Bringing it to the Table

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The STAr PreSS & The PAllAdium-iTem

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

TABLEBringing

it to the

The annual Fall harvest special section, which publishes in both The Star Press in muncie and The Palladium-item in richmond, spotlights area farmers

as well as industry news and a special calendar of fall events!

Bringing it to the Tablepage 2 • Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 the Star preSS & the palladium-item

Hoosier Homestead: The Russells. Page 4Meet Michael O’Donnell. Page 8

Farmers consider irrigation. Page 12ECI yields should fare better than others. Page 15Drought effects area trees, may for years. Page 17

Protecting against the emerald ash borer. Page 19Farm Scene: Images from ECI. Page 20

The STAr PreSS & The PAllAdium-iTem

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012

Bringing it to the table

Bringing it to the Table Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 • page 3the Star preSS & the palladium-item


By Ken Wickliffe

Having over 70 years of experience working the land in and around Muncie has given Delaware County farmer James Russell a somewhat different view of his community than oth-

ers who might never think of McGalliard Road as anything other than a busy thoroughfare that runs past restaurants, car dealerships and shopping centers.

When Russell drives around Muncie’s north side, he can remember farming the ground that’s now under such familiar local landmarks as the Northwest Plaza, Northside Middle School and Halteman Villas Condominiums.

Last month James Russell turned 88 years old, but the recent cel-ebration at his farm just north of Muncie turned out to be more than a birthday party, as his farm had just been designated as a Hoosier Homestead in a ceremony held 10 days before his birthday at the Indiana State Fair. The honor recognizes the Russell farm, which is just west of Wheeling Pike on Delaware County Road 400 North, for 100 years of continuous operation as a family farm. Currently a grain operation, the farm has been in its current location for the past 65 years, and it included chickens and a dairy until 1966.

Russell is not a critic of urban growth or development, and his own farm has remained intact despite the outward growth of Muncie. He does, however, find it interesting to note the changes that have brought brick, mortar and concrete to some of the land he used to work.

“We combined 40 acres of wheat where Northwest Plaza now is,” he said, adding that the road on which his farm is located was long ago upgraded from gravel and now carries agricultural traffic as well as a large number of commuters who travel to and from Muncie and nearby subdivisions.

James and his wife, Esther, both graduated from Royerton High School – he in 1942 and she 1944 – which was consolidated with DeSoto and Eaton High Schools in 1967 to form Delta High School. It was at Royerton, in fact, where James and Esther met.

Before graduating from high school, James had already assumed a leadership role in his family’s farm, as his father had died of rheu-matic fever in 1938, when James was only 14.

“I had already been driving tractors and doing other farm work, but I had no idea I’d be taking on so much responsibility that young,” James recalled.

Not until 65 years after that, when he was 79, did James Russell begin to take a less active role in the operation of his farm. While he spends less time on a tractor than he used to, Russell is still an antique tractor hobbyist, and he has held on to a few of the favorite

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James and Esther Russell.Photos by Ken wicKliffe

100 yearsand counting for the Russell family farm



farm implements he has used over the years.On their farm, James and Esther raised four daughters

– Barbara (Rector), Loretta (Weeks), Marilyn (Bell) and Cynthia (Goral). Jim and Esther’s niece, Lisa (Cart) also grew up on the farm.

State Fair Ceremony At the State Fair ceremony on August 8, the Russell farm was

one of 75 Indiana farms, representing 48 of the state’s 92 counties, honored for having attained 100, 150 or 200 years of continuous operation and family ownership, according to the official program of the award ceremony.

Farms receiving honors were recognized by Joseph M. Kelsay, Indiana agriculture director, and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca S. Skillman, secretary of agriculture and rural devel-opment.

According to a news release issued by Purdue University, liv-ing on a family farm is an experience that few have, and which is becoming less common as family farms are replaced by larger operations.

“Growing up on a family farm is something that very few ever get to experience,” the Purdue news release said.

“It is a treasured part of an individual’s life that provides them with a sense of pride and accomplishment as they help out on the farm that was once owned by a relative they may or may not have

met. However, as the economy and landscape has changed, the number of true family farms has decreased.”

