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Dear Families, There is no time like the present to begin your Open Class and 4-H projects for next year! After all, there’s only about 9 months until project check-in at the 2023 Vermillion County Fair! THANKS to each and every one of you for a GREAT fair and summer! In the spirit of teamwork, your efforts are greatly appreciated, highly valued, and it could NOT have been accomplished without EACH of you! Office #: 765-492-5330

Becky Phil Lori Becky Holbert Phil Cox Lori Bouslog Extension Educator Extension Educator Extension Educator Ext. 337 Ext. 335 Ext. 332 holbert@purdue.edu cox119@purdue.edu lbouslog@purdue.edu

Connie Margie Connie Warner Margie Allee Office Manager Extension Program Ass’t Ext. 334 Ext. 336

Find us on fb at:

Purdue Extension Vermillion County

Vermillion Co. 4-H

Vermillion Co. 4-H Volunteers

Vermillion Co. 4-H Jr. Leaders

Vermillion Co. IN Extension Homemakers

EXTENSION EXPRESS!

WEBSITE: https://extension.purdue.edu/county/Vermillion

2022 10-17

HARVEST IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. Some friendly reminders from Indiana State Police. Farm equipment during harvest season could include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph. The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:

• Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them toget to a safe place to do so.

• Be patient. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.

• Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet ofany intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.

• Do not try to pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is notplanning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it isactually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and thefarmer.

• Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.

• Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS 5K AND FAMILY FUN WALK SEPTEMBER 24, 9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

The Vermillion Trails Alliance has been working incredibly hard the past few years to extend the ‘bridge to nowhere’ that crosses the Wabash from Reeder Park in Montezuma. VTA has worked very closely with Parke Trails Alliance, the Town of Montezuma, and the Parke County Commissioners to ensure a smooth transition in connecting these two trails. Although the Vermillion County part isn’t completely done (extending trails is a constant work in progress) the VTA and PTA groups are planning a GRAND OPENING event, Over the River and Through the Woods 5K and Family Fun Walk for walkers and runners of all ages (even well-behaved dogs on leashes)! Course will also be stroller-friendly! There are also lots of fun activities for folks of all ages planned for Reeder Park from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.

• Runners and walkers will start at Reeder Park in Montezuma, go "Over the River" on the Wabash River B&O Rail bridge, then go "Through the Woods" on a brand new trail in Vermillion County!

• Register here: https://overtheriverandthroughthewoods.itsyourrace.com/ • For more information contact: parketrailsalliance@gmail.com or vermilliontrails@gmail.com

WHOLE WHEAT APPLE MUFFINS WITH STREUSEL TOPPING

Prep Time- 10 Minutes Cook Time-20 Minutes Yield-12 muffins

Ingredients 1 cup Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/2 cup butter or margarine, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt 1 large apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4" cubes

Streusel Topping: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons of brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, room temperature 3 tablespoons chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans work well.

INSTRUCTIONS Prepare Streusel Topping: In small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Using a pastry cutter or two forks cut in butter/margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbles. Add chopped nuts, set aside. Pre-heat oven 400⁰. Line 12 muffin tins with paper baking cups or grease and flour each tin, set aside. In large bowl sift together both flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon, set aside. In separate bowl, cream butter or margarine until soft, add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Slowly add egg and blend until combined. Add sour cream or yogurt, on low speed until just combined. Don't over mix! Fold in dry ingredients, stir until completely combined. Fold in apple chunks gently by hand until evenly combined. Using an Ice Cream scoop, add batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle Streusel Topping evenly over each muffin. Bake in pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Slightly cool muffins in tin, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely. Source: https://homebaking.org/

4-H ADULT LEADER & COUNCIL MEETINGS

All at Fairgrounds in 4-H Community Building:

Sept. 12, 7:00 PM @ FG-Council & Adult Leaders

Oct. 10, 7:00 PM @ FG-Council & Adult Leaders

Nov. 7, 7:00 PM @ FG-Council & Adult Leaders

EXTENSION BOARD MEETING Sept. 20

6:30 PM at the Fairgrounds

YOU CAN HELP VERMILLION COUNTY 4-H SIMPLY BY DOING YOUR NORMAL SHOPPING!

