By SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent GREENFIELD, Ind. — On the For-Lou Dairy Farm, a few of the Guernsey calves will lick a person’s arm right through the sleeve, while others hang back, shy and unsure.
Phil and Ruthie Sparks have been breeding, raising and showing dairy cattle for so long that the Indiana State Fair finally just gave Phil Sparks a Lifetime Achievement Award so that he can have a free pass into the fair. Having donated heifers to young 4-Hers each year, Sparks has earned at least that much.
At 70, he isn’t jumping up and down, but he isn’t slowing down either. He has a herd of 24 cows, 22 springers (heifers who haven’t calved), and young stock on 60 acres to attend.
He participated in the Hancock County Farm Festival seven years ago and plans to do so again on Sunday, Sept. 13, 12-5 p.m.
“We probably had 3,000 (visitors). People really enjoyed it. I still meet people who say, ‘I came to that festival,’” said Sparks, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Four different farm operations will be featured on the free self-driving tour: Gem Elevator, For-Lou Farm Dairy, Edwards Farm and Eash Racing Stables, all of Greenfield.
The goal of the festival, sponsored by Purdue Extension Service and Hancock County Extension Board, is to bring together neighbors, especially urban and farm, across the fence and beyond.
The farm festival rotates around the counties surrounding Indianapolis and draws an estimated 5,000 people each year, said 2009 festival chairman Jan Cochard.
Gem Elevator The last public grain elevator left in the county, Gem Elevator serves the general public, specializing in custom grinding, mixing and delivery. The Merlau family, who owns the elevator, has developed a reputation for excellent custom mixes.
Demonstrations of grain grading and feed production, pork burgers and a game of Corn Hole will be on Sunday’s agenda.
“There aren’t many elevators left. People don’t realize how animals are fed or how feed is made,” explained Lisa Merlau, who manages the office and mixes her own custom rations. “The old part of the elevator dates back to 1916, we think, and we still use it. There was a railroad behind us (used to transport grain), and it was just taken out a few years ago,” she said.
A working “man lift” operated by ropes and pulleys dates to the elevator’s opening. Merlau said a growing segment of their customer base is small, organic farms, especially chickens, as people explore a healthier lifestyle.
Gem Elevator is able to supply their special custom needs.
“The goat business has exploded. Nobody had goat feed (a few years ago). We came up with our own label, Gem Milking Goat Ration,” she added.
Eash Racing Stables At first glance Eash doesn’t look like a farm operation, but when the sleek, fast-moving horses are done pacing and trotting, they apparently are hungry – and are terrific consumers of hay, corn and oats.
“I buy four tons of corn and oats, and it’s gone in 11-13 days,” said co-owner Rosie Eash. “We spend $5,000 a month on grain.”
Don and Rosie Eash’s well-kept stables house 100 horses at any given time. These Standardbred pacers and trotters, bred in Indiana, race about 35 miles per hour, which doesn’t sound too fast until one realizes they are harness racing.
In a harness race, the horse pulls a driver in a sulky, a small two-wheeled carriage, for one mile.
The Eashes built their full-time business when Hoosier Park in Anderson was erected, but they now race at Indiana Downs in Shelbyville, Eash said.
Each of their 100 horses must run each day to stay in shape, be fed and kept. The stables employs eight trainers.
“We feel this is good publicity for harness racing. A lot of people don’t know anything about it, all the work that goes into it, and the contribution we make to agriculture in Indiana,” Eash said.
She went on to say that she has personally benefited from her involvement.
“We’ve been here only six years, and we work so much. This festival has helped us get to know some other people in the community besides those in horse racing,” Eash said.
Visitors on Sunday can watch horses being trained on the one-half mile track, tour the stables, and ride on carriages and ponies, the latter brought by the Horse and Pony 4-H Club.
Edwards Farm The Edwards Farm was settled in 1945 by Robert Edwards. Gary and Patty Edwards are the third generation to run the farm, but they still have a little help from their folks.
“My mother – she’s 85 – has won awards for her quilts, and she will have 65-70 quilts here on display Sunday. We’re expecting twins (grandchildren), so she’s making two more. My dad still comes out to watch me in the field. I know if I need anything, he’s there,” said Gary with a smile.
“When we lose that generation, we’re really losing something. They’ve seen and lived through it all,” he said.
In 1972 Edwards Farm became the first breeders in Indiana to raise Simmental cattle and are known for their exceptional stock. They produce 1,300 acres of corn and soybeans.
Edwards Farm was the proud owner of the Grand Champion Heifer at the Indiana State Fair this year.
They will demonstrate cattle grooming, antique farm equipment and a walk-through maize. Rib-eye sandwiches and hamburgers will be offered for sale.
For more, visit www.HancockFarm Festival.org or call 317-462-1113. |
