The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today the hiring of Clark Smith as director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency (IGBWLA).
A southern Indiana native, Smith was raised in Brownstown, IN. He and his wife now manage and oversee a family Angus cattle herd near Greenfield, IN. Smith attended Indiana University for his bachelor’s degree and graduated from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University in 2019 with a Master of Business Administration focused on marketing and data analytics.
Previous to ISDA, Smith spent his professional career with Corteva Agriscience in crop protection management.
ISDA Director Don Lamb is excited to welcome Smith to the team.
“Farming is a financial business with a lot of risks. The goal of IGBWLA is to help mitigate some of those risks and ensure financial security and stability,” said Lamb. “We are looking forward to Clark’s expertise and knowledge in leading this very important division, for our department and our state.”
As director of the agency, Smith will be responsible for managing staff and overseeing the agency’s statutory obligations, which include approving new license applications and the auditing of Indiana’s commercial grain operations.
He will also serve as chairperson of the Indiana Grain Indemnity Corporation Board of Directorsand work with local, state and federal agencies, as well as the private sector, to better understand the needs of Indiana’s grain purchasers.
“Agriculture has been a huge part of my personal and professional life, and I am excited to begin the journey of public service and give back to this dynamic industry,” said Smith. “The Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency has dedicated staff who keep the industry top of mind. I look forward to learning from them and working side by side with the ISDA team and stakeholders in all parts of Indiana, both Indianapolis and all the cities and towns that make Indiana great.”
Smith is a Greenfield Central school board member and Riley Festival board of directors member. He is also a 10 year 4H member from Jackson County and a former Jackson County Cattlemen’s President.
Outside of work, Clark and his wife Debra spend most of their time raising their two young daughters and managing the family Angus herd.
Visit www.isda.in.gov for more information about the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency.
The Indiana State Fair and Corteva Agriscience are proud to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 Featured Farmers that will be honored at this year’s Indiana State Fair.
In its ninth year, this popular program celebrates and helps put a face on Hoosier agriculture by connecting consumers with fellow Hoosiers who grow the food they eat. These 15 farm operations represent a variety of regions through the state, showcasing different agricultural products and stories throughout the 15-day state fair, August 2-August 18 (closed Mondays).
“Our mission at the Indiana State Fair is rooted in agriculture and connecting our fairgoers to the farmers feeding the world. We are proud of our Featured Farmer program and excited to unveil our 2024 honorees.” said Cindy Hoye, executive director, Indiana State Fair Commission. “These farmers have incredible stories to tell, and we are grateful to celebrate them with our partners at Corteva Agriscience.”
Visitors to the Indiana State Fair can attend a live chat at 2:30 p.m. in the Glass Barn with a Featured Farmer every day of the Fair, in addition to many other opportunities to talk with that day’s Featured Farm family and learn about their family operation. To learn more about the farmers, visit IndianaStateFair.com.
“The Indiana State Fair is the perfect place for fairgoers who are also consumers to meet Indiana farmers from across the state who dedicate their lives to feeding all of us. We are pleased to once again make this connection happen through the Featured Farmers program which is in its ninth year. At Corteva Agriscience, we are committed to enriching lives and helping farmers succeed,” said Heidi Spahn, Corporate and Community Investment Leader, Corteva Agriscience.
Here is the complete list of featured farmers, farm products and their home counties:
• Friday, August 2nd – Scarborough Farms (Soybeans), Laporte County
• Saturday, August 3rd – Paschen Farms Inc. (Pork), Cass County
• Sunday, August 4th – Howe Farms (Beef, Pork, Hops), Lake County
• Tuesday, August 6th – Lueken Dairy Farm (Dairy), Dubois County
• Wednesday, August 7th – Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock (Beef Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Rabbits), Owen County
• Thursday, August 8th – Union Go Dairy (Dairy), Randolph County
• Friday, August 9th – Blue Yonder Organic Farm (Organic Certified Farm Fresh Products), Hendricks County
• Saturday, August 10th – Kirk Hoffman & Family Farms (Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Forage Production, Maple Syrup), Whitley County
• Sunday, August 11th – Fair Farms and Produce (Farm Fresh Produce), Hancock County
• Tuesday, August 13th – Advanced Ag Resources Inc. (Seed Corn, Seed Beans), Wabash County • Wednesday, August 14th – DDH Farms (Corn, Soybeans), Randolph County
• Thursday, August 15th – Winzerwald Winery (grapes, wine), Perry County
• Friday, August 16th – Tree City Bee Company (Honey Drink, Honey, Bees), Decatur County
• Saturday, August 17th – Everett Farms and Seed (Corn), Boone County
• Sunday, August 18th – 550 Wagyu (Beef), Tippecanoe County
The Great Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating the Hoosier spirit and agricultural heritage. These 15 days bring all communities together to celebrate all things Indiana and promote it to hundreds of thousands of people across the state, and beyond. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth and interactive agriculture educational programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual attraction for generations of Hoosiers since 1852. This year’s Indiana State Fair will take place August 2 – August 18 (closed Mondays). For information, visit www.indianastatefair.com.