Have a Kroger card? Simply visit this website so that EACH time you do your normal shopping Vermillion Co. 4-H will be credited. The proceeds from the Kroger rewards are earmarked for 4-H scholarships in Vermillion County. https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Shop at GFS? At checkout the cashier will often ask if your purchase is for an organization. Simply state that you’d like it to go towards “Vermillion Co. 4-H”. The proceeds from GFS come in way of a credit to GFS for

Vermillion Co. 4-H purchases. This can help keep costs low for snacks for programs and expenses low for fundraisers.

4-H ONLINE ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN OCTOBER 1 FOR 2023 ENROLLMENT!!!

4-H OnLine looks differently this year. It has been updated. Follow link below and follow instructions for:

A. first-year 4-Her, current 3rd grader or older and have never been in 4-H B. Returning 4-Her—-must re-enroll each year

https://extension.purdue.edu/county/Vermillion Adults (parents, grandparents, neighbors) who are interested in learning more about

volunteering with Vermillion Co. 4H should call 765-492-5330. It truly takes a village and the Vermillion Co. 4-H ‘Village’ would only be made more

AWESOME with more adults willing to make a difference! Volunteer opportunities for ALL schedules and interests!

4-H FALL BREAK FUN DAYS! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! SAVE THE DATES!

Who: Current K-6th graders Dates: October 18, 19, & 20 What: Organized, FUN themed days Cost: $30 for one day or all 3 days Bring: Will need to BRING a sack lunch each day. Drinks and snacks will be provided Watch for registrations to go home from school after Labor Day OR look for them on our website after Labor Day No past 4-H involvement necessary. Register, come, and have some FUN! Shhhhh……they just might learn, too!

VETERANS DINNER & PROGRAM DATE: Sunday, November 6th TIME: 5:30 PM PLACE: 4-H Community Building, Vermillion Co. Fairgrounds WHO: Veterans, Military, and families—Free dinner for all of these folks! SPONSORED BY: Vermillion Co. 4-H Jr. Leaders THANK YOU for YOUR SERVICE!!!

BLANFORD SPORTSMANS’ CLUB HOSTS BINGO TO SUPPORT VERMILLION CO. 4-H JR. LEADERS Date: Thurs., Sept. 22 Place: Blanford Sportsmans’ Club Time: Dinner served from 5:00-7:00 Bingo begins at 7:00 PM PRIZES WILL BE ‘MY FAVORITE THINGS’ includING GIFT CARDS!

FOODS TO IMPROVE YOUR SKIN HEALTH Remember that old saying, "you are what you eat" which is the basis of good skin color and overall health. Our choice of food and beverages affects all major body systems including the heart, brain and skin. Going to the supermarket or a farmer's market offers plenty of healthy foods that can boost your appearance, as well as, offer some protection from the rays of the sun. Remember, your skin health is dependent on how well you nourish it through dietary choices. Our stressful environment makes it super important to feed our skin the most healthful foods on a daily basis for a glowing complexion. Try these tips:

• Eat 5–6 cups daily of bright colored veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, leafy dark greens. The carotenoids found in these veggies and others have a beneficial impact on reducing skin discoloration that impacts your appearance.

• Carotenoids are found in fruit and veggies and are potent antioxidants which protect our skin from the sun’s UV rays and helps to protect the skin from sunburn.

• Stop eating the typical American diet that is high in processed food including fried foods, sugar and salt. Instead, eat lots of veggies, fruit, whole grains, 1% or fat-free dairy, poultry, fish and drink plenty of water. Make sure you consume plenty of colorful vegetables that contain phytochemicals which will keep your skin glowing and healthy.

• Add 1–2 ounces of almonds to your diet daily. Researchers at the University of California Davis have found skin improves the severity of wrinkles which lessen due to the beneficial fats found in almonds along with other anti-aging antioxidants.

• Follow the Mediterranean Diet that emphasizes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, at least two times per week, and limits red meat, sweets, and high fat foods to be "once in a blue moon" foods. Add water or a glass of red wine for adults at the dinner meal. Olive oil is a mainstay of the diet along with plenty of tomatoes that are high in lycopene that helps to prevent skin cancer due to this high antioxidant compound.

• Consuming dark red grapes contains flavonoids that help to prevent premature aging of the skin by providing protection against the UV-ray-activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) from forming and causing skin cell death. Red grapes are a great snack and provide natural protection against sunburn according to a recent study in Spain.

