Happy November Everyone,

The harvest is upon us! Farmers have been working tirelessly as we head into the 11th month to get in their crops. October threw a few surprises our way with sporadic rain conditions, wet corn and white mold on soybeans. Everyone stay safe out there and best luck completing the harvest. The yields have been all over the board this autumn, but I am glad to hear that most farmers are happy with their numbers and hope that the bu./acre averages hold fast. 

Because farmers are busy in the field, harvest time is the best time for an Ag and Natural Resource Educator to start planning for the upcoming months and programs. I have library programing at both the North Manchester Public Library and Troyer Memorial Public Library this winter for both youth and adults. There will also be a Spring 2024 Extension Master Gardener Basic Training (more info below) and a Forest Management for Private Woodland Owner workshop (more info below). 

November and December are also full of area and state conferences for professional development and ANR Trainings. I'll do my best to return messages and emails as I travel around the state.

As always, If you have any questions feel free to reach out to the Extension Office and leave your name, phone number and e-mail address. 

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

See other events below and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

Best Wishes, 

Geoff Schortgen 

County Extension Director,  Ag and Natural Resources Educator 

Part of being an Extension Educator means learning new skills. One area that I am woefully lacking knowledge in is UAVs (drones). In recent years drone technology and utilization has been increasing in the Ag world, to the point where it is hard not to see all the potentially useful applications.  I have a drone in my office that I've been weary to fly, but on one of the last nice days of the fall the Precision Ag Class out of Heartland Career Center invited me out to do some test flights. The students set up the drone in under 10 minutes and we had if flying and taking pictures in no time. They make great teachers!!