The breeding stock can be used to start a livestock enterprise or add animals to an existing operation. Resources to develop a breeding program or improve the quality of an existing breeding program are also eligible for the 4‐H/FFA youth livestock grant.

Only Non‐Profits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply for fund for this program.

The Non‐Profits with 501(c)(3) status will solicit applications from eligible 4‐H and/or FFA members. The Non‐Profits with 501(c)(3) status will then select 4‐H/FFA members projects they wish to request funds for. The 501(c)(3) organization will then apply for funds from ISDA. ISDA will then award grant funds to the Non‐Profits with 501(c)(3) status.

In turn the Non‐Profits with 501(c)(3) status must then award the grant funds to an Indiana youth that is currently a 4‐H and/or FFA members in good standing are eligible for the ISDA 4‐H/FFA Youth Livestock Grant. Eligible projects under this grant award include purchasing (Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goats, Rabbits or Poultry) breeding stock, purchasing resources to develop a breeding program or improving the quality of an existing breeding program with one of these species. The youth must reside in Indiana and any livestock or resources purchased using the grant funds must be located on a farm in Indiana.

Maximum award amount:  beef/dairy = $500 — sheep/swine/goat = $150 — poultry/rabbit = $75

NOTE – Carroll County Agriculture Association will sponsor any qualified interested student.  Please contact the Ag Association at:

Carroll County Ag Association

The deadline for all grants is May 1, 2012.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Winners will be announced by May 15^th, 2012

Livestock grant press release_2

Livestock_Youth_Grant_032212

Livestock_Youth_Grant_Sample_Application

New_Vendor_Form(2)

I’m writing today to warn you of a scam that is being sent to farmers with fax machines.  We have at least one local reported incident and there have been many nationwide.  The fax comes from the “USDA” with our logo and letterhead signed by a “Frank Rutenberg”.  I have attached to this notice an example of what this will look like.  The fax asks for personal banking information so that they may get into and withdraw money from your account.  Do not respond to this fax.  Please report any incidents of this scam to me so I can report it to Washington, DC.

If you received this fax and have already responded with your banking information, immediately notify your banking institution of this incident.  We also encourage you to notify your local law enforcement agency.

If you are ever asked for personal information (especially banking information or your social security number) over the phone, through email or by fax, be very suspicious.  Please feel free to call us if you have any questions about any of this.

Morgan Thornburg

Carroll County Executive Director

765-564-2849

Phishing Attempt

March 30th from 12:00 – 1:30 PM, Purdue Extension – Carroll County and The Andersons will host the Prospective Plantings Outlook Luncheon at The Andersons facility in Delphi.

Dr. Chris Hurt and Dr. Corinne Alexander, Purdue University agricultural economists, will be available by webinar and will help farmers and agribusinesses make sense of the annual U.S. Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks report.

This report is the first to indicate what U.S. farmers intend to plant and has the potential to have a major impact on new crop prices as U.S. corn stocks continue to be extremely tight.

The webinar will offer analysis and market strategies for producers heading into the 2012 crop season.  Please RSVP to Ben Stoller, Account Representative with The Andersons, at 574-737-2493.

If you have any questions, contact Andrea Brown at the Purdue Extension – Carroll County office at 765-564-3169.

You are invited….to the celebration which retires the bond for the TIF District that includes the IPC plant.

The Carroll County Redevelopment Commission, Carroll County Redevelopment Authority and Carroll County Economic Development Corp. will host a community celebration, “The Future is Now,” at 2 p.m., March 20, at Delphi United Methodist Church, 1796 U.S. 421, Delphi. The public is invited.

“Twenty years ago, the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission and Carroll County Redevelopment Authority made a significant investment in our economic development potential, issuing a $4.775 million bond to fund sewer and water line extensions in the county and to upgrade the Delphi Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Larry Trapp, Carroll County Redevelopment Commission president.

“The bond has now been repaid. To mark the occasion and to transfer easements to the city of Delphi, we are hosting this event.”

The program will include brief remarks by county officials and a short performance by Delphi High School music students, The Entertainers.

Scholarship checks were presented to the 2011 Scholarship winners Jarvis Simmons and Grace Mears, and Scholarship certificates were presented to the 2012 winners, Chad Griffin and Ricky  Burns.

The evening rounded out with the featured presentation to the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees.  Steve Ashby and Dwaine Ward were recognized for their contributions to agriculture, and Carroll White REMC was recognized as the business awardee for its more than 70 years of service to the agriculture community.

(click on image for larger view)

View a slideshow of the evening’s activities

You are invited to join the Carroll County Agriculture Association for the Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame Banquet on Monday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the 4H Community Building in Flora.

Custom Select will be catering the meal, followed by a business meeting.  Come listen to Greg Slipher, Indiana Farm Bureau Livestock Development Specialist, as he shares tips on, “Reducing Your Chances of Being a Star on YouTube.”

The event will feature scholarship awards and the 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees.

Again this year, as part of our celebration, we are asking for your donations to help support the Carroll County 4H Fair.

We also invite you to become a member (or renew your membership) of Carroll County Agriculture Association.

Tickets are $10, and you can download the reservation form, below.

Hope to see you, there!