Other Area Farms HonoredOther farms in East Central Indiana that received awards at

the August 8 Indiana State Fair ceremony: • Fayette County: The Squires farm, founded in 1861, received

a Sesquicentennial Award.• Henry County: Two Marlatt family farms, one founded in 1891

and the other in 1899, received Centennial Awards.• Jay County: The Milligan farm, founded in 1911, received a

Centennial Award.• Randolph County: The Austin/Anderson farm, founded in

1910, and the Georgi farm, founded in 1878, received Centennial Awards.

• Rush County: The Gordon farm, founded in 1838, received a Sesquicentennial Award.

• Tipton County: The Campbell farm, founded in 1850, received a Sesquicentennial Award. The Idlewine farm, founded in 1911, and the Kirkpatrick-McKinney farm, founded in 1912, received Centennial Awards.

• Union County: The Abernathy-Pinkerton farm, founded in 1912, received a Centennial Award.

• Wayne County: The Hartman, Faucett, and Matney farms, all founded in 1912, received Centennial Awards.

“Growing up on a family farm is something that very few ever get to experience. It is a treasured part of an

individual’s life that provides them with a sense of pride

and accomplishment as they help out on the farm that was once owned by a

relative they may or may not have met. However, as the

economy and landscape has changed, the number of true family farms has decreased.”

The Russell family.

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Bringing it to the Table Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 • page 7 the Star preSS & the palladium-item

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& learningteaching

By Ken Wickliffe

Assisting farmers as they develop and expand their participa-tion in a growing number of direct marketing opportunities is one priority Michael O’Donnell has identified since joining

Purdue University as Delaware County’s extension educator. Now a farmer himself, O’Donnell and his wife, Sara, live on the

Reed family farm in Daleville where his wife grew up. The farm has been their home since they moved to the area earlier this year.

Increased public interest in knowing the origin of food is opening up a variety of new marketing opportunities for farmers, O’Donnell believes.

“Direct marketing to the public is something we see expanding in East Central Indiana and in many other areas of the country,” he said. “It’s relevant to people who operate small farms – such as the small chicken and vegetable farm that Sara and I operate – but larg-er farmers are also using direct marketing as a sidestream source of income that complements what they’re already doing.”

Examples of farmers marketing directly to the public include farmers’ markets and the growing number of farms that produce and sell meat directly to consumers in their local areas, he said. Enhanced interest in organic and locally-raised foods is part of a larger trend toward sustainable agriculture, O’Donnell explained. This fall, Purdue will sponsor its first small farms conference, which will focus on farm management, production and marketing techniques for smaller-scale operations.

O’Donnell’s path to his current career includes varied experi-ences that have brought him progressively closer to the field of agriculture over the past several years. A native of West Lafayette, Ind., he graduated from Purdue with a degree in mechanical engi-neering and then took a job with Cummins, the Columbus, Ind.-based maker of diesel engines.

continued on page 10

Delaware County’s new extension educator is educating himself about the local area


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Michael O’Donnell

(left) the new

agriculture and natural

resources extension

educator for Delaware

County, talks with Dan Rhum

at Rhum Farm in

Muncie in May.

Photo by Kurt hostetler / The

Star Press

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“At Cummins I did some research related to alternative fuels – specifically biodiesel - in 2006 and 2007, when biodiesel was in a period of intense growth,” he said.

While the production of biodiesel has relevance to farmers, O’Donnell’s interest in the fuel at that time related more to its performance in engines them-selves and to the development of engine warranties that would allow higher levels of biodiesel to be used in Cummins engines.

After leaving Cummins, O’Donnell pursued a grad-uate degree at the Austin campus of the University of Texas, where he continued his work with alterna-tive fuels, researching issues such as federal renew-able fuel mandates and conducting technical and policy analyses.

“That’s really where I started getting interested in agriculture, because I had to look at the produc-tion side,” O’Donnell said. “I had to start educating myself on production agriculture and alternative models of agriculture. The more I learned, the more passionate I got about agriculture.”

In fact, he began working at a small farm in Texas as he finished his thesis. Upon completion of his the-

sis, O’Donnell moved to Montgomery County, Indiana to work at a farm that processes its own animals in a state-inspected facility, staying there for two years before he and Sara moved to Delaware County.

Since starting as extension educator here in May, O’Donnell has felt a strong need to learn about the unique needs of the local area.

“One of my goals right now is to learn about dif-ferent services Purdue offers and to match those services with the needs and interests of people here in Delaware County,” he said. “I’ve only been in the position a little over three months, and it takes some time to get to know the community. “

Since one of the driest periods in Indiana weather history arrived shortly after O’Donnell took over as extension educator, many of his initial concerns have related to the drought.

