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Indiana State Parks

Some Indiana State Parks will be temporarily closed to the public for deer hunts on Dec. 2-3, 2024. The properties will be closed on the evening before the hunt and reopen the morning after. Only individuals selected from the draw may participate at any site.

Participating properties include:

Brown County State Park

Chain O’Lakes State Park

Charlestown State Park

Clifty Falls State Park

Fort Harrison State Park

Harmonie State Park

Lincoln State Park

McCormick’s Creek State Park

O’Bannon Woods State Park

Ouabache State Park

Pokagon State Park and Trine State Recreation Area

Potato Creek State Park

Prophetstown State Park

Raccoon State Recreation Area

Shades State Park

Shakamak State Park

Spring Mill State Park and Cave River Valley Natural Area

Summit Lake State Park

Tippecanoe River State Park

Turkey Run State Park

Versailles State Park

Whitewater Memorial State Park

Deer hunts in Indiana State Parks are carried out to ensure balanced and healthy natural communities and are a necessary management tool that reduces damaging state park deer populations. The hunts manage the impact white-tailed deer have on natural ecosystems, including on rare plants like the Yellow Lady's Slipper. Biologists from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources determine the need for a reduction annually on a park-by-park basis. Reducing deer populations ensures habitat for many sensitive species of flora and fauna protected in our state parks. Information about these hunts can be found at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

Indiana Pork was a proud sponsor of the 2024 World Food Championships, which took place this month in Indianapolis. Through its sponsorship, Indiana Pork aimed to promote proper cooking temperatures of pork, educate youth competitors about pork, and engage with some of the best-known Indiana chefs in the restaurant and catering industry.

The World Food Championships is an annual culinary event that attracts thousands of competitors and food lovers from around the globe. This sponsorship offered Indiana Pork a unique opportunity to showcase pork as a versatile, delicious, and nutritious protein that enhances any meal, whether prepared in home kitchens or by expert chefs on a competitive stage.

As the sponsor of the Junior Chef competition, each team was provided a pork tenderloin from Indiana Pork and had 90 minutes to prepare a dish using pork tenderloin that captured the essence of "healthy fresh." Contestants were allowed to use other ingredients that they chose but had to supply those ingredients themselves.

Contestants spanned the ages of 9-17 and traveled from all across the country to compete. Indiana teams were well represented during the awards ceremony. Carmel High School senior Julia Hohne and sous chef junior Maddie Arroyo finished first, receiving $1,500 for their pork gorditas. Brownsburg junior Claire Siglar and sous chef Mooresville junior Elizabeth Starr took third place and received $400.

Matt Paschen, Cass County pig farmer and chair of the Indiana Pork promotions committee, shared the organization’s excitement about participating in the event. “We’re thrilled to support an event like the World Food Championships, which aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the profile of pork in the culinary world. By connecting directly with chefs, influencers, junior chefs, and consumers, we were able to highlight how pork provides flavor, nutrition, and creativity in cooking.”

The World Food Championships is recognized for its high-energy atmosphere and for the first time, was held in Indiana at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Indiana Pork’s sponsorship included multiple cooking demonstrations by local chefs, featuring pork loin recipes that were easy to make for an at-home chef.

By sponsoring the World Food Championships, Indiana Pork continues its efforts to promote the exceptional taste and value of pork to a broader audience while supporting chefs who create amazing dishes for their restaurant attendees.

For more information about Indiana Pork, please visit www.indianapork.org.

Carmel High School senior Julia Hohne and sous chef junior Maddie Arroyo finished first in the World Food Junior Championships, receiving $1,500 for their pork gorditas. Indiana Pork served as sponsor and provided pork loins to each competing team.

Beef and dairy cattle producers are invited to attend Purdue Extension’s Calving Academy. This hands-on event will cover topics including cow restraint, calf manipulation, and triaging the neonatal calf. Dr. Bethany Funnell (DVM, DACT), clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine is the program instructor. Cost to attend is $50 per person. Attendance with a set of OB chains and handles is $200. Attendance with a stainless-steel bucket, cup and beta dine scrub is $150.

There are four locations to participate in a Calving Academy. The closest location to Washington County is:
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the Feldun Purdue Ag. Center (1117 State Road 458, Bedford, IN 47421) from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Other locations include:
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the Don Strauss Animal Center at Huntingburg University in Huntington, IN from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Decatur County Extension Office (545 S. County Road 200 W., Greensburg, IN 47240) from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Purina Pavilion in Creighton Hall at Purdue University (270 S. Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47907) from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Registration is required before Thursday, December 5, 2024 via https://web.cvent.com/event/cb611d3b-9f26-4ab1-8641-861acf9df1aa/summary.

For more information contact Nick Minton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 765-494-8179.

Business

Indiana Grown Holiday Box highlights local businesses for the second year

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 28, 2024) – Today, Indiana Grown has announced the contents of the 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box, the perfect gift for your friends and family this holiday season. This year's gift box will showcase a variety of products from Indiana Grown members located across the state including coffees, sweet treats and body care items. Indiana Grown is a statewide initiative housed within the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to highlight local products and artisan goods.

“The Indiana Grown Holiday Box is a great way to support local businesses and share a taste of the Hoosier State with your loved ones during the season of giving,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Inside this box, there is certainty something for everyone.”

Each box includes:

Coffee Samplers - JavAroma Roasters - Mitchell, IN
Blueberry Lemon Granola - Perkins' Good Earth Farm - DeMotte, IN
Snack Sticks - Pig's Tale Charcuterie - Indianapolis, IN
Hoosier Style Popcorn - Poptique - Columbia City, IN
Honey Lotion Bar - Sweet Melissa Honey & Hive - Fishers, IN
Pretzels - Tell City Pretzels - Jasper, IN
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans - Simply Jill's - Lebanon, IN
Spice Mixes - SPICEKICK- Carmel, IN
Travel Sized Holiday Scented Lotions - The Lotion Company - Muncie, IN

“We are honored to be highlighting these small businesses through the second annual Indiana Grown Holiday Box” said Caroline Patrick, director of Indiana Grown. “The opportunity to continue highlighting local products throughout Indiana especially during the holiday season is an honor.”

The 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box is limited to 390 boxes. Click here to place your order.

Learn more about Indiana Grown at indianagrown.org.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN–09) has joined a letter to House Leadership supporting the full reauthorization of the Farm Bill by the end of the 118th Congress.

Farmers are currently operating under policies put in place in 2018. Six years later, these outdated policies restrict the growth of our nation’s agricultural community. Production expenses have increased by roughly 30% since 2018, while 2024 inflation-adjusted net cash farm income projections are the worst in 15 years. Many farmers cannot afford to wait another year for updated provisions to address the challenges they face, especially those growing major row crops.

In late May, the House Committee on Agriculture introduced the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, developed with input from farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders at listening sessions and town hall events across the country. The bill also included input from the entire Republican Conference and included over 2,600 priorities submitted to the committee by members of Congress.

In their letter supporting the reauthorization of a 5-year Farm Bill, the Members reaffirm their commitment to advancing a bill that meets the needs of production agriculture and rural America. Congresswoman Houchin is dedicated to finding a solution for American farmers.

“Reauthorizing the Farm Bill is critical to supporting our farmers and keeping our agricultural economy strong,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “I will continue to fight for policies that uplift our rural communities and that ensure our farmers and producers have the support they need to succeed.”