• Eating fish weekly has cardiovascular benefits due to Omega-3 fats but now has been shown to prevent photoaging due to astaxanthin, an antioxidant compound found in pink fish such as salmon and arctic char. It accumulates in a person’s skin and it protects against the UV exposure along with water loss from a person’s skin which contributes to wrinkles.

Take these small steps to improve your skin health so it glows and your overall body health improves inside and out. Source: https://njaes.rutgers.edu

VERMILLION COUNTY EXTENSION HOMEMAKER UPDATES

A Sprinkle of News from Sue By Sue Weber, Vermillion County Extension Homemaker President As we welcome our new Indiana State Extension Homemaker President, Michelle Roberts, we are excited to announce our State Theme for the next biennium. It is Scatter Kindness the #IEHA Way! Her program challenges members to reach out to random people to spread kindness and to encourage kindness throughout our communities. There is probably one thing that we can all agree on…the world can use more KINDNESSS! She would like for each county to make 1000 Pocket Hearts this year to disperse throughout the county to share. We are going to make the Hearts and scatter them everywhere! It is a simple gesture of kindness, and who doesn’t love to feel uplifted, or even have a smile on their face when something completely random is done for them? So, look for the Pocket Hearts in the banks, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, libraries, and other places soon. If you are interested in this project even if you are not a member, call me at 765-562-3577. We would love your help in fulfilling this challenge. Our new president has also challenged us to start Kindness Specialty Clubs. There are endless possibilities. In other Extension Homemaker news, we have some upcoming events: • Extension Homemaker Council meeting will be Monday, September 12 at 3:00 PM at Clinton Public Library • Bakersfest will be held Wednesday, October 5 at 10:30 with the theme, “Nuttin’ but Kindness!” Foods must contain Dried Fruit or Nuts with the categories of Quick Breads or Muffins, Pie, Cake, Cookies, or Miscellaneous. See registration flyer included in this newsletter • IEHA Week will be October 17-22 • Extension Homemaker Field Trip to Arthur Illinois- October 27 Remember to always Scatter Kindness! 2022-2023 PROGRAM BOOKS The Extension Homemaker program books for the 2022-2023 year were distributed during the recent Extension Homemaker Achievement Day. There are a couple of additions to your program book. Hostesses for the Oct. 5, 2022, Baker’s Fest will be Vermillion County Extension Homemakers; and Happy Homemakers for the May 3, 2023, Achievement Day.

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Extension Homemaker Council meetings for 2022-2023 will be September 12, 3:00 PM at Clinton Public Library; November 7, 10:00 AM at Purdue Extension Vermillion County office, Cayuga; March 6, 10:00 AM at Vermillion County Public Library, Newport; and May 15, 11:30 AM (Indiana Time) at Randall Manor, Chrisman.

LEADER LESSONS The Area V HHS Educators offer leader lessons and package lessons, which are listed on pages 14-15 of the current program book. The lessons on the IEHA website, www.ieha-families.org, are also available for use throughout the year. Please contact Lori for copies of the lessons your club is requesting!

PUMPKIN PECAN COBBLER Prep Time-15 Minutes Cook Time-40 Minutes Yield- 6-8 servings

Ingredients 1 ¼ cups self-rising flour (if you do not have self-rising flour, use 1 cup and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt) ¾ cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cloves ½ cup pumpkin puree ¼ cup milk ¼ cup melted butter 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the topping: ½ cup sugar ½ cup light brown sugar 1 ½ cups very hot water ¼ cup pecan pieces (halves may also be used if you prefer)

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350⁰ Grease an 8" square baking pan. Stir together self-rising flour with sugar and spices in a medium size bowl. (If using plain flour, stir in baking powder and salt as well) In another medium size bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and stir until combined. Batter will be stiff. Spread batter evenly in greased pan. Prepare topping: Mix together ingredients for the topping: sugar, brown sugar, and pecan pieces. Spread topping evenly over batter, then pour hot water over topping. DO NOT STIR! Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until it looks settled.

