K NOW Y OUR N EIGHBOR Tom Schwenk named Indiana Master Farmer

On July 11, Fulton County farmer Tom Schwenk was awarded the Indiana Master Farmer award at a ceremony in Salem. According to Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture, “The Master Farmer program is a long-standing tradition in Indiana and honors individuals who have contributed to Indiana agriculture and demonstrated success in farming efficiency, stewardship of natural resources and community service.”

Schwenk was nominated for the award by Dr. Jim Fritz, who was just one of the community members providing letters of support.

“I sure appreciate the nice things they said about me,” Schwenk commented.

The award also happens to come in the 67-year-old Schwenk’s 50th planting season.

“I started in high school,” he recalled. He rented ground at 17 years of age.

In fact, two years ago, the Schwenk family farm was recognized with the Indiana Centennial Farm Award, given to family farms over 100 years old. He maintains a 150-year-old wooden barn on his property.

In 1988, Schwenk began im- plementing no-till farm practices with soybeans after attending several no-till conferences, where he listened to farmers share their ideas.

The goal, he explained, is to build up the natural soil structure below the surface. The result, in combination with pattern tiling, is increased arability, stronger root structure, less

Doubles Horseshoe Tournament

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Fulton Park

Using Tournament Horseshoes Only

• 1:30-2:00 Registration & Warmups

• Entry Fee = $10 per team

• Teams Self-Referee

• Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd

• Teams may be Male/Female/Coed

If you pre-register, put this in the Drop Box at Fulton Library.

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ________________________________ Home Town:__________________________

Name: ________________________________ Phone: ________________________________ Home Town:__________________________ water run-off and the prevention of erosion, which over the long run protects soil resources for generations to come.

Make your check(s) out to Fulton-Liberty Lions Club or you may pay when you register on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Fulton Park.

Along with no-till, Schwenk also uses a vertical till tool to incorporate fertilizer into the top 2-3 inches without disturbing the prairie.

In addition to these practices, Schwenk also protects water resources with filter strips along ditches and grassed waterways.

He has found that such techniques have also translated into increased yields. However, the transition does take time.

“Farmers who are new to notill sometimes get discouraged. … You have to have some faith in it,” said Schwenk. Schwenk’s farm is now able to hold more moisture, which helps hold up the equipment and, crucially, get through dry years.

2023 Euchre Tournament

Saturday, August 5, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

SOUTH PARK PAVILION AT THE LIBERTY TOWNSHIP PARK IN FULTON

ENTRY FEE $10 PER TEAM

- Prizes are based on the number of entries.

- Players must be at least 16 years old.

Early Entries: Drop off at Fulton Library

Player 1: Home Town:____________________________

Player 2: Home Town:____________________________ Phone Contact:__________________________

Game Starts at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the South Park Pavilion in Fulton.

$10 Entry Fee.

• Dirty Clubs • Standard Scoring

As of last spring, 2023 looked to be one of those dry years, said Schwenk; however, “In the last couple weeks it’s amazing how much the crops have responded to the rain we did get.”

And while he concedes the crop may still lose some “top end,” he is not discounting the ability of hybrid seeds to produce a profitable yield.

Schwenk’s good stewardship also extends to the community as a whole. He served as a Fulton County Soil and Water Conser- vation District supervisor for 18 years and was a Rochester School Board member for 12 years, including a five years as president. As a Richland Township Advisory Board member, he was instrumental in the building of the Richland Township Community Hall, which is attached to the Fulton County Historical Society Museum building.

“I’ve tried to be involved in the community. … I take a lot of pride in our town, county and Richland Township,” he said.

APPLES, PEARS VEGETABLES

Organic Inputs & Practices

U-Pick or Ready-Picked

20 Varieties of Apples Ripening from July thru October

Open: Mon., Tues., Wed. 9 am-5 pm

370 N. 500 W., Rochester (Just off SR 14 West) 574-835-1888

Also, see us at these Farmers’ Markets:

Rochester Courthouse: Saturday 8-12

Culver Park: Saturday 9-1