Fall Harvest

1 1. An illustration graphic represents the 2021

Farmers’ Almanac cover, which is a book that includes planting times and weather predictions.

Graphic by Lily Thomas. 2. A basket given to visitors at Fishers AgriPark is full of fresh produce like tomatoes, lettuce, green beans and peppers on Sept. 24. Photo by Lily

Thomas. 3. Corn stalks bask in the sun at Fishers

AgriPark on Sept. 24. The corn is now a corn maze that visitors can navigate through. Photo by Lily Thomas.

Happy harvest

Farmers reap what they sow during the season

Lily Thomas thomalil000@hsestudents.org

In Indiana, 55,550 farms were operated during 2020, as reported by the Information from National Agricultural Statistics Service. With a large agricultural industry, harvest season can be an important time for farmers in Indiana. According to the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture, harvest season runs from late September to early December and refers to the time in which farmers reap the crops they have grown during the year. Fishers is home to a 33-acre urban farm called AgriPark, which provides an array of crops for Fishers’ residents. Currently, the farm has pumpkins, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, assorted herbs, cabbage, fall squash and brussel sprouts. “We have had an amazing year this season as far as harvest goes,” AgriPark Operations Manager Trevor Wildey said. “Our vegetable harvest begins as early as

June and runs until the end of

October.

We have given well over 12,000 pounds of produce back to the community.” Wildey said the farm has planted 30,000 vegetable plants this season. e majority of their produce is planted on four-foot wide black plastic, which creates a raised bed for the plants that allows an irrigation line to run underneath. In addition, the plastic keeps the soil warmer so that crops may be planted earlier. Farmers use many di erent techniques when planting and harvesting crops. e Farmers’ Almanac can be a tool for planting. According to the Farmers’ Almanac website, the book includes helpful knowledge like long-range weather predictions and a planning calendar that notes the opportune planting times for di erent crops. “I know some of the

Farmers’ Almanac and refer to it many times throughout a season,” Wildey said. “ e Farmers’ Almanac is a great resource and has plenty of tips and pointers on gardening and weather.” Aside from using the Farmers’ Almanac, having agricultural knowledge can also be helpful when tending to crops. Agriculture, as described by agriculture teacher Samuel Lawrence, encompasses animal, plant, natural resource and food science. Junior and Future Farmers of America (FFA) participant Ruby Kivett is currently taking an agriculture class. “My favorite thing about agriculture is the culture of it and how far back it goes,” Kivett said. “It’s been in America forever, and I just think it’d be a good thing to be a part of. I’ve just always had an interest in it, and being in FFA just helped that passion grow.” According to Lawrence, one agricultural technique involves rotating crops to di erent elds each season. “Di erent insects will eat di erent crops,” Lawrence said. “Also, just like we can get sick, so can plants. When you change it from one plant to another plant, it

1. Pumpkins grow in a patch at Fishers AgriPark on Sept. 24. The pumpkins will be done growing in mid-October. 2. Among a large plot of soil, green beans hang o their plant, waiting to be picked at Fishers AgriPark on Sept. 24. 3. On Sept. 24, rows of green beans, assorted peppers and tomatoes are ready for harvest at Fishers AgriPark. Photos by Lily Thomas.

eliminates that disease.” Another technique is turning soil, which adds oxygen and moisture into the soil, thus making it easier to plant. “ roughout the growing season, we try to plant di erent vegetables at di erent times to have a continuous harvest throughout the summer,” Wildey said. “ e community has really seemed to enjoy the park and word travels fast and so do the vegetables.” Wildey said that in future years, AgriPark hopes to try out new techniques. “Aquaponics and hydroponics are just two examples of di erent ways of raising produce,” Wildey said. “ is would allow people to see other ways of how their food is grown rather than just planting directly into soil.” Lawrence explained that there are several factors that impact the viability and overall production of crops. Factors include the amount of water and sunlight, the temperature and nutrients. While keeping such factors in mind, farmers also look at what crops to plant at what time. Lawrence says that temperature plays a large role in when to plant and so do frost dates. He says that a good rule of thumb for planting a garden in Indiana is to plant on Mother’s Day. “ e harvest time is gratifying because you’re seeing the fruits of your labor and then you get to enjoy them,” Lawrence said. “It always tastes better if you’ve grown it than if someone else did.” For those interested in getting involved or learning, there are volunteer opportunities at the AgriPark that involve helping with animals, planting and harvesting. “ e AgriPark has made a major impact on the community,” Wildey said. “It’s providing lots of good, fresh vegetables for the public, education on where your food comes from, how your food is grown, and it is also o ering a di erent experience than your normal park.”

1 2 3