Optional! Especially tasty with vanilla ice cream and extra toasted or candied pecans. VERMILLION PARKE HEALTH COALITION Are you interested in the health of your community? Are you looking for ways to make a difference? The Vermillion Parke Health Coalition (130+ members!) has been meeting for two years, with support from our state Connections IN Health team. The monthly meetings, on the first Thursday of odd numbered months at 10:00 AM, continue to be virtual for now. There are four working groups (Resource Manual, Food Insecurity, Connecting Health Care, and Poverty), and several coalition members have volunteered to be involved with at least one of them. If improving the health of your community is important to you, please contact Lori Bouslog at lbouslog@purdue.edu or call 765-492-5332 to discuss how you can be involved. SAVE THE DATE! The Poverty working group of the Vermillion Parke Health Coalition will host a Poverty Simulation on Friday, September 9 at the 4-H Community Building in Cayuga. Join in a live role-playing simulation of families living in poverty. This eye-opening look into the difficult decisions that millions of Americans are forced to make every day will foster empathy and awareness of the needs in our communities. Contact Lori Bouslog, Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator, at lbouslog@purdue.edu or 765-492-5332, for more details.

SMALL STEPS TO CURB URGES TO SPLURGE

Many people today purchase items that were once thought of as luxuries. Websites and advertisements show the latest clothing, home furnishings, gadgets, electronics, and cars, and television shows depict lifestyles that most people cannot afford. Social media posts often share "rehearsed lives" where everything is "perfect" (e.g., smiling babies, trendy clothing, expensive purchases). Not surprisingly, FOMO (fear of missing out) can occur, making it difficult to fight the urge to splurge. Below are seven ideas to get grounded financially and live the good life within your economic means:

• Track Your Spending- Total up how much money is spent each month on various expense categories. Common expenses include housing, food, utilities, transportation, insurance, clothing, medical/health care, entertainment, gifts/contributions, personal care, credit/debt payments, and "other" (e.g., child care, union dues, child support) as well as periodic savings for financial goals.

• Identify "Leaks"- Consider monthly and annual costs of small, often unplanned, expenses (i.e., spending "leaks") that add up and what that money could buy if it was, instead, saved for a future goal or spent on a big-ticket item. Leaks are typically variable expenses including clothing, food, beverages, entertainment, and gifts.

• View Spending Cuts Positively- Consider the annual cost of "small" expenses that add up and what that money could buy if it was saved or spent on a big-ticket item. Making any kind of behavior change is difficult and takes a great amount of perseverance. Research has shown that when people want to change, instead of being forced to change, they are more successful.

• Increase Automatic Savings- Restrict the amount of money available to spend by increasing savings. One relatively painless way to do this is to automate savings deposits via payroll deductions for deposits into a bank or credit union savings account or an employer retirement account (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plan).

• Avoid Negative Influences- Limit time spent with "shopaholic" friends and at shopping malls. In addition, be mindful of time spent scrolling online retailer websites and be alert for "dark patterns." These are techniques that trick users into doing things they did not plan to do and making it hard to undo them. Examples of dark patterns include fees added at the end of an online checkout process and "gotcha" checkboxes and hidden "opt-out" buttons.

• Set Ground Rules- Pace yourself. When deciding to purchase something, wait for at least a day. If, after that day has passed, you still think you need or want the item, then consider a purchase. If the item in question is a "big ticket" item (e.g., appliance), wait at least a week before deciding whether or not to buy it. This strategy slows down spending and helps to avoid impulse purchases.

• Identify Triggers and Substitutes- Keep a spending log and feelings at the time of purchases. When people overspend, there is often an emotional reason behind it and shopping provides a "dopamine rush" in the brain. Consider healthier mood-boosting alternatives. Examples include playing with a pet, reaching out to a friend, expressing gratitude, and free community events.

