03/16/11 Marshall County Farm Bureau and Purdue Extension are sponsoring an afternoon and evening program on Thursday, March 17, on pertinent information for area farmers. The program will start at 3:00 pm with a light meal at 6:00 pm and evening program to follow. The meeting will be held in the Marshall County Extension Office in room 304. The afternoon session will discuss wind farm opportunities and concerns and Marshall County Zoning ordinance. The evening session will be a discussion on crop production, irrigation opportunities, and new agriculture fertilizer certification rule. The evening session is approved as a private applicator recertification program.
With businesses contacting land owners about contracts for wind farms in our county, we felt having a discussion on this topic would be beneficial for those being asked to sign contracts and those living in the neighborhood of these proposed wind farms. The afternoon program agenda:
3:00 pm Curt Emanuel, Clinton County Purdue Extension Educator, will provide background on wind farms, why here in Indiana, and the pros and cons of this industry to a community; 3:45 pm Justin Schneider, Indiana Farm Bureau Staff Attorney, will discuss the legal aspects of signing contracts, what you should consider, who should help you in this process, and 4:30 pm Ralph Booker, Marshall County Plan Director, will share the Marshall County Zoning Ordinances and process for a wind farm to be permitted in our county. At 5:00 pm, we will have a question and answer session.
From 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, those wishing to receive credited for the evening program as a Private Applicator Certification Program can sign in. Remember to bring your private applicator license needed to sign in and your required $10 fee to receive PARP credit. Dinner will be served at 5:50 pm.
Evening Session will address irrigation, managing corn for high yields, and Indiana Agriculture Certification Rule. Evening Agenda: 6:30 pm Bob Nielsen, Purdue Corn Specialist, will share a presentation on “Growin’ Good Corn: Rocket Science or Common Sense?” Essentials for having healthy and productive corn; 7:30 pm Lyndon Kelly, Purdue Irrigation Specialist, sharing a presentation on making irrigation pay, he will discuss where irrigation fits to enhance crop health and yields and scheduling the water for crop performance and efficiencies; 8:30 pm Bob Yoder, Marshall County Purdue Extension Educator, will discuss the new Indiana Agricultural Fertilizer Rule and explain how it impacts private applicator and the commercial industry. 9:00 pm adjourn.
If you would like to participate in this program, please call the Marshall County Extension Office 935-8545 or e-mail Bob Yoder ryoder@purdue.edu by Wednesday, March 16, so adequate food, refreshments, seating, and handouts will be available for this afternoon and evening program. Please specify what parts of the program you plan to attend and if you plan to participate in the evening meal being pizza, salad, and dessert. Again, the program will be held on Thursday, March 17.
