Purdue Extension’s local footprint continues to grow, according to Amy Webster, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator and County Director for Purdue Extension in both Clinton and Carroll counties. Speaking during WILO’s Ag Day 2026 broadcast, Webster shared updates on major extension programs, technological advances, and a renewed push toward community education and food security.

 “We hate to say it, but sometimes extension is one of the best-kept secrets,” Webster said. “People forget about us until they need us, and then they realize how much we can help.”

Expanding Agricultural Education

Webster said training and certification remain key roles for Purdue Extension. Over the past year, the two-county program helped more than 400 people complete classes to maintain or earn pesticide applicator licenses. Those programs—often held in partnership with local agribusinesses—are continuing into 2026.

 “We’ve had great partnerships with groups like Drago for workshops,” Webster explained. “This year our implement dealers and co-ops have really jumped on board. We’ve already held four programs since January.”

Extension’s outreach also includes virtual and hybrid education. Programs such as “Fruitful Fridays” and the “Grain Marketing Navigator Series” have drawn interest from growers of all backgrounds. Online tools now allow participants to interact with university experts without leaving the county.

 “We fired up the watch party for our fruit production class and could ask live questions just like we were in the same room,” Webster said. “Technology has changed how we reach people—it’s been a huge advantage.”

Growing Food Literacy and Local Resilience: “You can grow a garden in a bucket”

Beyond traditional ag education, Webster said Purdue Extension is focusing more on home horticulture and urban gardening as tools to address food insecurity.

“People think they need a big patch of land to garden,” Webster said. “But you can grow food in a five-gallon bucket if you’ve got some sun. We’re teaching folks to start small and make it doable.”

Clinton and Carroll county extension offices are exploring collaborations with food pantries like the one in Michigantown to introduce educational programs and encourage fresh produce donations.

Webster said the Master Gardener program, last offered locally nearly a decade ago, could return soon as part of that effort. Extension is also considering new partnerships that link 4-H youth, family health programs, and food education.

Connecting Agriculture, Health, and Community

Webster emphasized that “agriculture touches everything,” from vehicle materials derived from soybeans to corn-based packaging products. That theme will be part of her presentation to fourth graders during Carroll County’s Ag Day demonstrations on poultry and byproducts.

Extension’s *Food as Medicine* series, led by Health and Human Sciences Educator Karen Jenkins, is another example of outreach that combines nutrition, wellness, and agriculture. The 12-week course shows how diet can lower A1C and improve overall health.

“It’s all connected—agriculture, youth, health,” Webster said. “We’re here to help people find the resources they need to live better and build stronger communities.”

Local residents can learn more about upcoming programs by visiting extension.purdue.edu/Clinton or extension.purdue.edu/Carroll, or by following the counties’ Purdue Extension and 4-H pages on Facebook. Both county offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations in Flora and Frankfort.

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 Melissa Miller and Adam Shanks interviewed leaders in Indiana Agriculture on WILO and Hoosierland TV from 9:30 AM to 2 PM March 18, 2026.

Skiles Electric presented Ag Day 2026 with support from Wampler’s Services Inc., The Farmers Bank, The Community Foundation, Rossville Consolidated School, and First Farmers Bank and Trust.  

Broadcast on Hoosierland TV was produced by Michael Hall. Broadcast on WILO 96.9, Boone 102.7 FM and WILO 1570 was produced by Dacen Brittain.

The post Ag Day 2026: Purdue Extension Highlights Community Impact and Future Goals first appeared on Clinton County Daily News.

Hoosier Ag Today President Eric Pfeiffer told WILO’s Ag Day audience that Indiana farmers are being squeezed by delayed federal farm policy, rising input costs, and global turmoil—even as new state protections aim to shield them from drone harassment over livestock and cropland. He also reflected on the loss of legendary farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson and described a recent ag leadership trip to Africa that he called “life changing.”

Hoosier Ag Today at 20 Years

Pfeiffer said Hoosier Ag Today will mark 20 years on the air later this year, reaching farmers through more than 70 radio signals, daily digital newsletters, and social media platforms, including content carried on WILO 96.9 FM, WILO 1570 AM, Boone 102.7 FM and Hoosierland TV in Clinton, Carroll and Boone Counties.

 “We’ve been doing it for 20 years now…bringing news, weather, market information to farmers, growers, agribusinesses, [and] politicians,”  Pfeiffer said. He added that the network focuses on conditions across all regions of Indiana, as well as national developments, because farmers “like to know what other farmers are facing” beyond their own backyards.

