July 15, 2008

Organic production and processing focus of farm tour

"The day encompasses a producer that's been in organic production for more than seven years and a producer that is trying to become certified," said Dan Wilson, Purdue University Cooperative Extension educator in Decatur County. "This tour will be especially beneficial to those who are just getting started in organic production or those that are thinking about making the transition."

The cost to participate is $15, which includes lunch, refreshments and materials.  Pre-registration is due by July 22.  Individuals can register at https://www.conf.purdue.edu/FARMTOURS  or by calling Lynn Stocksick at (800) 359-2034. On-site registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Langeland Farms, 3806 S. County Road, Greensburg, IN  47240.

Wilson and Jerry Nelson, Purdue Extension New Ventures Team educator, will give a brief welcome at 10 a.m., followed by the tour of Langeland Farms. Gary Reding, owner and operator, raises organic hay, beef, popcorn and soybeans. He also has a processing facility that bags products for sale and shipment.

After Langeland Farms, the tour will move east to Oldenburg where lunch will be served at the Machaela Farm, operated by the Sisters of St. Francis. It is located off Interstate 74 at Exit 149. Participants should follow the signs toward Oldenburg on State Road 229, about three miles. The farm is on the right side of the road, one block past Holy Family Church and Motherhouse.

At 1 p.m., Kathy Cooley of the Laughery Valley Growers Association will discuss her experience with organic blueberry production. Sister Carolyn will then explain the history and give a tour of the 300-acre Michaela farm.

The sisters operated a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from 1999 to 2002 and were organically certified for several years. Certification was discontinued after 2002 for financial and other reasons, but the farm continues to use organic methods for vegetable production. The farm produces greens, lettuce, carrots and cabbage. Besides produce, they also raise lean grass-fed beef for the Convent and the general public from its 30-head herd of beefalo cattle.  The cattle are known for their efficient conversion of forage into lean beef.

Time will be allotted for questions after the tour.  The program will end around 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Wilson at (812) 663-8388, wilsondg@purdue.edu  or Nelson at (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu, or Roy Ballard at (317) 462-1113, rballard@purdue.edu.

The Purdue Small Farms Team, Purdue New Ventures Team, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program sponsor the 2008 Indiana Farm Sustainability Tours.

Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu

Sources: Dan Wilson, (812) 663-8388, wilsondg@purdue.edu

Jerry Nelson, (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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