“The rains we received late this summer helped substantially with the soybean crop – soybeans can sit in a holding pattern during a dry period – but yields will still be a little short,” he said, adding that the picture for corn is bleaker.

“For corn it is critical to get moisture during polli-nation, and we didn’t have any,” O’Donnell said. “For

corn, the rain we received later in the summer was too much, too late.”

As well as working with farmers, O’Donnell takes many calls from homeowners seeking assistance with trees and other plants in their yards.

“We respond to many questions regarding veg-etable gardens, flower gardens, turf and trees,” he said. “Providing homeowners with education of this type is an important aspect of what we do, and I would like to develop a program specifically for that because we have a lot of people who have a strong interest in expanding their knowledge.”

As part of his job, O’Donnell also sits on the county planning commission in an advisory capacity. While some extension educators in other localities vote on issues before their local planning commis-sions, this is one responsibility O’Donnell is glad he does not have.

“I don’t envy my counterparts who have voting roles on their local planning commissions,” he said. “If you put yourself on one side of a contentious issue, it could run counter to what you’re trying to accomplish in educating and informing the public and members of the agricultural community.”


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“Irrigation always pays off (in the Kirlin field) because of the soil

type. We’ve been pricing systems. There are a number of decisions to be made before installing an

irrigation system. The depth of the well, the type of power generator

to run the irrigation system and the size of the area to be irrigated are all factors. We couldn’t afford

(irrigation) for all of our fields.”— dArren doerSTler, wAyne counTy FArmer


By Pam Tharp

Irrigating cropland has mostly been a southern Indiana practice, but the summer of 2012 may change that.

Interest in irrigation in central and northern Indiana is increasing, after a growing season plagued by extraordinary heat and drought.

Wayne County farmer Darren Doerstler is looking at adding irrigation equipment on some land he and his extended family farm.

Doerstler got his feet wet in irrigation eight years ago, when he rented a farm with an irrigation system already in place.

Land owner Charlie Kirlin bought the center pivot irrigation system in 1989 for his Kirlin Road farm following the 1988 drought, said Dick Best, executive director of the Wayne County Farm Service Agency.

Doerstler said he’s used the irrigation system in the 94-acre field every year he’s farmed it, but this year’s use tops all others.

During one period in July, when temperatures routinely were above 100 degrees, the center pivot irrigation system ran for six consecutive days, 24 hours a day, Doerstler said. The system relies on well water from a deep well, he said.

“In July it ran more days than not,” Doerstler said. “It probably ran two-thirds of the days. We were trying to cool the crop as much as water it. The heat was hurting it as much as anything. We started watering before tassel-ing began through the grain fill stage.”

Indiana farmers are looking at irrigation in numbers not seen before, said Carlisle Valley Irrigation owner Dick Knotts.

Located between Terre Haute and Vincennes, Knotts said he’s recently sold new irrigation equipment to farmers as far north as Anderson.

“There’s very high demand for irrigation systems this year. We sold sys-tems in July for next year,” Knotts said. “Our sales were 30 percent higher over the summer. We were pretty busy.”

Cost for a center pivot system ranges from $800 to $2,000 an acre, with irrigation equipment sized for 160-acre field the most common size, Knotts said. A system to serve 160 acres would cost about $125,000 for the equip-ment, he said.

A well at least 60 feet deep also would be needed, with wells costing about $130 a foot to drill, Knott said. A power supply for the well pump and for the irrigation system are also required, he said.

Indiana farmers have long said watering a crop doesn’t provide the same benefit as a real rain and Doerstler agrees.

“It’s somewhat true. Irrigation isn’t a direct substitute. An inch of irriga-tion is not the same as an inch of rain,” Doerstler said.

Even so, irrigation made a huge difference in his corn field’s production, Doerstler said. He’s already harvested the portion of the field that’s outside the irrigation system.

“There’s a big difference in yield. We’re 120 to 150 bushels better where the irrigation was,” Doerstler said.

Knotts is also a farmer and by mid-September he’d already harvested some of his irrigated corn.

“It’s the difference this year between 200 bushels (an acre) with irrigation and 20 bushels without irrigation,” Knotts said. “It’s extremely cost-effec-tive.”