Pfeiffer, whose background is in radio rather than production agriculture, said he feels “incredibly blessed” that Indiana farmers and ag leaders have “taken me under their wing and taught me so much about what they do and what they fight for.” He emphasized that Hoosier Ag Today, instead of being “far left or far right”  is “far agriculture,” explaining, “I don’t care where the idea comes from. If it’s a good idea for agriculture, we’re going to cover it.”

Remembering Farm Broadcasting Icon Orion Samuelson

Pfeiffer also paid tribute to long-time WGN farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson, who died this week at age 91 after six decades on Chicago airwaves and national television. He recalled meeting Samuelson early in his own farm-broadcasting career at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention, where Samuelson encouraged him to run for leadership in the group.

“After the meeting he came up to me and he said, ‘Young man, thank you so much for doing this…If there’s absolutely anything I can do for you, let me know,’ and he handed me a small piece of paper with a cell phone number on it,” Pfeiffer said. He called Samuelson “a kind man” whose life’s work—“advocating for agriculture [and] trying to make the public aware of what agriculture means to America”—made it fitting that he passed during National Agriculture Week.

Eye-Opening Ag Leadership Trip to Africa

Pfeiffer recently returned from a two‑week international trip with Indiana’s Ag Leadership Program, organized by AgriInstitute, that took a group of 28 ag leaders and professionals to Ghana and Kenya. He said participants repeatedly described the experience as “eye‑opening,” “overwhelming,” and “emotional” as they saw widespread poverty, open sewage, and communities struggling to feed themselves.

He said government resistance to genetically modified crops is limiting food production there, even as scientific reviews have not established harm from GMO foods. “To feed that population, that’s what they’re going to need,” Pfeiffer said, noting that African officials are only now having the GMO debate that U.S. agriculture went through years ago. At the same time, he cautioned that Americans should not assume “we’ve got it all figured out,” pointing to African communities where a large share of residents are directly involved in food production, in contrast to how far removed many U.S. consumers are from farms.

Farm Bill Stalled as Costs and Conflicts Rise

On federal policy, Pfeiffer said the 2018 farm bill—intended as a four‑year law—has now been extended twice and is “double its lifespan,” leaving farmers stuck with outdated reference prices and safety net levels as inflation and costs have surged. “It’s time for this thing to get updated. It’s been time for this thing to get updated,” he said.

He noted the House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Rep. G.T. Thompson of Pennsylvania, has advanced a new farm bill on a bipartisan vote, with seven Democrats supporting it, and that Indiana has two members on the panel—Reps. Jim Baird and Mark Messmer—who “are doing a great job representing agriculture.” But he warned that Senate Agriculture leaders plan to take “the next few months” to roll out their own version, likely forcing a lengthy reconciliation and another extension beyond the current Sept. 30 deadline.

Pfeiffer said he expects California’s Proposition 12, which mandates larger confinement space for hogs and has increased pork production costs and retail prices, to be a key sticking point in the Senate. He also pointed to a separate fight over allowing year‑round E‑15 gasoline, arguing that both parties should be able to agree because higher ethanol blends would support corn demand and reduce emissions compared to today’s E‑10 standard.

New Indiana Law Targets Drone Harassment

At the state level, Pfeiffer said agriculture was not a top priority in Indiana’s recent short legislative session, but farm groups focused on stopping several “bad bills” and salvaging one important protection against unauthorized drones. Language now folded into House Bill 1249—signed last week as a broader “various criminal matters” bill—creates penalties for unmanned drones that fly over cropland and livestock barns without permission.

Pfeiffer said poultry producers in northeast Indiana reported drones flying over barns and spraying an unknown substance shortly before flocks were diagnosed with avian influenza, but local sheriffs and federal regulators previously said there was no clear law they could enforce. “Now there’s a law,” Pfeiffer said, explaining that farmers can contact the sheriff’s office when they see unauthorized drones over barns or fields. He noted there are still legal questions about how the new state restrictions interact with federal aviation rules, but called it “good news for agriculture” that farmers now have “some sort of recourse.”

Hoosier Ag Today content, including coverage of these issues, is available at hoosieragtoday.com, where listeners can also sign up for a daily newsletter and find links to the network’s Facebook, X, and YouTube channels.  Hoosier Ag Today reports and commentary can be seen on Clinton County Daily News, Carroll County Daily News, Boone County Daily News and heard on WILO 96.9 FM, Boone 102.7 FM and WILO AM 1570.

The post Pfeiffer: Farm Bill Delays, Price Squeezes, Drone Threats on Farms and Global Turmoil Weigh on Hoosier Farmers first appeared on Clinton County Daily News.

Tight margins and higher input costs continue to pressure Clinton County farmers, but two ag lenders from The Farmers Bank say local producers can still find profitable opportunities in 2026 if they “know their numbers” and stay disciplined with marketing and technology investments. They also reassured listeners that The Farmers Bank’s upcoming merger with First Bank Richmond will not change the bank’s community-focused approach to agriculture lending.