In summary, through small steps, such as expense tracking, automated savings, spending ground rules, and mindfulness, it is possible to spend less and make wise consumer decisions. Source: https://njaes.rutgers.edu

INDIANA FARMLAND PRICES SOAR TO RECORD HIGHS IN 2022 Results of the annual Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey were published on August 10th. The survey suggests Indiana farmland prices grew at a record pace between June 2021 and June 2022, exceeding previous highs set in 2021. Statewide, top-quality farmland averaged $12,808 per acre, up 30.9% from the same time last year. The average per acre price of average-quality farmland similarly increased by 30.1% to $10,598. Poor quality farmland prices exhibited the largest increase of 34.0% to $8,631. Here in the West Central region, there are 10 counties, including the most southwestern in that region - Vermillion. For the West Central region, the average farmland values ($/acre) were: top-quality - $13,050 (up 19%); average-quality - $10,914 (up 16.3%); and poor-quality - $9,012 (up 14.8%). In the news release, Dr. Todd H. Kuethe, Purdue University Associate Professor and the Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics and survey author stated “Multiple factors are influencing the increase in farmland prices, including positive net farm incomes, relatively strong commodity prices, inflation, and high farmer liquidity. However, rising interest rates are associated with increased costs of borrowing, which put downward pressure on purchases financed through mortgages.” Statewide cash rental rates also increased across all land quality classes in 2022. Average cash rents increased by 11.5% for top-quality land, 10.8% for average-quality land, and 13.2% for poor-quality land. The increases in cash rents were the highest observed since the 2011–2012 period. Across the three quality grades, cash rents also reached a record high in 2022 at $300 per acre for high-quality farmland, $252 for average-quality, and $207 for poor-quality land. At the regional level, the largest cash rental rate increases for top- and average-quality land were in the Northeast (21.3% and 13.2%, respectively), and the largest increase for poor-quality land was in the Southwest region (18.6%). Across all three quality grades, the highest per acre average cash rent was observed in the West Central region. In the West Central region, the average 2022 cash rents ($/acre) were: top-quality - $329 (up 9%); average-quality - $289 (up 10.3%); and poor-quality - $247 (up 11.4%). Statewide, the average price of farmland transitioning out of agricultural production (into other, typically higher value, uses) was up 36.5% from June 2021, with an average price per acre of $24,240. Recreational land (located in rural areas used for hunting and other recreational uses) prices grew by 21.8% to an average per acre price of $9,121. For the remainder of 2022, respondents expect transitional land to increase modestly by 2.3%, while the value of recreational land is expected to hold relatively stable. See www.ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/purdue-agricultural-economics-report for the complete survey and the following recent Purdue Agricultural Economics Report articles: Indiana Farmland Prices Grow at Record Pace in 2022, Trends in Farmland Price to Rent Ratios in Indiana, Farmer Optimism about Short-term US Farmland Values Weakens, and Increasing Concern of a Bubble in Indiana Farmland Prices. For more in-depth analysis on the survey, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture had a free webinar on August 24th. Purdue agricultural economists Todd Kuethe, James Mintert, and Michael Langemeier broke down the Purdue Farmland Values Survey and USDA Land Values report, discussed marketing strategies for 2022 corn and soybean crops, and made projections for 2023 corn and soybean returns. If you missed it (or want to watch again) see the recording at the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture’s website at https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag .

Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rent Survey each June and publishes it in the Purdue Agricultural Economics Report. The survey is produced through the cooperation of numerous professionals knowledgeable of Indiana’s farmland market. These professionals provided an estimate of the market value for bare poor, average, and top-quality farmland in December 2021, June 2022, and a forecast value for December 2022. The data reported here provide general guidelines regarding farmland values and cash rent. To obtain a more precise value of an individual tract, contact a professional appraiser or farm manager that has a good understanding of the local market.

