Vermillion County
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Phillip Cox is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator in Vermillion County. He is on the Indiana Small Farm Conference team and has served on the Trade Show subcommittee for the past several years. He also coordinates programming that includes such topics as pesticide safety, native plants, invasive species, gardening, natural resources, farming, wildlife management, and forestry.
Contact Us
Purdue Extension
Extension Educator - Vermillion County
cox119@purdue.edu
765-492-5330
SOIL TESTING AVAILABLE
Soil testing is recommended every 3 – 5 years. The Purdue Extension Vermillion County Office will take your garden soil samples (they must be dry) for nutrient & pH analysis and send them to a soils lab for fertilizer recommendations for $15. For $10 more an organic matter analysis will be completed. Soil sample bags, sample forms, and instructions can be picked up at the Office. For details, call 765-492-5330 or email cox119@purdue.edu .
2026 INDIANA MASTER NATURALISTS SCHEDULE/REGISTRATION
West Central Indiana Master Naturalist Workshop starts April 9th
The West Central Indiana Master Naturalist Workshop starts on Thursday, April 9th and will continue for a total of ten afternoon classes, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, on Thursdays through June 11th. The Indiana Master Naturalist program is sponsored by Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Purdue Extension, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources with the mission to bring together natural resources specialists with adult learners to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife, and promote volunteer service within the State of Indiana. For more information about the Indiana Master Naturalist program see https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/programs/indiana-master-naturalist-program/
April in Paris (IL), April 9, 8:30 CST
$30 Edgar County Master Gardeners are hosting the April in Paris Garden Seminar again! The event will offer four speakers, vendors, and breakfast.
Robb Sparks of Sparks Floral Co - "Daylilies - The Indestructible Plant For the Home Garden"
Chris Lueking, University of Illinois Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator - "Backyard Greenhouses"
Mauri Ditzler, Ditzler Orchard - "Strawberries: Nature Always Wins But Don't Let That Keep You from Trying"
Jennifer Fishburn, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator - "Planting for Late Summer & Fall Colors in the Garden"
Victory Races: Marathon, ½ Marathon & 5K Races at Vermillion Rise Mega Park – April 11
This is a fundraiser for Vermillion Trails Alliance. For details/registration information see: https://www.vermilliontrailsalliance.com/victoryraces
Glaciation & Geology Hike at Atherton Island Natural Area – April 11, 10:00 am - Noon
FREE For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events
Wabash Valley Audubon Society Annual Meeting - April 15
$25 The Wabash Valley Audubon Society will hold its annual meeting and dinner on Wednesday, April 15th at the Vigo County History Center, 929 Wabash Ave, Terre Haute. The guest speaker will be award- winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw, discussing “Great Horned Owls: Hiding in Plain Site”. Glenshaw has closely observed and documented the lives of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park, a large urban park in St. Louis, Missouri, since December 2005. He will discuss how these owls were found and basic facts about the species; while using many of his photos and videos to illustrate the amazing behaviors of these beautiful birds. The annual meeting is sponsored by Bird Watcher’s Digest and The Cottom Agency.
The social hour and silent auction will start at 5:30 pm with dinner catered by Piloni's Italian Restaurant at 6:30 pm. Members and non-members alike are invited to this event for $25 per person (cash or check paid at the door). Seating is limited and advance reservations are required by April 10th by contacting Carissa Lovett at 812-877-1095 or carissa.lovett@terrehaute.in.gov. In addition, those wishing to donate silent auction items please contact Carissa by April 10th for details.
The Wabash Valley Audubon Society serves Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Wabash Valley Audubon Society like their Facebook page or visit their website at www.wabashvalleyaudubonsociety.org.
Foraging & Families Walk at Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve – April 18, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
FREE For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events
Weed Wrangle at Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area – April 18, 9:00 am – Noon
Volunteer Contact Steven McGhee at vp_resourcetech@iaswcd.org or 765-492-3705 for more information.
Earth Day Celebration, April 22, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
FREE The Clinton Public Library will host an Earth Day Celebration with Purdue Extension at 5:00 – 6:00 pm, April 22. Free trees will be available for participants to adopt, take home, and plant in celebration of Arbor Day. Participants will be able to choose from American Plum, Black Cherry, Blackgum, Common Chokecherry, Elderberry, Gray Dogwood, Hazelnut, Silky Dogwood, Persimmon, Shagbark Hickory, Washington Hawthorne, and the following species of oaks: White, Red, and Chinkapin.
Please join us for this family-friendly program to learn all about Earth Day and planting trees for wildlife! No RSVP is required. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. For questions, contact the Vermillion County Extension Office at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu
Forestry Management – April 25, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
FREE The first half of the day will be a lecture based educational session, followed by a hands-on hike at Atherton Island Natural Area. Registration required by emailing vp_resourcetech@iaswcd.org
Arbor Day Celebration – April 28, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
FREE Purdue Extension will host an Arbor Day Celebration at 6:00 – 7:30 pm, April 28th at the Vermillion Co. Fairgrounds’ 4-H Community Bldg. Proper techniques to plant trees and native trees to plant for wildlife will be discussed.
In addition, free trees will be available for participants to adopt, take home, and plant in celebration of Arbor Day. Participants will be able to choose from American Plum, Black Cherry, Blackgum, Common Chokecherry, Elderberry, Gray Dogwood, Hazelnut, Silky Dogwood, Persimmon, Shagbark Hickory, Washington Hawthorne, and the following species of oaks: White, Red, and Chinkapin.
Please join us for this family-friendly program to learn all about Arbor Day and planting trees for wildlife! No RSVP is required. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. For questions, contact the Vermillion County Extension Office at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu