students who would like to develop or improve their facilitation skills. Participants will practice leadership strategies using tools, techniques, verbal skills necessary to lead group discussions, reach consensus and set outcome-based goals. Each participant will plan and lead a 45-minute small group facilitation and receive feedback from instructors and colleagues.
When: OCTOBER 2-4, 2023
REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 18, Workshop size is limited
COST: $625 and includes lunch and materials
LEARN MORE AT EXTENSION.PURDUE.EDU/CDEXT
DNR – INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES White-tailed Deer Hunting
Adapted from: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/white-tailed-deer/?_ga
Deer Hunting Dates – 2023-2024
- Reduction Zone – September 15, 2023 – January 31, 2024 (Where Open)
- Youth Season – September 23 – 24, 2023
- Archery: October 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024
- Firearm: November 18 – December 2, 2023
- Muzzleloader: December 9 – 24, 2023
- A full list of season dates, bag limits, and legal equipment can be found on the deer-hunting question and answers page.
A resident youth hunt/trap, deer hunting, or comprehensive lifetime hunting license is required to hunt for deer unless you meet one of the license exemptions. All deer harvested in Indiana must be reported within 48 hours of the time of harvest at an on-site check station, online, through your Indiana Fish & Wildlife Account, or by phone at 1-800-419-1326. There is a $3 charge for the phone service, payable only by Visa or Mastercard. For more information, see our Deer Hunting Questions page.
Carcasses of deer and other wild animals that are lawfully taken cannot be dumped in streams or other bodies of water. Dumping dead deer and other wild animals in a waterway is considered littering and is a criminal offense punishable by a fine. Rotting carcasses in a waterway can also affect water quality for those downstream. Carcasses should not be burned because this can cause air pollution. Carcasses shouldn’t be left in the open for scavengers and others to see without permission from the landowner. We recommend all discarded carcasses and unwanted animal parts be bagged, placed in your trash, and sent to a landfill.
More information regarding licensing and regulations all the way through recipes and harvest numbers can be found on the above website published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT, GARDEN, AGRICULTURE: CONSIDER INSTALLING A WINDBREAK
Adapted from https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/whitley/2023/09/consider-installing-a-windbreak.html
By John E. Woodmansee
As summer transitions to fall, we begin to feel that crisp autumn air. Then, we begin to think about winter and possible snowfall. If you live in the country, you probably know what a cold winter wind buffeting the house feels like. What if you could insulate yourself somewhat from ole-man winter? Consider installing a windbreak
.Most trees do well when planted in spring or fall, and needle evergreens will be no exception when planted in the fall of the year. So, this is a good time to plan.
The primary purpose of a windbreak is to reduce wind velocity on the leeward (downwind) side of the planting. Added benefits of windbreaks may include: providing food and cover for wildlife, controlling drifting snow, reducing home heating costs, and increasing the beauty of the homestead.
Multiple rows of trees and/or shrubs may constitute a windbreak. Ideally, a farm or homestead windbreak should be composed of at least two rows of conifers (cone-bearing species) and one row each of tall deciduous trees, tall shrubs, and short shrubs. The windbreak should be planted perpendicular to the prevailing winter wind, and placed at a distance of 2-5 times the windbreak's height from the area to be protected.
A variety of species have been successfully used for windbreaks, including eastern white pine, red pine, northern white-cedar, Norway spruce, Austrian pine, blue spruce, and white fir. Do your homework to determine which of these species will be suitable for your soils and site conditions. Selecting more than one tree species for the windbreak is often a good practice. Species have differing tolerances to factors such as disease, insects, salt tolerance, soil moisture, and drought. Including a variety of species in your windbreak provides protection against losing the entire planting due to one or more of these stressors.
The location of the windbreak is not just determined by prevailing winds and the space to buildings. Consider power lines, road visibility, snowdrift patterns (e.g., windbreak should be at least 100 feet from a driveway), buried power lines, septic absorption fields, and other uses of land that may conflict with the windbreak.
Spacing is another important consideration. In-row spacing for most species is from 8 to 16 feet, with a between-row spacing of 12-20 feet. Twin-row high-density spacing should have a between-row spacing of 4-12 feet. Each row should have trees planted so that they align with the center open space of the prior row.
Non-conifer species provide other benefits. Wildlife can benefit from fruit or nut trees that provide food, and shrubs may provide additional shelter.
Protected from the wind, a small orchard, nursery, or garden may perform well inside the windbreak.
Maintenance of the windbreak will involve watering in dry periods (especially the first few years), monitoring for pests, excluding livestock and grazing deer, and limiting competing vegetation.
For more information, see information from USDA at https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/practices/windbreaks.php, or from the University of Illinois at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-06-17-picking-right-tree-your-windbreak.
Purdue establishes permanent presence next to NSWC Crane for future of national defense and semiconductors
Writer/media contact: Evamarie Socha, ecsocha@purdue.edu
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Officials of Purdue University, the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) and the Purdue Research Foundation announced a permanent presence in elevating the partnership with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), in a ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 5, at WestGate Academy in Odon, Indiana. This investment will catalyze and accelerate the existing collaborative research agreements that focus on national security and defense and on semiconductors.
