By ANN ALLEN
Indiana Correspondent

ROCHESTER, Ind. — A series of meetings sponsored jointly by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and Rochester High School’s vocational agriculture department is set to start Jan. 5.

The weekly Wednesday sessions will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s vo-ag room; the fourth, one that provides farmers an opportunity to receive private applicator recertification, will be in the school auditorium. Refreshments, courtesy of area banks, will be available.

Jan. 5: Dr. Chris Hurt will take a look at the future and predict farm commodity prices. He also will provide updates on livestock prices, interest rates and other topics affecting farm inputs and prices.

Jan. 12: Dr. Kirsten Wise, a Purdue plant disease specialist, will talk about soybean diseases seen this past season and discuss the uses of fungicide in production. This program, in the school auditorium, will conclude at 9:30 p.m. There is a $10 fee for anyone being recertified; others may attend at no charge.

Jan. 19: Tim Eizinger, district forester for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will talk about lumber markets, harvesting and selling methods and current state programs available. Anyone planning to market timber should attend.

Jan. 26: Curt Emanuel, Clinton County extension educator, will discuss issues relating to wind tower placement. “There are a lot of facts landowners need to consider before entering into wind tower contracts,” said Mark Kepler, Fulton County extension educator.

Anyone having a physical disability requiring special assistance or who wants additional information should call Kepler at 574-223-3397.