Purdue Extension Dearborn County

08/27/2026

The office will be closed today due to construction on our building. We will be back tomorrow during our normal hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Send a message to learn more

08/27/2026

Survey of August 2026: Making or Breaking Field Crops?
Shaun Casteel
August 21, 2026

Survey link: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Xid0TER5lkf4jk

The 2026 growing season started and continues with intense rain events that dropped 3 to 6 inches in a single day, which was impressive in its own right. Unfortunately, these intense storms have continued all season long. Historic rains and floods settled across many counties of Indiana in the past few weeks with single events dumping 8 to 15 inches of rain. The effect on corn and soybeans at this point of the season is unchartered waters.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey to provide insight to the impact to your fields/area and distribution of the extreme weather in August 2026. We welcome all responses from those who were fortunate to get timely rains to those affected by straight line winds to those in the epicenter of historic floods. We would like to partner with you to track crop response to this historic weather. If you would like assistance in the field, you can provide your contact information at the end of the survey (closes August 31st).

If you have agriculture damage, contact the local USDA Farm Service Agency (www.fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator).

08/27/2026

08/24/2026

Healthy Monday #33 in 2026! Check out 5 simples ways to start the week with less stress. https://healthymonday.com/stress-management/5-simple-ways-to-start-the-week-with-less-stress?utm_source=Healthy+Monday&utm_campaign=2c25c26130-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_08_21_01_49&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-2c25c26130-483738182

08/20/2026

The Power on Your Plate @ Indiana State Fair!

08/20/2026

🏡Join us for the Indiana Homesteading Conference on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for a day filled with practical workshops, expert speakers, and valuable resources for anyone interested in homesteading, sustainable living, gardening, livestock, food preservation, and small farm management. Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand your knowledge, you'll leave with ideas and skills you can put to use at home.

📝Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Check-In: Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds 5700 Airport Road Bloomington, IN 47403
Registration Options
Full-Day Conference
Attend all conference sessions throughout the day.
Lunch is included with full-day registration.
Early Bird: $20.00 (payment received by September 1, 2026)
Regular Registration: $25.00 (after September 1, 2026)
Half-Day Conference
Attend one educational track consisting of 2 consecutive sessions.
Early Bird: $10.00 (payment received by September 1, 2026)
Regular Registration: $15.00 (after September 1, 2026)

✉️How to Register
Complete this registration form: https://bit.ly/HomesteadingConference2026 and submit your payment (cash or check payable to Purdue University) to Purdue Extension–Monroe County. 3400 South Walnut St Bloomington, Indiana. Office is open Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Closed Holidays.
Registration Deadline: October 9, 2026
Payment is nonrefundable.
We look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning, connecting with fellow homesteaders, and gaining practical knowledge to help you grow, preserve, and sustain your homestead!
Once you have completed registration and payment, a welcome packet will be sent to you via email!

Questions? Contact Purdue Extension-Monroe County at 812-349-2575. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Closed Holidays

08/20/2026

Learn what it takes to build a sustainable garden in your community with Purdue Extension's Grass To Garden Virtual Course!
Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6-8 pm ET.
The $50 course fee includes:
- Four live virtual sessions
- Asynchronous education & activities
- Participant manual & online resource library
- Support from experienced educators

Register at https://cvent.me/DAMMMg

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

For produce growers, knowing which food safety rules apply to your operation matters. A new Purdue Food Science publication explains the difference between the Produce Safety Rule, which establishes standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce, and the Food Traceability Rule, which requires additional records for certain foods as they move through the supply chain.

Get the free publication from the Education Store: https://edustore.purdue.edu/fs-75-w.html

08/17/2026

🌱 Ready to get more from your pastures? 🐄🐑🐐

Whether you're just getting started with managed grazing or looking to strengthen your grazing knowledge, this 2-day Managed Grazing Workshop is designed with you in mind!

Registration: https://mms.indianabeef.org/members/evr/reg_event.php?evid=62871579&orgcode=INBC

📅 August 28 | 1:00–6:00 p.m.
📅 August 29 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
📍 Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) – Dubois, Indiana

Learn practical, research-based strategies that can help improve pasture health, forage production, and livestock performance. Topics include:
🌿 Pasture evaluation
🌱 Plant identification
📐 Paddock design
🍀 Forage species selection
🚰 Fence and water systems
🌎 Basic soil management
🐄 Livestock nutritional needs
⚠️ Plant-induced livestock disorders
…and much more!

This workshop is a great opportunity to connect with fellow producers and gain tools you can apply to your operation right away.

Hosted by the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Forage Council, Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, and Purdue Extension.