As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs specifically crafted for farmers, the Purdue Top Farmer Conference is a one-day event for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals looking to navigate the complexities of today's agricultural landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from farm management experts and agricultural economists from Purdue, Farm Credit Services of America, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Acres, a land value data analytics company.
The Purdue Farm Management Tour and Master Farmer Reception was held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Randolph County in east central Indiana. The free event provided an opportunity for nearly 150 farmers and agribusiness community members to gain insights from Rex Clements and Wade Miller at the Clements-Miller Farm and from the entire Goltstein family who related their experiences in launching and operating Union Go Dairy.
Starting at 9:00 a.m., Rex Clements and Wade Miller's farm near Lynn hosted farm tour attendees. They shared how they have positioned their farm to seamlessly transition from one generation to the next and how improved drainage management has been key to their success. Then at 1:00 p.m., the Goltstein family discussed their Union Go Dairy farm's operation at the Willow's Edge event center in Winchester. The Goltstein family members shared insights into how they've integrated three next generation family members into the farm business, how their farm’s production and risk management approach has evolved as they work with Dannon as the exclusive purchaser of their milk along with a birds-eye view into a modern dairy operation. The Tour wrapped up in mid-afternoon and at 4:00 p.m. the 2024 Indiana Master Farmer class was honored at Willow's Edge with a reception followed by a panel discussion. Congratulations to this year's Indiana Master Farmer honorees: Tim Gauck (Greensburg), Troy & Lisa Furrer (Wolcott), Ron & Sherry Cash (Greencastle), Keith & Darla Schoettmer (Tipton), and Honorary Master Farmers Steve Nichols (Delphi) and Harry Pearson (Hartford City). The Master Farmer program is a long-standing tradition in Indiana. It honors farmer leaders who, in addition to being top-notch agricultural producers, have made valuable contributions to Indiana and U.S. agriculture as well as their community.
The Purdue Farm Management Tour was provided by the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture and Purdue Extension and sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and Farm Credit Mid-America. The Indiana Master Farmer program was sponsored by Purdue University’s College of Agriculture and Indiana Prairie Farmer.