Farm economy: tight but cautiously improving

Drew Cripe, senior vice president of commercial banking at The Farmers Bank, and Jared Stillwell, assistant vice president of ag and commercial banking, told WILO’s Ag Day audience that most row-crop operations are coming off “three years of tight margin years.” Stillwell said working capital remains tight, but farmer sentiment has begun to improve compared to the recent past. He pointed to a recent WASDE  (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates) report projecting a record corn crop and higher ending stocks, which could pressure corn prices, and roughly 91 million acres of soybeans this year.

“I think overall sentiment from farmers is growing,” Stillwell said, while noting it is “probably not where it was” in the strongest years but “better than it has been the last couple of years.” He added that recent rallies in commodity markets have been offset by rising fertilizer and fuel costs, making it critical for producers to maintain a solid handle on break-even levels.

Cripe said he is “a little more optimistic for this year” than in the recent past, pointing out that since the start of the year there have been “a lot of marketing opportunities” that did not exist last year. He emphasized that profitability in 2026 will vary widely depending on each farm’s cost structure and marketing decisions.

Marketing, storage and cost control

Both lenders stressed that on-farm grain storage and disciplined marketing can be difference-makers in a tight-margin environment. Cripe said some farmers who were able to store grain saw “two dollar a bushel” improvements on soybeans and “sixty to seventy-five cents” on corn compared with selling at harvest. Those without storage or in need of year-end cash often had to move grain at less favorable prices.

“As far as marketing advice, I always tell people, you know, make gradual sales,” Cripe said. “All of our successful operators have a very good handle on their numbers. Every single one of them.” He encouraged producers to know their break-even costs and make incremental sales when opportunities appear, rather than trying to time the market with large single moves.

On the cost side, Stillwell said many farmers are trimming “additives” and biological products that are harder to prove out in a year when budgets are tight. “I’m hearing a lot of guys say, ‘I’m not going to maybe put that extra money in those items. I’m gonna go for the things that’ll guarantee me a return,’” he said. Most, he added, are not skipping fertilizer but are focusing on inputs that clearly pencil out.

Technology and scale decisions

The discussion also touched on emerging technology, from drones to precision planting and “see-and-spray” systems. Stillwell said few of The Farmers Bank’s customers are buying drones outright, but some are exploring hired drone services to make more targeted applications.

Cripe noted that advanced technology often comes down to “size and scale.” Larger operators, he said, generally already use features like automatic shutoffs and site-specific application because the investment pays back faster. For smaller farms, those tools “take a lot longer” to pay off and may need to be evaluated over five, ten or even fifteen years. “It’s tough to do after a tight margin year,” he said, “but they’ll pay if you can pay for it.”

Merger reassurance: ‘business as usual’ for ag

Listeners also heard an update on The Farmers Bank’s planned merger with First Bank Richmond, a deal announced last fall that will create a larger community bank with branches across eastern and central Indiana. Cripe said that, even after the transaction, The Farmers Bank will remain “the smallest bank in this community” and that its ag lending team will stay in place in Frankfort.

“As far as directly today, the question you’re asking is, for the ag producers, it’s not going to change,” Cripe said. “Our ag lending staff is still in place. The process that they go through and the people they talk to for their operating needs will not change… it’s going to be business as usual.” He emphasized that both institutions share a community-bank philosophy, with Farmers Bank marking its 150th anniversary this year and First Bank Richmond having served its region for well over a century.

Advice for young and established producers

Looking ahead, Stillwell encouraged young people considering careers in agriculture or agribusiness to “look at the long term,” saying “the long term is positive for the ag economy.” He urged students to focus on what they want to do and to build a strong network, citing his own Purdue connections and ongoing conversations with classmates now working across the ag industry.

For those from non-farm backgrounds who want to enter production agriculture, Cripe cautioned that “it’s going to be a hard road” but said there will be opportunities for those willing to start with difficult, hands-on work and learn from experienced operators.

Both bankers closed by inviting producers to reach out directly. They said growers can visit The Farmers Bank’s main Frankfort branch, where Cripe, Stillwell and fellow ag lender Taryn Wainscott are based, or call the main line at 765-654-8731 to discuss financing, cost management and marketing strategies ahead of planting.

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WILO and Hoosierland TV Hosts Melissa Miller and Adam Shanks interviewed leaders in Indiana Agriculture from 9:30 AM to 2 PM March 18, 2026.

Skiles Electric presented Ag Day 2026 with support from Wampler’s Services Inc., The Farmers Bank, The Community Foundation, Rossville Consolidated School, and First Farmers Bank and Trust.  