The aquifer that underlies the Wabash River is large, which reduces con-cerns about tapping underground water sources for irrigation in his southern Indiana neighborhood, Knotts said. That may not be the case in all parts of the state, he said, so extensive irrigation could create concerns for neigh-bors’ water supplies.

Doerstler, his father, brother and uncle farm about 3,800 acres and they’re now looking at adding irrigation equipment in a few fields with sandy soils that would most benefit from extra water.

“Irrigation always pays off (in the Kirlin field) because of the soil type,” Doerstler said. “ We’ve been pricing systems. There are a number of deci-sions to be made before installing an irrigation system. The depth of the well, the type of power generator to run the irrigation system and the size of the area to be irrigated are all factors. We couldn’t afford (irrigation) for all of our fields.”

According to the USDA’s 2007 Census of Agriculture, the most recent one, about 10 percent Indiana’s 8.1 million acres of farmland are irrigated. Irrigation is much more widespread in the western U.S., with Nebraska, California, Texas, Arkansas and Idaho the top five states for irrigation, according to the USDA.

Knotts doesn’t think the extreme weather of 2012 is a harbinger of things to come for Indiana agriculture. Doerstler said irrigation may be an impor-tant tool for farmers in the future. With September grain prices $7 to $8 a bushel for corn and $17 a bushel for soybeans, extra bushels per acre are valuable.

“With the ever-changing weather patterns we’ve been having and the high-er grain prices, there’s a return on investment,” Doerstler said of irrigation. “There’s a lot quicker payout now for an irrigation system.”

Typically only common in southern indiana, this summer’s drought prompts many to consider adding watering systems

irrigationAdding


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By Ken Wickliffe

Farmers in many areas, including East Central Indiana, will see reduced yields this year, but farmers here may be better off than their counterparts in some other areas of the Midwest, according to Chad Stroble, senior sales and mer-

chandising manager for The Andersons in eastern Indiana and western Ohio.The Andersons owns and operates grain and ethanol facilities in Indiana, Ohio,

Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. The company has a total grain storage capacity of 130 million bushels and offers competitive markets for farmers and provides the agricultural community with comprehensive risk management for their operations. In this area, the company operates grain elevators in Oakville and Dunkirk, Ind., and an ethanol facility in Greenville, Ohio.

Stroble’s analysis indicates that the yield this year will vary considerably by crop.

“The corn and bean plantings in the Dunkirk and Oakville draw territories

got off to a great start,” he said. “Most of the crop was planted in April and the stands were good for the most part. It looked like we were going to have a record crop.”

But then the rain stopped and the picture changed, Stroble said.“June and July were not kind to corn and beans, with very limited rainfall and

record hot daytime temperatures,” he explained. “Typically we would expect an average corn yield around 160 to 170 bushels; this year we will see yields closer to 90 to 100 bushels per acre in corn.

“Bean yields in East Central Indiana are looking to be a different story,” Stroble said. “We had almost record August rainfall and moderate temperatures, which could lead to near normal bean yields. Typically, bean yields in this area average 45 to 50 bushels per acre.”

“On the bright side, yields in East Central Indiana should be better on average than many parts of Indiana and Illinois,” he added.

continued on page 16

one analysis suggests that it will vary widely by crop and eci will fare better than in other areas of the midwestYIELD

Chad Stroble is the senior sales and merchandising manager for The Andersons.Photos by Kyle evens

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While rainfall, especially from Hurricane Isaac, has to a degree alleviated the drought in Indiana, the period of dry weather still isn’t over, according to a Purdue University-based climatologist.

“Isaac moved northward so slowly. By the time it reached Indiana it had weakened considerably and didn’t give us the extreme rainfall that was origi-nally forecast, but it did us some good,” said Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist at Purdue University, in a news release. “We’ve definitely seen a more consistent rainfall pattern in recent weeks. You can tell that just by looking at your lawn. Lawn mow-ers have been busy.”

While forecasters had called for some parts of the state to receive five inches or more of rain over Labor Day weekend, actual totals ranged from about two to two and one-half inches over most of the state, and four to four-and-one-half inches in the southwest-ern part of Indiana, Scheeringa said.

According to the National Climatic Data Center, most of Indiana remains under a severe or moder-ate drought, with the driest conditions found roughly in the southern two-thirds of the state. Only in the extreme northwest corner of Indiana does the drought monitor describe conditions as “abnormally dry” rather than in some degree of drought.