About Corteva Agriscience
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is an exotic beetle that feeds on ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees. Larvae feed in the phloem and outer sapwood, producing galleries that eventually girdle and kill branches and entire trees. This native of Asia was first confirmed in Indiana in 2004. Since that time, this forest pest has spread throughout Indiana and has been detected in all 92 counties. To protect healthy ash trees, our staff treats about a hundred select ash trees on a three-year rotation in Indiana State Parks. The insecticide is injected into the base of the tree where it moves throughout the tree. If the pest is present in the tree, the treatment will kill the insect and protect the tree. The photo shows Indiana State Park Natural Resources Manager Anthony Sipes treating an ash tree at Turkey Run State Park. Each of the treated trees are numbered to track their status and health each rotation. If you see an ash tree, stop to appreciate its towering beauty and its welcoming shade. More information of the Emerald Ash Borer. |
This informal report by the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology is a commentary on insects, diseases, and curiosities division staff encounter on a week-to-week basis. Comments and questions about this report are welcome and can be sent to your respective Inspector.
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Inspector Territories
Kristy Stultz (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
A quick reminder for all those selling plants inside or into Indiana. Plants listed on the Terrestrial or Aquatics Plant Rules will be destroyed. You can find a list of invasive species on our website.
I found tulip tree scale this week in an isolated population. This soft scale insect is prolific and is a key pest of tulip, magnolia, and even linden occasionally. While there are several natural enemies, treatment may be necessary. There are several options. Horticultural oil may be used in early spring after the danger of freezing is over. The crawler stage is active from mid-August through mid-September. Remember to always read and follow the label of any product used and ensure it is labeled for the pest in question.
Will Drews (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
I’ve been noticing a lot of red-headed flea beetles (Systena frontalis, RHFB) in my area, and they are causing some damage to a number of ornamental plants. RHFBs are small, shiny beetles as adults with a mostly black body and a slightly reddish head. They are called flea beetles because they jump like a dog flea when disturbed. RHFBs can be a troublesome pest in a plant nursery because they have a fairly wide host range of ornamental plants and are fairly difficult to control.
Economically important plants they feed on include hydrangeas, weigelas, roses, azaleas, viburnums, dogwoods, and more. RHFB adults feed on the foliage of the plants and can create a number of small holes, which can lead to a tattered appearance. The RHFB larvae live in the soil and will feed on the roots of the plants, but they seldom cause any damage to the plant’s overall health at this stage.
Red-headed flea beetle adults are very mobile and thus control, if warranted, can be difficult. Foliar applications of insecticides can be used on adults, but it can be difficult to get complete coverage and good control with a single application. Soil drench insecticides have been proven to be very effective at control of RHFBs at the larval stage. However, care must be taken to make sure that all the infested plants are controlled, so that the mobile adults do not come right back to the plants. For cultural control, good nursery weed control is also recommended as RHFBs can feed on a number of weedy plant species as well.
Angela Rust (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
I had to share a fun photo of a young walking stick on a squash leaf at my house. I don’t see them very often and they have always been a favorite of mine.
While assisting with a group nursery inspection recently I found cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) on cardinal flower (Lobelia sp.). Infection was confirmed by Immunostrip virus testing. CMV is a plant virus that can affect over 1,200 plant species worldwide, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, and weeds.
It's known for its devastating effects on members of the Cucurbit family such as cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squash. CMV can cause significant losses in yield and vegetable quality. Symptoms on infected plants can vary widely depending on the host. Stunting of entire plants, mosaic or mottling patterns (blotchy white, yellow, and light green areas), chlorotic ring spots on leaves and leaves with distorted shapes can all be symptoms. In extreme situations, parts of or even the entire plant may die from the disease.
CMV most commonly spreads by aphids picking up the virus as they feed on infected plants and transmitting it to healthy ones. CMV can also spread by other means. Plants confirmed to be infected should be destroyed.