Broadcast on Hoosierland TV was produced by Michael Hall. Broadcast on WILO 96.9, Boone 102.7 FM and WILO 1570 was produced by Dacen Brittain.

The post On-Farm Storage, Smart Marketing Key to Surviving Tight Margin Years, Bankers Say first appeared on Clinton County Daily News.

Healthy Communities of Clinton County is expanding free fitness, tobacco cessation, mental health and family support programs this spring, with local leaders expecting hundreds of residents to take part in efforts that range from Zumba classes to a mental health 5K and a growing community garden.

Speaking on WILO’s Party Line, Chris Ward, director of peer recovery at Healthy Communities, said the coalition’s growing slate of services is designed to meet residents “where they are,” from people trying to quit smoking to parents in recovery and families facing food insecurity. He credited Clinton County’s collaborative approach — including city and county government, courts and community partners — with making it possible to “wrap around” residents with practical help and long-term recovery support.

“Everyone works together for the same vision,” Ward said. “I think that’s highly unique to Clinton County and I’m proud of it.”

Free fitness classes for all levels

Ward said fitness has become a key part of his own recovery and that Healthy Communities now offers free entry-level classes that are open to all fitness levels. On Mondays, the Trinity Hope Center hosts free Zumba from 4 to 4:30 p.m., and on Thursdays it offers “pound” classes that participants can even do seated if needed.

“These are classes of all fitness levels,” Ward said. “I have an uncontrollable gag reflex at the thought of cardio and I can do these things,” he joked, adding that instructor Tammy Cogert “turns into a unicorn” when the music starts.

Tobacco cessation: “Find your pot of gold”

Ward highlighted Healthy Communities’ tobacco prevention and cessation work, which connects local residents to the statewide Indiana Quit Now program. He said smokers who enroll and qualify can receive a free four‑week combination pack of nicotine replacement products to help them quit.

Ward used a handout to underscore the financial cost of smoking, noting that one pack a day at roughly $11 adds up to more than $4,000 a year — money he compared to “thirteen hundred gallons of gas, three to five months of groceries for a family of four, or a literal vacation for a family of four.” He described quitting as “finding your pot of gold,” emphasizing that the goal is support, not judgment, for people who may smoke one, two or more packs a day.

Mental health 5K and kids run

Healthy Communities’ annual mental health 5K has become “a crown jewel” for the coalition, Ward said, with organizers expecting about 700 participants this year at Prairie Creek Park in Frankfort. The event, themed “I wanna taco ’bout mental health,” features taco‑shaped medals and a new kids run that begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 5K walk/run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9.

Registration is $5, which Ward called “the cheapest 5K you’re going to find,” with the fee primarily covering medals. “Word on the street says there might be some tacos in the works,” he added.

Support for mothers and recovery

Ward said Healthy Communities also offers extensive support for mothers and families through programs led by staff member Libby Smith. The coalition provides diapers, wipes, formula and other supplies, and Smith coordinates “Mommy Time,” a group for new mothers who are in recovery or striving to be.

“She has a heart for kids, that’s for sure,” Ward said, describing Smith as “a servant through and through” who “will go the extra mile for anyone.” He said the group helps mothers navigate the adversity of early parenthood while maintaining sobriety and mental wellness.

“The magic sauce” of recovery

Drawing on his own experience, Ward said successful recovery requires embracing discomfort and working through unresolved trauma rather than seeking constant comfort. “Change will not come from comfort,” he said. “It requires discomfort. You have to have it.”

Ward said many of the people he serves began using drugs very young, sometimes even with family members, which can stunt emotional development and make adult decision‑making more difficult. “Our intellectual maturation process ceases at the time we start abusing substances,” he said. He described therapy and trauma work as essential to long‑term change: “There has to be a process associated with getting rid of that poison…then everything else just seems to start to fall in place.”

Wraparound help and community garden

Ward emphasized that Healthy Communities uses “systems of care navigators” to help people stabilize basic needs such as housing, food and transportation before expecting progress in recovery. “People like me can’t help you if you’re in active addiction and you don’t know where you’re going to sleep or get your next meal,” he said.

The coalition also operates a community garden behind its office at 1234 Rossville Avenue in Frankfort, where new raised beds are being assembled this spring. Staff and volunteers tend the garden, harvest vegetables and place them in baskets in the lobby for residents who may be experiencing food insecurity. “They can come in, they can grab all these fruits and vegetables right there,” Ward said.

Residents can learn more about programs, events and classes by visiting Healthy Communities’ Facebook page, stopping by the office at 1234 Rossville Avenue or calling 765‑659‑6063.

The post Ward: ‘Change Will Not Come From Comfort’ as Area Grows Recovery Services first appeared on Clinton County Daily News.