Decades ago, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin were the top U.S. mint producers, but the heart of U.S. production is now in
the Pacific Northwest. Over time, as small mint farms shut down, Indiana has fallen to fourth.
An annual report by Purdue University shows that 20 Indiana residents died last year in farm-related accidents, down
from 28 in 2008 and 24 in 2007.
Matthew Jose figures that if enough people follow him into urban farming, vacant and abandoned property will flourish with
productivity, consumer diets will improve, and worn neighborhoods will get new life.
A 26-member delegation of Hoosiers, including Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, arrived Wednesday in Hangzhou, Indiana’s Chinese
sister state since 1987, for an agriculture-focused economic development trade mission.
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is traveling to China with a delegation of state officials and business and community leaders through
June 10. Skillman is blogging about their experiences as the group works to build relationships and attract Chinese investment
to Indiana.
Purdue corn specialist Bob Nielsen says recent frosts have caused mostly cosmetic damage to crops, but some fields experienced
damage serious enough that they must be replanted.
Newly implemented provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill are opening the door to possible federal aid for Indiana Christmas tree
growers and tree nurseries hit by losses caused by severe weather.
The Midwest is known more for growing corn than cauliflower, but if its farmers raised the fruit and vegetables eaten in
the Heartland, they could create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in income, according to a recent study.
The federal money is for renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency improvements, energy audits and renewable-energy feasibility
studies.
As of last week, farmers had planted 56 percent of the state’s intended corn crop and 12 percent of the soybean crop. Both
are records for late April.
U.S. corn farmers may have planted more acres last week than in any week ever as dry weather
and more-productive equipment sped up fieldwork.
The prices hogs are fetching this year will help farmers begin to climb out of the crater of 2008 and 2009. Average pork prices
may approach record levels this year, Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt predicted, up to $53.63 per hundred
pounds. The record is $55.44 per hundred pounds, set in 1982.
For years, ethanol fuel derived from corn was almost politically untouchable, thanks to powerful advocates on Capitol Hill.
The ethanol industry has consequently exploded over the last decade, thanks to government subsidies and incentives. But skepticism
about ethanol is rising, prompted by fluctuating food prices and an organized campaign by anti-ethanol advocates to discredit
the industry.
The tiny town of Reynolds had big plans when Gov. Mitch Daniels touted it in 2005 as the location of BioTown USA, the state's
first project to make a community produce enough energy to become self-sufficient.
A Purdue University expert says Indiana farmers are growing less wheat this year but the crop so far is thriving.
Indiana’s plan to lay off some meat inspectors has small, independent processors fearing for the future of what has been a
growing industry.
Why should bamboo imported from Asia or steel made through intensive use of energy be consider greener than locally grown
trees? timber interests ask.
Farmers who might have worried about losing their livelihood
to new homes or retail have gotten a little breather.
A Purdue University scientist hopes to build a special greenhouse that will grow vegetables in the Indiana winter by tapping
into excess heat produced by a power plant on the West Lafayette campus.
High demand for ethanol in 2007 and 2008 sent commodity prices to a record level, which could make taxes spike.