Titled Purdue@Crane, this focus on hypersonics, energetic materials and trusted microelectronics at WestGate@Crane Technology Park builds on the strong Crane-Purdue partnerships in these fields and takes them to the next level, Purdue officials said. This new initiative bolsters the partnership with a permanent Boilermaker presence at the Odon, Indiana, center adjacent to NSWC Crane.
“Today marks a momentous milestone and turns a new chapter in the collaboration between Purdue and Crane,” said Purdue University President Mung Chiang. “This new strategic partnership with the most important defense presence in our state brings excellence at scale to deliver solutions for national security research. With one of the nation’s largest and highly ranked STEM programs, Purdue is excited to become a permanent neighbor and dedicated partner with NSWC Crane. As America's leading university in semiconductor workforce and innovation, we are also looking forward to the new semiconductor ecosystem at WestGate Foundry 1.”
An initial focus of this initiative — secure and reliable microelectronics — will be led by a research director, an experienced and respected leader in defense microelectronics who will expand workforce and technology development in advanced packaging, reliable and trusted microelectronics, and electronic system design.
Collaborative work with companies located in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park, beginning with NHanced Semiconductors Inc. and Everspin Technologies Inc., is anticipated. The estimated annual budget will begin at $2 million this fiscal year and is expected to grow to $40 million of collaborative research in national security by 2030, Purdue officials said.
The Purdue director and a team of researchers and staff will be located permanently outside NSWC Crane, starting at WestGate Academy. The staff will grow in number as Purdue@Crane moves forward. Plans include 3,000 square feet of space in WestGate Academy to start with, as well as a cleanroom space in WestGate Foundry 1. The cleanroom space is a forthcoming microelectronics manufacturing facility and a key component of Purdue’s semiconductors workforce, innovation and partnership strategies in the execution of the CHIPS and Science Act. The SCALE microelectronics workforce development program, which is administered by NSWC Crane, just received $19 million from the Defense Department.
Officials of NSWC Crane and Purdue joined together to make the announcement at the southern Indiana defense outpost. Among the guests were NSWC Crane Cmdr. Navy Capt. Rex Boonyobhas and U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, IN-4, who said collaborations such as this between Purdue and NSWC Crane are important.
“This kind of thing with Purdue, with the (Purdue Applied) Research Institute … all of that ties with America and the importance of protecting this country,” Baird said.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb congratulated both parties on this new endeavor, noting, “Indiana’s commitment to developing the next-level, hard-tech ecosystem is ahead of schedule because of partners like Purdue University and NSWC Crane, WestGate.
“Having this formalized strategic collaboration in place will not only assist in strengthening America’s national security but also provide the academic talent pipelines necessary for next-generation innovation. I applaud President Mung Chiang and the base leadership for formalizing this important and impactful partnership.”
U.S. Sen. Todd Young of Indiana called Purdue and NSWC Crane “two of our country’s most important assets as we strive for technological advantage.”
“Our national security depends on partnerships among higher education, the private sector and all layers of government,” Young said, “and this venture yet another example of how Indiana is leading the way.”
NHanced President Robert Patti echoed the governor’s statement. “We at NHanced are thrilled with the Purdue announcement,” he said. “Their permanent presence will accelerate our collaborations and bring new technology to market much faster.”
“As a leader in MRAM (magnetoresistive random-access memory) commercialization, research and development, and manufacturing, Everspin is excited to collaborate with Purdue University on the next generation of MRAM use cases related to artificial intelligence and high-density memory applications,” said Sanjeev Aggarwal, Everspin president and CEO.
NSWC Crane’s skilled professionals put technical solutions directly into the hands of the armed services, ensuring safer missions by leveraging the talent, knowledge and experience of its highly technical workforce.
It is this work at Crane that makes Purdue@Crane a “very natural fit” with PARI’s mission of “applying the vast research infrastructure of one of the world’s greatest universities to solving critical problems in national defense and global security,” said Mark Lewis, PARI president and CEO and a former deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.
“There is a lot of discussion in defense circles about bridging the so-called ‘valley of death’ between the laboratory and the warfighter,” Lewis said, “but that is exactly what we will be doing with this new initiative. I look forward to a future of impactful collaborations at Crane.”
“NSWC Crane’s partnership with Purdue University is stronger than ever, and the strategic investment in Purdue@Crane is a true testament that our priorities are aligned to provide critical defense solutions to solve some of the nation’s toughest technical challenges,” said Angela Lewis, NSWC Crane’s technical director. “It is an honor to collaborate with an esteemed academic institution like Purdue, and I am excited to see this investment mature, particularly in the fields of hypersonics and microelectronics development.”
Purdue’s engagement at WestGate started in 2015 to support research and development of innovations through commercialization and collaboration, said Chad Pittman, chief executive of economic development at the Purdue Research Foundation. “This announcement reflects the next phase of Purdue’s commitment to the region, to NSWC Crane, to the state and to the growth of semiconductor and microelectronics workforce that is mission critical to our nation,” he said. “This announcement is an intentional next step for Purdue’s collaboration with key partners in the national defense community.”
Attending the launch of Purdue@Crane: U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (IN-4); Angela Lewis, NSWC Crane technical director; Navy Capt. Rex Boonyobhas, NSWC Crane commander; Mung Chiang, Purdue University president; Karen Plaut, Purdue University executive vice president of research. (Purdue University/Garrett Poortinga, Green Hat Media)