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May 15, 2020
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Virus ‘shock waves’
Farmers markets reopen Products, vendors limited; new rules
COVID-19 blamed for huge drop in ag economy index
By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
INDIANAPOLIS — Restrictions at farmers markets due to COVID-19 are expected to continue through June, said Kelli Whiting, coordinator of temporary food events at Marion County Health Department. Whiting was a speaker during a webinar hosted by the Indiana Uplands Food Network. “We have limited the farmers markets to be essential products, such as whole, uncut produce, meats, eggs and cheese,” she said. The rules and recommendations may vary by each county’s health department, so it’s important to do your homework before heading to the market. “We’re basically limiting the number of vendors that can come,” Whiting said. “We also want them to do social distancing, where they take measures to draw with chalk or tape lines 6 feet apart. “We want them to limit the number of people that come into the market. We also have guidelines for sanitizing. For this virus, you have to use an extremely strong beach solution.” Vendors should not participate if they are ill, particularly if they show any flu-like symptoms. Purdue Extension published best practice guidelines for markets in the midst of the pandemic: n Do not allow anyone to attend or work the market if they are ill, showing signs of illness, or have had contact with someone sick or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks. n Promote social distancing by enforcing a 6- to 10-foot space between vendor booths. n Ensure people wear face coverings per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. n Encourage proper social distancing restrictions of at least 6 feet between individuals. n Advise that everyone at the market wash their hands before and after attending.
By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
AGRINEWS PHOTO/ERICA QUINLAN
Trees are removed on a property in Indiana. Woodland management controls undesirable plants and improves wildlife habitat.
WOOD WORK Extension forester shares woodland management tips By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Managing woodlands is a task on the to-do list of many landowners. It involves defining one’s goals for a property and developing a plan of action to meet those goals. Managing woodlands boils down to three main actions: restoration, conservation and cultivation, said Lenny Farlee, Purdue Extension forester, during a webinar. “We’re doing restoration work to take care of some of
the past problems we’ve had on properties,” he explained. “We’re doing conservation work to maintain those benefits to wildlife. “And then we’re actually doing some cultivation work to encourage certain benefits that we’re strongly interested in. That’s what’s behind this idea of forest management. We do this because of, in many cases, that past history of rough use.” Forests may have a history of unmanaged grazing, high grade tree harvesting, invasive species, high numbers of grapevines, or overcrowding. Reasons to manage forests include: n Natural processes have been disrupted by past or present activities or conditions. n Productivity and health can
be enhanced. n Specific benefits and products of interest can be actively encouraged. n To maintain diversity of ages and types of forest across the landscape. n To retain plant and wildlife communities. Woodland management is primarily about managing space and light. This is done by controlling undesirable plants, thinning trees where density is high and harvesting trees to manage light or space and capture value. By creating openings you can manage the canopy density to favor diverse tree species regeneration and habitat types, Farlee said. See WOOD, Page A2
INSIDE
AgriTrucker A11 Alan Guebert A4
Farms For Sale A7 Lifestyle A9
Auction Calendar A7
Livestock A12
Business A10
Opinion A4
Classifieds A8
Weather A6
Vol. 42 No. 33
CONTACT AGRINEWS: 800-426-9438
Feb. 2020
168
March 2020 121 April 2020
96 Source: Purdue/CME Group
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
SEE PAGE A8
Handle face mask with care before you eat A9
Ag Economy Barometer
By Ashley Langreck
CLASSIFIEDS
Ethanol industry feels impact of pandemic A7
See VIRUS, Page A2
State faces reopening challenges
See MARKETS, Page A2
Hoosiers seek alternative meat sources A3
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Ag Economy Barometer dropped to a three-year low in April due to coronavirus concerns, commodity price declines and supply-chain disruptions. “Over the past two months, producers have felt the first shock waves being created by the coronavirus,” said James Mintert, director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Disruptions in the supply chain are causing many to look at ways they can mitigate risk in this uncertain environment and sharp declines in commodity prices have added significant financial pressure on many U.S. farming operations.” The Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations declined sharply. “The biggest decline, especially over the last two months, has been in the Index of Current Conditions, which fell to 72 from 111 last month, and all the way from 154 two months ago,” Mintert said.
AGRINEWS PHOTO/ERICA QUINLAN
Produce fills the shelves at Wilson Farm Market in Arcadia, Indiana. Reduce the stress of choosing healthy meals by planning ahead.
Eat healthy with less stress By Erica Quinlan
before they eat, said Monica Nagele, Purdue Extension educator in Montgomery County, during a webinar. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — If you have no idea The stress of choosing healthy meals can be what to eat for dinner tonight, you’re not alone. reduced by planning ahead. About 85% of Americans have no idea what’s Learn more about healthy eating at www.eatgoing to be for dinner until just a few hours gathergo.org. AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
MEAL PLANNING “Plan to eat healthy ahead of time,” Nagele said. “Choose healthy foods to make, then shop or have those items on hand. Keep healthy snacks easily accessible. “If you know you’ll be eating out later, then plan to eat healthier foods at other meal times during the day. This is also a good skill to give your kids if you have them, and to be a good food role model.”
PORTION CONTROL “A key concept of healthy eating is portion control,” Nagele said. “Use measuring cups or food scales to teach yourself those portions, so you can then become familiar with when you see it on your plate. “Be familiar with serving sizes and reading those food labels. If you choose to indulge, do so in a way where you feel satisfied without overdoing it.”
PERSONALIZE IT “Finally, eat for your personal health,” Nagele said. “Nutrition is not ‘one size fits all,’ despite what fad diets and headlines might tell you. “So, if you hate cauliflower, don’t eat it. Food is not your enemy. It’s important to find healthy eating habits that fit your preferences and your budget, and something you can maintain over time.”
INDIANAPOLIS — As a majority of Indiana begins to open back up after the shelter-in-place order put in place several weeks ago to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is lifted, Hoosiers have to start learning to adjust to a new way of living. This includes farmers and those who work in the agriculture industry as they navigate changing grain and livestock markets and begin the 2020 planting season. “It certainly takes some time to get through some challenges,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. First and foremost, Kettler said it is crucial for farmers who are getting ready to start planting, as well as those who are involved in the agriculture industry, to remember that if they are sick, then they need to stay home, follow health and safety guidelines and to stay out of the workplace. “Spring planting is much better than last year, which is positive,” Kettler said, adding that he is anxious to see how much more planting is done this week. Kettler said as he talks with other state leaders and health experts about the best way to reopen meat processing plants and help agriculture businesses keep going, he keeps reminding people that they need to stay positive as the world around them changes. See STATE, Page A2