“Isaac moved northward so slowly. By the time it reached

Indiana it had weakened considerably and didn’t give us the extreme rainfall that was

originally forecast, but it did us some good.”

— Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist at Purdue university

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By Ken Wickliffe

While farmers are now feeling the effects of this past summer’s drought in the form of lower yields, some other consequences of the hot, dry weather – particularly on trees – may continue to show up for years to come, according to Michael O’Donnell, extension educator at Delaware County’s Purdue University Extension.

“The drought has been a huge problem for trees,” he said. “Going into next year, homeown-ers and others in our area may see some losses. Evergreens and conifers, in particular, tend to stay green for a while, but we may find later that some of these trees have died.”

Part of the problem, O’Donnell explained, is that reduced rainfall levels have actually been an ongoing problem in East Central Indiana for the past few years.

“To see the potential effects on trees, you really need to look at moisture levels for the past three years, and it’s been three years of drought as it pertains to trees,” he said.

And, because all 92 counties in Indiana have experienced some degree of drought conditions this past summer, the overall effect on trees in the state could be severe, according to Lindsay Purcell, an urban forestry specialist at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Moreover, he said, unseasonably warm weather early this past spring has put trees under additional stress by interfering with the normal process of bud formation.

“Drought not only influences the number of leaves but also the size, as well as twig exten-sion the following year when those buds expand,” Purcell said in a Purdue news release.

“The result of prolonged dry conditions may not inhibit the first growth but may decrease the number of stem units formed in the new bud that will expand during the second or third, or more, flushes of growth,” he said. “If drought continues, all growth flushes will be affected. Thus, tree growth next year will be atypical and, again, create predisposed conditions to dis-eases and insects if not monitored and managed properly.”

Watering trees of any size and age can help prevent or minimize damage, Purcell said, but this is especially true for newly-planted or otherwise less-established trees.

He advised homeowners to follow a “5 plus 5” rule when watering a smaller tree: Each week, supply five gallons of water, plus an additional five gallons for each inch of the tree trunk’s diameter. For example, Purcell said, a tree with a four-inch trunk diameter should be provided with 25 gallons of water each week, with this water delivered slowly over the tree’s root zone.

For larger and better-established trees, Purcell suggested providing an inch of water every week. To measure, he said, homeowners can place an empty tuna or cat food can under the tree’s canopy and turn on a sprinkler until the water depth in the can reaches one inch.

“For those trees with mulch beds, you should consider adding a half gallon of water per square foot of mulch area,” Purcell said.

Additional steps that can reduce stress on trees during times of drought include pro-tecting tree trunks from damage, as can be inflicted by lawnmowers and weed trimmers. Homeowners can also add two inches of mulch to the tree’s root zone to help preserve soil moisture, Purcell said, and scale back or eliminate other plantings near trees to reduce compe-tition for moisture.

Delaware County homeowners who have questions or concerns about specific trees can con-tact Michael O’Donnell at Delaware County’s Purdue University Extension, (765) 747-7732.

Drought not only influences the number of leaves but

also the size, as well as twig extension the following year

when those buds expand.”— lindSey Purcell,

Purdue univerSiTy urBAn ForeSTry SPeciAliST

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harm to area trees could continue to

show up for years to come

DROugHTEffectsof the


“Camping is a wonderful tradition with many families. Often, it makes the memories that last a lifetime. We need to ensure that future generations enjoy these excursions by helping to stop the

spread of destructive forest pests such as the emerald ash borer. The bottom line is, don’t move firewood when you travel; however, if you must, only purchase certified treated and labeled firewood.”

— Sharon lucik of the uSdA Animal and Plant health inspection Service

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By Ken Wickliffe

It looks harmless and its body is only about as long as the head of a penny, but the emerald ash borer has become one of the most destructive crea-tures in America, killing tens of millions of ash trees so far and threatening most or all of the eight billion ash trees throughout North America, accord-

ing to Indiana and federal environmental authorities.Indiana is one of the states with confirmed emerald ash borer activity. To

help people save their ash trees from certain destruction by this beetle, Purdue University will sponsor a workshop titled, “Emerald Ash Borer Management for Homeowners and Neighborhood Associations” on Tuesday, October 30, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Garden House at Matter Park in Marion, Ind.

Presenting information at the workshop will be Dr. Cliff Sadof, a Purdue entomologist, and Annemarie Nagle, forest pest outreach coordinator, who will assist participants in identifying this beetle, assessing the level of risk to the trees on their property, and evaluating options for protecting trees.