2012 Invitation 02-13

2012 Membership Form-4H Support-Annual Meeting

Agenda includes:

• 8:00 – 8:30 AM Registration, Coffee & Donuts
• 8:30 – 9:30 AM Corn Management Practices That Help Stress-Proof The Crop – Bob Nielson, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist
• 9:30 – 9:45 AM Regulatory Topic – Andrea Brown, Purdue Extension
• 9:45 – 10:45 AM Herbicide and Weed Update – Bill Johnson, Purdue Weed Science
• 10:45 – 11:45 AM Market Outlook – Risk Management Commodities

More information and registration available here:  2012MarchPARPLetter

Registration by March 2 (Friday) is requested.

Purdue Extension Carroll County and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a workshop for small business owners and farm owners that will help prepare their businesses for the future. Join us on March 15, 2012 at the Wabash & Erie Canal Center in Delphi for the workshop, Succession and Estate Planning: Having the Conversation. The program fee is $10 and the registration deadline is March 12th.

Come hear Dr. Angela Gloy and our own Dr. Janet Ayres for some insight on “getting the ball rolling” in estate planning.

More information and registration available here: SuccessionPlanningwithChamber

Soil Health MCCC-Brochurepub_

Final Soil Health Workshop Agenda 3-1-12 (1)

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education^SM (AFGRE), a Monsanto Fund program, gives farmers in 1,245 counties across 39 states the opportunity to nominate their public school district to compete for a grant of up to $25,000.

The nomination period takes place January 6 – April 15, 2012.

Thank you for being a part of the Monsanto Fund’s efforts to improve education in rural America. Together, we can grow the next generation of America’s farmers.

Watch the video and nominate your local school district, today.

Vote Here – Grow Rural Education

The Challenge, a second-year program now available to more than 3,300 FFA chapters and over 236,000 FFA members, started collecting votes on Monday, January 16 and as of Monday, February 13, Indiana is in third place with 1,770 total votes behind Missouri and Tennessee. A complete state-by-state leaderboard is available at FFA Chapter Challange Leaderboard

The top 200 FFA chapters that make the most connections and receive the most farmer votes by February 29 will be awarded a line of credit ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 from the National FFA Organization. As a sponsor of the program, Monsanto will provide more than $300,000 in incentives.

Visit FFA Chapter Challange to cast your vote TODAY!

For more information click the link below:

Registration and Information – IN Livestock, Forage & Grain Forum

Because of the valuable service the Carroll County Sheriff and the Reserve Program provide to Carroll County Farmers, the Carroll County Agriculture Association is pleased to help support the purchase of this vehicle, matching donations from CCAA members towards the purchase of the vehicle.

Thanks to your generous support, the Sheriff’s Reserve now has a 2008 Dodge Charger!  See the pictures (below).  Additionally, come see the car on display at the CCAA Member Meeting Saturday, January 28 at 9:00 a.m.

At this meeting, the Board will take nominations for the Board.  Dean Scott and George Mears’ terms will expire at the Annual Meeting.

Come to the meeting to meet and talk with Morgan Thornburg, the Executive Director for the Carroll County Farm Services Agency Office.  Morgan will speak about the current Farm Program and will answer questions you might have.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is available once again in 2012.  Applications are taken on a continuous basis and are considered for approval during certain funding periods.  The deadline for applications to be considered for funding this year is January 27, 2012.

More detailed information about the Conservation Stewardship Program can be found on the Indiana NRCS web site

NRCS – USDA Conservation Reserve Program

Or, from the attached brochure:  CSP Brochure

Or – Call the Delphi office:  765-564-2849, Extension 3

Dates and courses are

More information, including registration information can be found at the attached brochure:

Purdue Management Academy 2012 – Brochure

The 2012 Central Indiana Pork Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Rossville High School.  This annual event sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Purdue School of Agriculture provides valuable information and updates to producers.

What options exist to modify facilities to improve biosecurity, particularly against PRRS? What were the results of the recent EPA Air Quality Study and how might these impact producers? What is the current regulatory Climate and how will it impact producers?

Sponsored by the Clinton County Pork Producers and the Clinton County Extension Service

More information and registration materials available on the attached brochure:

2012 Central Indiana Pork Conference Brochure

Annual Report

cafo_self_inspection 2012_sheets

- On farm energy initiative: This initiative provides payments to reimburse participants for conducting on farm energy audits. If a participant already has had an audit completed, and the audit reveals the need for energy saving practices, EQIP may be able to assist with paying for the energy saving practices. The attachment provides more information about payment rates and eligible practices.

- Seasonal high tunnel initiative. This initiative provides financial assistance for a practice called a seasonal high tunnel. An attachment is provided that explains the practice in more detail. This initiative has been available in other states for a couple of years, but it is new to Indiana this year.

More detailed information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program can be found on the Indiana NRCS web site: NRCS – USDA – EQIP Home Page

Guidelines can be downloaded for more information –

2012 EQIP On Farm Energy Initiative Practices

2012 EQIP General Signup Practice Guidelines

SeasonalHighTunnel_JobSheet_Pages 1 and 2

Of course, folks can also call the Delphi office for more information – 765-564-2849, Extension 3.