WEST CENTRAL INDIANA MASTER NATURALIST WORKSHOP STARTS SEPTEMBER 7TH The West Central Indiana Master Naturalist Workshop starts on Wednesday, September 7th and will continue for a total of eight afternoon classes, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, on most Wednesdays through November 2. The Indiana Master Naturalist program is sponsored by Indiana Resource Conservation & Development Councils, Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources with the mission to bring together natural resources specialists with adult learners to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife, and promote volunteer service within the State of Indiana. For more information about the Indiana Master Naturalist program see www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/6321.htm The West Central IMN Workshop will rotate between Parke (Turkey Run State Park Nature Center), Vigo (Dobbs Park Nature Center) and Vermillion (Clinton Public Library) Counties. Classes include: Indiana Geology& the Impact of Glaciation, The Diverse Botany of Indiana’s Natural Regions, Orchids of Indiana, Indiana’s Native Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians, Invasive Plant Management & Restoration Techniques, The Vascular Flora of Turkey Run State Park, The Use of Dendrochronology as an Environmental Monitor, Conservation of Wetlands & Their Wildlife, Wings Across the Sky: Birds of Indiana, Protecting What Remains: Inventory & Preservation and Stewards of Nature, and Meet Plain Ol’ Charlie Deam. Field trips associated with these classes are to the following: Atherton Island Natural Area, Turkey Run State Park, Dobbs Memorial Park, and Sugar Creek. Presenters include Henry Loope (Indiana Geological & Water Survey), Mike Homoya & John Bacone (both Indiana Division of Nature Preserves (retired)), Brian MacGowan (Purdue University), Carissa Lovett (Dobbs Park Nature Center), Stephanie Schuck (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management), Aaron Douglass (Turkey Run State Park), Dr. Jim Speer (Indiana State University), Kathryn Mudica (Indiana State University), Barny Dunning (Purdue University), and Jody Heaston (Indiana Division of State Parks). This course is open to all adults that have an interest and would like to learn more about Indiana’s natural resources, as no previous naturalist experience is required. All students will receive a gently used copy of The Natural Heritage of Indiana (1997), edited by Dr. Marion T. Jackson, as a text book. Students will be able to learn first-hand from two contributors to this book, as both Mike Homoya and John Bacone will be presenting. There is a registration fee of $60 per person and a discount for couples ($100 per couple sharing materials), which covers the costs of all books, materials, and other fees. However, the Turkey Run State Park entry fee (or a 2022 State Park Pass) is required for the classes (5) held there. The number of participants is limited and will be taken on a first-come first-served basis. The deadline for registration is August 31. A detailed schedule and registration form can be found on the Vermillion County Extension webpage at https://extension.purdue.edu/county/vermillion/ . If you have questions or you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program contact Vermillion County Extension Educator, Phil Cox at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu.

JUST FOR FUN! *Why was the robots’ anniversary in the fall? They were autumn-mated! *What’s the ratio of a pumpkin’s circumference to its diameter? Pumpkin Pi! *How do you fix a broken pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch! *What do you call a large, colorful pile of leaves? The Great Barrier Leaf! *Why do trees hate going back to school in the fall? Because they’re easily stumped! *What kind of vest should you wear in the fall? A har-vest!

AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE RESOURCES!

Have specific questions, call Phil at 765-492-5335 or email at cox119@purdue.edu

This Website Provides the Latest Corn Research and Management Information for armers and Agricultural Professionals: https://thekernel.info

To see the current and past issues (and to subscribe) of the Crop & Pest newsletter go to: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/ .

The most recent issue (August 12) of the Pest & Crop Newsletter covers the following topics: Tar Spot and Southern Corn Rust Update in Indiana Beware – High Sorghum-sudangrass Nitrate Concentrations Reported Purdue Crop Chat Episode 39, Extreme Weather Conditions Warm Temperatures and Rain Dominate Early August with Cooler Weather Inbound Conserve the Soil, Conserve the Climate

The Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture has many reports, publications, podcasts, and webinars that can be found at https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/Pages/

For the current issue (and to subscribe) please see: https://vegcropshotline.org/ The most recent issue (August 12) of the Vegetable Crops Hotline Newsletter covers the following topics: Southern Blight of Tomato and Pepper; Late Season Fungicide Applications; Root-knot Nematode on Vegetable Crops; Late Season Pest Management in Pumpkins; Cover Crop Demonstration Plots Show Weed Suppression Potential; Irrigation Demonstration Update Aug 9, 2022, Pinney Purdue Ag Center; For Young Consumers Farm-to-Fork Is Not Organic

Purdue Landscape Report provides science-based, timely information for Midwest landscapes. This information is intended to benefit commercial growers, garden centers, landscapers, arborists, or others who want to keep up with current landscape issues. The current issue (August 9) of the Purdue Landscape Report covers the

following topics: Spotted Lanternfly Now in Northern and Southern Indiana; Rainfall helping to eliminate drought across Indiana; Kretzschmaria Basal Canker: Fast Path to Tree Failure; National Tree Check Month? Check your Pool Filters Too! https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/