Don’t Move FirewoodAccording to the United States Department of Agriculture, the moving of

firewood from areas affected by the emerald ash borer to unaffected areas is one of the main ways the beetle has been able to spread across 16 states in the Midwest and the Northeast.

People who carry firewood from one area to another to use while camping have unintentionally spread the emerald ash borer, the USDA says. Rather than bringing firewood from home, the USDA urges people to purchase firewood in the area where they will camp and burn it there without moving it from one area to another.

“Camping is a wonderful tradition with many families. Often, it makes the memories that last a lifetime,” said Sharon Lucik of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in a press release. “We need to ensure future generations enjoy these excursions by helping to stop the spread of destructive forest pests such as the emerald ash borer.

“The bottom line is, don’t move firewood when you travel; however, if you must, only purchase certified treated and labeled firewood,” she added.

The emerald ash borer was identified in Indiana in 2004 – just two years after its first United States sighting, which occurred in Michigan. Environmental authorities believe the insect or larvae may have originally

been brought to the United States from Asia in wood packing materials.Not moving firewood from place to place is one of the best ways to stop the

spread of this destructive pest, the USDA says, because the adult beetles do not fly far on their own, usually traveling less than one-half mile from their origins.

“It’s the larva that does all the harm to ash trees,” the USDA said in a news release. “Larvae tunnel under the bark and disrupt the tree’s systems that transport food and water, eventually starving and killing it.”

Along with firewood, nursery stock and mulch can harbor beetle larvae and should not be moved from affected to unaffected areas, the agency said.

Stingless WaspsIn addition to taking steps to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer,

the USDA is releasing “stingless wasps” that are a natural enemy of the beetle.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with the Forest Service and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to raise and harvest these stingless wasps for monitored releases in selected EAB infested locations,” the USDA said. “Specifically, they are using three parasitoid species of wasps from China called Spathius agrili, Tetrastichus planipennisi and Oobius agrili.

“Last year, wasps were released in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and West Virginia. Additional controlled releases are planned.”

Louisville SluggerIf the emerald ash borer isn’t stopped, one casualty could be the famous

Louisville Slugger baseball bat, the USDA says. The Louisville Slugger and other professional-grade bats are made from northern white ash – one of the trees being destroyed by the beetle.

More InformationFor more information on the emerald ash borer workshop, contact the

Purdue Extension – Grant County at (765) 651-2413. Additional information on protecting trees from the emerald ash borer beetle is available on a Purdue website: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/

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reminders for how to protect against the emerald ash borerDESTRuCTION

fromSave your trees


imAgeS From Around eAST cenTrAl indiAnA

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Farm Scene


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ToP righT: larry and Barbara wiles of Pendleton, ind., and their grandson hayden, age 4, are shown with a 1958 John deere 520 tractor that the family

owns. They displayed the tractor at the “FarmTastic” festival at hoosier Park racing and casino earlier

this month. ToP leFT: rodney white of middletown, ind., and caleb Jordan, age 8, are shown on rodney’s 1948 Allis-chalmers model g, a compact tractor that

was introduced after world war ii in anticipation of veterans coming back home and starting small farms,

according to the tractor’s owner. ABove: retired farmer don white of middletown, ind., sits on his

oliver 66, an antique tractor that he has used on his farm. “i always farmed with antique tractors,” he said.

leFT: one of the oldest tractors on display at FarmTastic: a 1928 rumely. ABove: A 1938 mccormick-deering tractor is

displayed at the hoosier Park FarmTastic festival.


At its recent “FarmTastic” festival, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson presented $5,000 to the two Future Farmers of America chapters that are part of the Frankton-Lapel Community

Schools in East Central Indiana.Stacy Wainscott, faculty adviser of the FFA chap-

ters, accepted the check from Brian Elmore, Hoosier Park’s vice-president and general manager of racing. The money will be used to purchase educational sup-plies and to enable students in the FFA organizations at Frankton High School and Lapel High School to attend conventions and competitions, she said.

“Especially in this economy, donations are extremely helpful to us and they directly benefit our students,” she said.

Several FFA members participated in the award

ceremony at the track’s winner’s circle: Natalie Griner, a Lapel High School senior; Sarah Hardin, a Frankton High School senior; Brendon Hardwick, a senior at Lapel; Emma Huffman, a Lapel junior; Joel Murray, a Frankton senior; Shelby West, a Frankton senior, and Lauren Wittkamper, a Frankton senior.

