CORYDON, Ind. — Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture and Purdue Extension welcome you to visit two farms in Harrison County, Ind, on July 10. 

Each tour includes an interview session where farm operators provide an overview of their farms. Host farmers will also share successful farm management tips, discuss how the management of their operations is changing in response to the agricultural economy and evolving family circumstances, and share reasons behind their recent innovations in production practices and adoption of new technology. This is a great opportunity for producers to ask questions and learn from the experiences of Indiana’s best farm business managers.

Some of the most valuable lessons in agriculture come from seeing what other farmers are doing, hearing why they made certain decisions, and learning what has worked (and what hasn’t), according to the press release from the Purdue Center for Commercial Ag. This tour provides that opportunity through two stops in Harrison County with producers willing to share their management approaches.

The morning session begins at Jmax Cattle in Laconia, where Chad and Paige Baker will discuss their heifer feeding operation, including forage-based management, pasture and fencing strategies, manure utilization, recordkeeping, and animal health protocols. 

The Bakers have added value to their stocker/feeder operation through freezer beef sales as well as through a butcher shop and restaurant. At this tour stop you will hear Chad and Paige discuss their drylot feeding program and grazing systems, and the importance of retail sales to their operation. 

The afternoon visit to Jones Farm near Palmyra will highlight corn, soybean, popcorn, oat, and hay production, along with fertility programs, input decisions, crop marketing challenges, and expansion into specialty crops. The Jones family also brings experience from their related ag businesses, providing insight into how they are adapting and finding opportunities in today’s farm economy.

Diversification serves to add value to crop enterprises and to build resilience. On this tour visit, there will be discussions on the differences in production practices and marketing of corn and popcorn. 

The tour is free and open to the public.

For more information and to register visit https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/2026-purdue-farm-management-tour/