Jared Spokowsky (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
I ran across a new invasive this past weekend. Well, maybe not new but it was the first time I’d seen it in person. Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is an invasive cane fruit from Asia that was introduced to the east coast. I found some while on a hike and decided to give them a try since they are related to our native raspberries. In my opinion, raspberries and blackberries are far better. I would say wineberry has a watered-down raspberryish taste.
I have gotten reports from beekeepers calling me with excessive amounts of bald brood. My first question is always, “What are your mite numbers?” Bald brood is usually a symptom of Parasitic Mite Syndrome (PMS). But in multiple cases, these beekeepers have been on top of mite control or are in situations where their mite load should still be minimal. I had a local beekeeper call me with this issue, so I decided to run out and take a look. The hive was really strong. We did a mite wash which resulted in zero mites being found but the amount of uncapping was excessive - upwards of 40-50%. We were able to place some markers on certain frames and I took reference pictures. I plan on some follow-up visits which hopefully should give a little more information.
Eric Biddinger (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
As the summer progresses, I have noticed an ever-increasing number of red headed flea beetles and the associated damage every place I visit. While not a threat to the survivability of the plants, the beetle’s damage will often make plants unsellable. If you are not scouting or managing for this critter in the nursery, I strongly suggest you start. The Purdue Landscape Report had a nice summary of control options for this insect a couple of years ago.
A few other finds from the last couple of weeks include spotty populations of Japanese beetle, increasing damage from maple spider mite, various rose leaf diseases including downy mildew and black spot, cottony maple scale, and so many leaf spots on oaks and maples. I also found a limited pocket of whitefly pupae on river birch – which I find memorable because they remind me of passionflower…
Finally, I wanted to end with a picture from a neighbor’s front yard. This was one of three Callery pears on this property that failed in a recent storm. The owners had already cleaned up the branches when I got there, but the remaining trunk tells the story of a branch union weakened by poor structure and included bark. Aside from this species’ invasive habits, its propensity to fail starting around the 15 to 20-year mark should dissuade the choice of Callery pear for landscape use. This branch failure removed nearly half of the canopy and left a gaping wound that cannot heal.
Bonnie Spindler (Nursery Inspector & Compliance Officer) -
I’m a wanderer who always enjoys checking out hedgerows, roadsides, or any wild area that might have interesting plants. Last month, a mulberry tree caught my notice. As I ambled that way, I noticed a multitude of Pastinaca sativa growing beneath it. P. sativa is also known as wild or (less commonly) poison parsnip. Don’t touch this plant! It contains toxins that cause photodermatitis. They inhibit your body’s protection from sunlight. Coming in contact with it while exposed to sunlight can cause severe blistering, rash, localized burning, and discoloration.
P. sativa is a non-native invasive weed that can be found in dry sunny areas across the state. It’s a biennial, growing close to the ground as a leafy rosette the first year and then bolting up to four feet tall, flowering, and dying the second year. It flowers from late-spring to mid-summer with hundreds of bright yellow flowers arranged in umbels. It smells similar to cultivated parsnip.
The best protection from P. sativa is avoidance regardless of what other interesting plants are nearby. If skin exposure does occur, immediately wash with soap and water and keep covered out of direct sunlight.
Photo 17 – EDDMaps Distribution of P. sativa, www.eddmaps.org
Washington County Local Foods Tour
A Local Foods Tour is planned for Saturday, August 17, 2024 in Washington County. The tour begins at 12:00 pm at Southern Hills Church (1645 Hwy 135 S.) in Salem. Participants will travel by tour bus to three Washington County farms including Morning Harvest Produce, Purlee Farm, and Trueblood Grain Farm to learn about lettuce and herb, beef, and popcorn production. Following the tour, participants will enjoy a meal prepared with local foods while hearing an educational presentation about the importance of supporting local businesses. Local vendors will be in available before, during, and after the meal to share about and sell their products. The registration fee is $25 per person which includes snacks and drinks during the tour and the meal. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the Purdue Extension – Washington County Office at 806 Martinsburg Rd., Ste. 104 in Salem. Contact Danielle Walker, Purdue Extension Educator, at 812-883-4601 or
The Washington County Local Foods Tour is possible through generous financial support from the Downing Charitable Trust, Washington County Community Foundation, and Washington County Commissioners. Special thanks to Washington County Farm Bureau Inc. and the SWAG Team for their partnership.
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