Elmore cited the connection between farming and horse racing and noted the positive impacts that FFA organizations have on students’ lives.

“Racing is an agri-business, and we’re happy to sup-port the FFA, as it’s an organization that trains young people to be leaders in this field,” he said.

In a news release, Hoosier Park said the donation is one way that the facility recognizes its connection to Indiana’s agricultural community and gives money back to its community.

“Hoosier Park Racing & Casino maintains a commit-ment to enhance and promote the sport of horse racing. That commitment includes, but is not limited to, the overall horse racing industry, the breed development program, and also Indiana agriculture,” the release said. “As a token of Hoosier Park’s appreciation for the local FFA chapters’ continued work to further Indiana agri-culture, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will be making a donation to help further their goals and maintain their high level of success throughout the community.”

Other events that were part of the “FarmTastic” family celebration at Hoosier Park included an antique tractor show, a barbecue, pedal tractor games for kids, face painting, apple bobbing, a sack race and an antique tractor parade and competition.

— Ken Wickliffe

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Students and the faculty adviser from the Frankton high School and lapel high School chapters of the Future Farmers Association receive a $5,000 check from hoosier Park racing and casino at the recent “FarmTastic” festival at the racetrack. Students pictured are (left to right) Sarah hardin, senior at Frankton; lauren wittkamper, senior at Frankton; Joel murray, senior at Frankton; natalie griner, senior at lapel; Brendon hardwick, senior at lapel; emma huffman, junior at lapel; Shelby west, senior at Frankton. To the students’ right is the FFA adviser for Frankton-lapel Schools, Stacy wainscott. The check was presented by rachel mclaughlin, television commentator at the facility, and Brian elmore, hoosier Park’s vice-president and general manager of racing.

hoosier Park racing and casino presented $5,000 to area FFA chaptersfuture farmersSuPPORTINg


FARMER’S MARKETSBinford Farmers Market• 62nd st. and binford blvd.,indianapolis• open-air/seasonal from May-october; saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.• information: (317) 439-4270 or binfordfarmersMarket.com

Bloomingfoods Farmers Market• bloomingfoods Market and Deli parking lot, 3220 e. third st., bloomington• open-air/seasonal from May-october;saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon and wednesdays 5-7 p.m.• information: (812) 336-5400

Bloomington Community Farmers Market• 401 n. Morton st., bloomington• April-november; saturdays, 8 a.m.-1p.m.• information: bloomington.in.gov/farmers market

Broad Ripple Farmers Market• 1115 broad Ripple Ave. (behind broad Ripple high school), indianapolis, • open-air/seasonal from May to the weekend before thanksgiving; saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon• information: (317) 254-9939 or broadRipplefarmersmarket.org

Connersville/Fayette Community Farmers Market• K-Mart parking lot, connersville• open-air/seasonal from June-october; saturdays, 7-11 a.m.• information: (765) 825-7809

Farmers Market at Minnetrista• 311 w. Joseph st., Muncieopen-air/seasonal from May-october; wednesdays, 3:30-6 p.m.; saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon• information: (765) 287-3549 or Minnetrista.net/events/farmers-market

Harvest Market at the Fairgrounds• hancock county fairgrounds, 620 n. Apple st., Greenfield• open-air/seasonal from May-october; wednesdays, 8 a.m.-noon; saturday, 8 a.m.-noon• information: (765) 763-0246 or farmersMarketonline.com/fm/harvestMarketatthefairgrounds

Henry County Farmers Market• 100 south Main st., new castle • open-air/seasonal from June-october; saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon• information: hancockharvestcouncil.com

Pendleton Farmers Market• falls park (next to community building), Pendleton • open-air/seasonal from May-october; saturdays, 8-11 a.m.• information: (765) 623-8813

Portland Farmers Market II• water and ship streets, Portland • open-air/seasonal from May-December; fridays, 1-7 p.m.• information: (219) 726-4707

Richmond Farmers Market• north 7th and north A streets (library parking lot), Richmond • open-air/seasonal from May-october; tuesdays, 3-6 p.m.; saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon• information: (765) 373-9065 or RichmondinfarmersMarket.com

