Monthly Newsletter- February 2024

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Purdue Extension-Wabash County

A Word From the ANR Educator

Hello All,

The Wabash Extension Office is running on all cylinders this month. After much prep work we are doing school visits, adult programing and much more! In the Ag world I have 2 PARPs this month, one here in Wabash and another in Fulton County. For those that don't know, PARP is a certification for private land owners to apply different products on their crops. As an extension educator I can hold classes for PARP credits, but the group that is the authority in licensing for farmers is the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC). I am also hosting the 2024 Wabash Valley Landscape and Lawncare Series for those in the green industry. I've got some great speakers coming and relevant topics pertaining to local landscape and lawncare professionals, all are welcome! More information below. There is also going to be an Extension Master Gardener Training starting in March, this is a fun class where we cover many topics from soils to trees to fruit production (more information below).

If you have any questions about upcoming programming or Ag questions in general, feel free to reach out to the Extension Office.

Phone: 260-563-0661 (Ext 1408) or emailing me directly at gschortg@purdue.edu

Best Wishes,

Geoff Schortgen

County Extension Director, Ag and Natural Resources Educator Wabash Ct.

Collecting applications for 2024 Master Gardener Basic Training

Steps to get signed up

Get an application Sheet from an ANR Educator (You can contact via email, phone, or stop in the Wabash, Huntington, or Miami offices).
Return the completed application to the Wabash, Huntington or Miami County Extension Office by February 2.
After February 2nd, a CVENT link will be sent out to those who have submitted an application.
Complete the CVENT Registration.
Classes begin March 7th!
Please reach out to myself if you have question.
If you'd like to send in your information via our introduction survey click here: INTRO SURVEY

To Get More Information Email Geoff Schortgen

gschortg@purdue.edu

Coming up in February!

If you need CCHs for 2024 this is your Chance!!

To get on the waiting list for registration for the Wabash Valley Landscape and Lawncare Series list click the link below. If you have any questions email Geoff at gschortg@purdue.edu

Click here to Register

2024 Extension Hot Topics!

It's time to register for 2024's Extension Hot Topics Series!

Purdue Extension Hot Topics is a monthly webinar series that hits on a timely subject with an expert. These are free, live and virtual discussions on the latest research and best practices. The sessions are interactive so bring your questions and love for lifelong learning!

Register once to be signed up for each monthly program. If you can make it on, great! If you can’t make a month, no problem. (If you've already registered, no need to do it again.)

Can't make it on live? That's okay. We record every session and post here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx1L2c89r3d3P7LspotyPzg

#PurdueHotTopics #PurdueExtension

This is a great way for our county community members to get a better look at the networking that Purdue Extension does around the state to help provide researched backed resources to our communities. Also, if you are an Purdue Extension Master Gardener this is an easy way to get 1 education hour a month.

Join us February 21st to listen to Austin Pearson. He is a climatologist from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center. He will be discussing our Indiana Weather.

List of Past 2024 Hot Topics with YouTube Link

January- Ants of Indiana
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpmgHEnepFY&t=1s
January *Bonus-Backyard Gardening and Landscaping for Birds
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbsg98RmdKA

List of Past 2023 Hot Topics with YouTube Link

January- Organics and Composting
- https://youtu.be/2JAplW-fQdQ?si=XKYZ6kSn1g2fLR7w
February-Garden Planning
- https://youtu.be/trX0W0VUWa4?si=xtyyXs0CyANXZAVB
March-Plant Pest and Diagnostic Lab
- https://youtu.be/-JLl6GoaCy8?si=g1KiWw0aIuYC63T4
April- Turfgrass and Weed Control
- https://youtu.be/-JLl6GoaCy8?si=g1KiWw0aIuYC63T4
- https://youtu.be/R2b6NHcEAxI?si=jH6VVefuyx6hv5dS
May- Soils
- https://youtu.be/SbMaJbUZhYc?si=kuBkcP1do2j-Cdsp
June-Farm Outlook
- https://youtu.be/pYYcEqaayEc?si=IEAGY8dvqu7cBG6C
July- Hemp Production
- https://youtu.be/9vh_cDMZv1g?si=mkhjX68tWnW9nnqa
August-Tomato Disease
- https://youtu.be/MouYzEkh8cU?si=x0CzKClOgA7N2oKI
September- Poison Hemlock and Other Invasives
- https://youtu.be/Wj3vQgOfxOc?si=YyEKVyEHxoLqad64
October-Landscape Pests
- https://youtu.be/hffY0FwMEn8?si=-TjZKMan_cNDyre1
November- Grapes
- https://youtu.be/kNRJ3OPkxvs?si=G6jzlKRTno9m6uGJ
December- Spotted Lantern Fly
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU-l9FBl8To&t=18s

Click Here to Register

January Review

New Partnerships with Extension

One of the best parts of my job is reaching new audiences and working with new community partners. Recently we've been fortunate to partner with the Troyer Memorial Library in LaFontaine for some new programing. In January, I was able to hold an Indoor Plant Workshop. We had the library full of folks who were very engaging and fun to work with. In the spring I plan to help with gardening and plant care as well.

Chilly Times

Our office is on the second floor of the Wabash County Courthouse, with gusty winds and sub-zero temperatures the heat in our office couldn't keep up. I used my Kestrel weather unit to take the temperature in my office.

Fort Wayne Farm Show

Each year I go to the Fort Wayne Farm Show to work at the Purdue Extension Booth. It is a fun way to interact with a large crowd. Wabash had a bunch of representation there with thier ag businesses.

Indoor Plant Workshop

The indoor plant shop that I held at the Troyer Memorial Library had a classroom session (shown here) and a hands on session.

Indoor Plant Workshop

Hands on portion of the indoor plant workshop. Everyone got to take a few plant starts home!

Extension Hot Topics

In January we covered Ants of Indiana

County Extension Directors Meeting

January is a month for meetings. The County Extension Directors all met in Boone County for our annual update.

Fulton PARP

I've been busy covering PARP classes for other counties with ANR Educator vacancies. Fulton County PARP was well attended.

Turf Talks

The turf talks at the Indiana Green Expo are a great learning experience and fun to listen to.

Indiana Green Expo

I got to spend a few days in Indianapolis to help with the Indiana Green Expo. I help with on-site logistics and moderating rooms. I really enjoy working with this group!