For the current issue of Purdue Extension’s Facts for Fancy Fruit newsletter (and to subscribe) please see: https://fff.hort.purdue.edu/ The current issue (August 12) of Facts for Fancy Fruit covers the following topics:Crop Conditions; Warm Temperatures and Rain Dominate early August with Cooler Weather Inbound; Brown Rot; Spotted Lanternfly detected in Northern Indiana; Bloom Through Petal Fall are Key Times for Codling Moth and Dogwood Borer Mating Disruption Strategies

THE NATURE OF OAKS WEBINAR – SEPTEMBER 13, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Purdue Extension – Vermillion County will host a webinar with Dr. Douglas Tallamy, author of The Nature of Oaks, to learn about our amazing oaks and their ecological contributions. This free webinar will be on Tuesday, September 13, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds Community Building in Cayuga Park. Oaks sustain a complex and fascinating web of wildlife. The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own yards and restorations. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. The Nature of Oaks will inspire you to treasure these trees and to act to nurture and protect them. This presentation is in partnership with the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA). No registration is required for the program at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds. For those that wish to view the webinar from their home, IFWOA members can receive a link to join for free and non-members can receive the link for a small fee. To register to get your own link see: www.ifwoa.org . If you have questions or you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Vermillion County Extension Educator, Phil Cox at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu. URBAN SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP: PUTTING YOUR GARDEN TO BED – SEPTEMBER 19, 6:00 PM

People are growing more and more interested in where the food that makes up their diet comes from. They are looking for locally grown foods that are healthier and more sustainably grown. This is seen with a growing number of urban and small-scale farmers that are becoming more connected with their food sources. Most of this small-scale agriculture is private gardens or community gardens with several in our local area. Rockville, Clinton, and Cayuga are just some of the urban locations that have community gardens where people who live in town can grow their own produce. With this growing trend of urban gardeners, there have been trends towards sustainability and conservation gardening. Most people when they hear of conservation agriculture, they think large scale row crop fields of cover crops and no-till. These best management practices (BMPs) are not only useful in large scale agriculture, but small-scale gardeners and farmers are also able to implement these BMPs. Cover crops and no-till are beneficial practices to increase soil health and productivity in your home gardens. Therefore, to help with this issue Parke and Vermillion SWCDs are teaming up with Purdue Extension to host an Urban Soil Health Workshop on September 19th at 6:00 pm at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds Community building. Holly McCutchan, Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Southwest Urban Soil Health Specialist, will explain more about Urban Soil Health and what you can do to make your garden more productive. The workshop will cover improving soil health, soil health amendments, and best management practices. There will also be an opportunity to go to a local community garden and discuss implementing some of these BMPs. As part of an incentive to attend the workshop, there will be free cover crop seed provided and participants will have the opportunity to have your soil tested for free. If you would like to bring a dry sample of your soil from your garden, or attend and would like to collect the samples the following days, we will assist in bagging the samples and sending the samples off to be analyzed. By analyzing your soil, you can avoid adding unnecessary fertilizer or other amendments to your garden. We look forward to seeing you at the Urban Soil Health workshop on September 19th at 6:00 pm at the Vermillion County Fairgrounds Community Building. No registration is required for this free program.

IMPORTANT EXTENSION DATES

SEPTEMBER 5-OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Labor Day6-Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Vermillion Co. Library, Newport7- Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Clinton Public Library7-Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer9-Poverty Simulation event, see article9-GATHERING at the CROSSING, 9-4 @ FG, See flyer10- GATHERING at the CROSSING, 9-4 @ FG, See flyer11- GATHERING at the CROSSING, 10-2 @ FG, See flyer12-Extension Homemaker Council Meeting, 3 PM @Clinton Public Library12-4-H Council & Adult Leader Meeting, 7 PM @ FG13Nature of Oaks Webinar, 7:00, See article14- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer17-Young Men on the Wabash Kayaking program, See flyer19-Putting Your Garden to Bed Workshop, 6:00 PM @

Fairgrounds, See article20-Extension Board Meeting, 6:30 @ FG21- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer22-BINGO by Blanford Sportsmans’ Club to support 4-H Jr.