The Original Farmers Market at the Indianapolis City Market• 222 east Market st., indianapolis • open-air/seasonal from May-october 31; wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.• information: (317) 634-9266 or indycm.com

festivalsFall

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The Original Farmers Market• Parking lot of UAw local 662,109 bypass, Anderson • open-air/seasonal from July-september; saturdays, 6-11 a.m.• information: (765) 649-2100; fax: (765) 644-7267

South Side Farmers Market• 3300 warsaw st., fort wayne • easter to mid-December; saturdays, 7 a.m.-1p.m.• information: (260) 456-1228 or southside farmersMarket.com

Yorktown Farmers Market• Morrow’s Meadow Park, yorktown • open-air/seasonal from late April-october; fridays, 4-7 p.m.• information: (765) 744-6825

FESTIVALS & PUMPKIN PATCHES

1 Fun Farm• where: 8291 w. ind. 1, farmland • what: corn maze, haunted corn maze, trail of thrills, Kiddie corral featuring pumpkin tetherball and cornball, hoppin’ hooves Play Area, pumpkin patch, pig races.• when: september 22- october28; Monday, tuesday and wednesday, closed; thursday, 5-9 p.m.; friday, 5-11 p.m.; saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; sunday, 1-9 p.m.• information: (765) 468-4300 or 1funfarm.com

Armand’s Harper Valley Farms and Pumpkin Patch• where: 13094 s. county Road 600 west, westport • what: Pumpkin patch, farm fresh produce, fall mums, no-growth hormone-added fresh frozen pork and beef, eggs.• when: september 282-october 14• information: (812) 591-3416 or harpervalleyfarms.com

Autumn in the Country• where: Garrett feed Mill 0955 cR 56, Garrett• what: Pumpkins, u-pick or gathered, corn maze, kiddie corn maze, child-sized straw maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, concessions, picnic area and farm animals.• when: october 2-31, saturday-sunday, noon-6 p.m.• information: (260) 357-4778

Cook’s Orchard• where: 8724 huguenard Road, fort wayne • what: Apples, pumpkins for sale in the shop or farm stand, honey from hives onfarm and pie pumpkins.• when: Monday-sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.• information: (260) 489-3940 or cooksorchard.com

Hilger Family Farm• where: 5534 butt Road, fort wayne what: Uses natural growing practices, pumpkins for sale in the shop or farm stand,

pumpkin patch u-pick or already picked, kiddie corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized hay balemaze, pie pumpkins, tractor-pulled hayrides, wagon rides and farm animals.• when: Monday-wednesday, 4-7 p.m., thursday-saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., sunday, noon-6 p.m. september 28-october 31.• information: (260) 625-3467

Fall Foilage Flyer• where: whitewater valley Railroad455 Market st., connersville • when: every thursday and friday during october, depart at 10 a.m. • what: A round trip from the connersville Grand central station to historic Metamora, two-hour layover in Metamora for shopping, dining and sightseeing.• information: (765) 825-2054 or whitewatervalleyrr.org/main.php

Family Fun Festival• where: south side church of the nazarene, 3500 w. fuson Road, Muncie• when: saturday, oct. 6, 4-8 p.m.• what: community families are invited to come enjoy a hog roast, car show, cake walk, hayride, inflatables, carnival games and craft show. free admission.• information: (765) 284-9320

Pumpkinliner• where: whitewater valley Railroad455 Market st., connersville • what: A round trip from the connersville Grand central station to the pumpkin patch, including a hay ride to and from the patch, and a pumpkin for each child 12 and younger.• when: oct. 27-28, depart at 10:01 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.• information: (765) 825-2054 or whitewatervalleyrr.org/main.php

Steele Farms• where: 5525 w. 300 n., Decatur • what: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, farm animals, barrel train rides, hay rides, straw mountain and market.• when: sept. 28-oct. 28, fridays 4-9 p.m., saturdays 11-9 p.m., sundays 2-7 p.m.• information: (260) 565-3355

Today’s Harvest Autumn Family Fun• where: U.s. 40 & s.R. 320, new Paris, ohio(Just 2 miles west of Richmond )• what: Multi-acre corn maze, wagon rides, corn hole, putt-putt golf, life size checkers, rope maze, duck races and u-pick pumpkins. enjoy great music and food.• when: corn maze will be open weekends through november 1; friday and saturday 10 a.m.-midnight. sunday, noon-8 p.m. • information: (937) 877-6030 or todaysharvestfarm.com

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