Leaders; Dinner available from 5-7; BINGO at 724-Over the River & Through the Woods 5K, See article25-Jr. Leader Officer Meeting, 1:30-3:30 @ ono UMC28- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer30- OFFICE CLOSED for Hill Climb (county holiday)

OCTOBER 1- 4-H OnLine opens for 2023 4-H ENROLLMENT!4-Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Vermillion Co. Library, Newport5- Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Clinton Public Library5- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer5-24th Annual Baker’s Fest, See flyer8- Young Women on the Wabash Kayaking program, Seeflyer10- OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Columbus Day10-4-H Council & Adult Leader Meeting, 7 PM @ FG12- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer15- Young Men on the Wabash Kayaking program, See flyer

OCTOBER, continued 18- 4-H Fall Break Fun Day, watch for details19-4-H Fall Break Fun Day, watch for details20-4-H Fall Break Fun Day, watch for details26- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer

27-Extension Homemaker trip to Arthur, Illinois

NOVEMBER 2- Master Naturalist class, 1:00-4:00 PM, See flyer6-Jr. Leader Meeting, 3:00 PM @ FG6-Veterans Program & Dinner, 5:30 PM @ FG, See article7-4-H Council & Adult Leader Meeting, 7 PM @ FG7- Extension Homemaker Council Meeting, 10 AM @Purdue Extension Office, Cayuga8- OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Election Day8-Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Vermillion Co. Library, Newport9- Story STEAM, 4-5 PM @ Clinton Public Library11- OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Veterans’ Day12-Jr. Leader Handbook Party, 10:00-Noon @ FG13-Jr. Leader Meeting & Handbooks, 1:30-4:00 @ FG24-25- OFFICE CLOSED in observance of Thanksgiving

PLEASE REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS BY DEADLINES TO HELP STAFF IN PLANNING FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

FOR ALL.

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employer."

EXTENSION EXPRESS PUZZLE! All answers can be found in this Sept./Oct newsletter!

Be the first to call 765-492-5330 or email Becky at holbert@purdue.edu with correct answers for

a prize!

CONGRATULATIONS to the

SZCZEPANSKI family for being the first to answer the Sept/Oct

puzzle! They won a $10 Texas Roadhouse gift card!

ACROSS 1. You can make your own self-rising type of this 4. Please register Vermillion Co. 4-H with this grocery store and support while you shop 6. Fall opportunities for high school fellas and ladies to do this on the Wabash 9. This region saw the largest cash rental rate increase for top/average quality land 11. Extension homemakers statewide are scattering this! 12. These 'jewel's can be found in these mighty trees 13. This series of classes will help participants gain this of Indiana's plants, water, soils, & wildlife 14. Jr. Leaders will be honoring these folks on November 6 15. This club is a great supporter of community organizations 16. Doing this will bring the world to your fingertips 20. This event will focus on poverty and is very eye-opening! 21. These unplanned spending habits can be costly

5. These folks are also responsible for best management practices related to conservation agriculture 6. This Basal canker can put a tree on a fast path to failure 7. These are due Sept. 28 for this tasty annual event 8. These from the Indiana State Police might save a life this harvest season 10. Dark grapes contain these that help prevent premature aging of the skin 12. This group gets support from this health-related state team 17. 4-H OnLine will open Oct. 1 for folks to do this for 2023 18. Fun activities will be planned for youth on this school vacation 19. Add this on low speed and be sure to not overmix

DOWN 2. This run/walk will take folks over this and into Vermillion County 3. Folks will be gathering here, well technically, at the fairgrounds for this historical event

WHAT’S INSIDE: *2023 Fair Dates *Harvest Safety Message *Over the River & Through the Woods *Recipes *Meeting Reminders for 4-H Council & Adult Leaders, Extension Board, & Extension Homemakers *Story S.T.E.A.M. *Gathering at the Crossing *Fall Break Fun Days *Support 4-H while you Shop *Veterans’ Program/Dinner *Blanford Sportsmans’ Club BINGO for 4-H Jr. Leaders *4-H Enrollment for 2023! *Kayaking Programs *Baker’s Fest *Skin Health *Extension Homemaker Updates *Health Coalition *Poverty Simulation *Curb the Urge! *Farmland Prices *Master Naturalist Program *Ag and Horticulture Resources *Nature of Oaks *Putting Garden to Bed *Important Extension Dates *Crossword Puzzle Purdue Extension Mission: We deliver practical, research-based information that enhances lives and livelihoods.

Purdue Extension Vision: We will be a leader in providing relevant, high-impact educational programs that transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities in Indiana and the world.