We gather once a month for a virtual call to discuss technical topics and updates from across Indiana.
Join Us
This meeting is free and open to everyone in our community. You do not need to register to attend. If you have any questions about this event, please contact us.
More Information
- See upcoming Urban Updates events and join us.
- Follow the event series on Facebook.
- Sign up for our newsletter to receive emailed notifications for Urban Updates.
- 2025 Schedule: June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3
Past Recordings
2025
Date: May 7, 2025
Presenter: Natalie Hoidal, Extension Educator – Local Foods & Vegetable Production, University of Minnesota. Background information
Slides: Natalie Hoidal’s presentation. References:
- Soil Health Practices and Decision Drivers on Diversified Vegetable Farms in Minnesota
- Emerging specialty crop farmer perspectives and educational needs related to soil health and nutrient management in the Upper Midwest
- MN input calculator
Slides: Urban Updates USH team
Date: February 11, 2025
Presenter: Jason Gearhart of Integrated Elements, LLC
Slides: Importance of Fungal to Bacteria in Soil Health
Slides: Urban Updates USH team
Date: April 2, 2025
Presenters: Urban Soil Health Specialists. No technical topic.
Slides: Urban Updates USH team
Date: January 14, 2025
Presenters:
Heidi Potter, Farmer Summer Solstice Farms & ANR Educator, Purdue Extension, Clark Co.
Slides: Heidi’s presentation
Bree Ollier, Farmer at Copper Cataract Homestead & Natural Resources Conservationist at Hendricks Co. SWCD
Slides: Bree’s presentation
Slides: Urban Updates USH team
2024
Speaker: Olivia Fry, SW Farm Bill Biologist; Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Slides: USH Team and Olivia’s presentation
Speakers: Obtaining NRCS Funding Workshop with Larencia Williams, Madison County District
Conservationist. Shane Johnson, NRCS Outreach Coordinator shares about his role.
Slides: USH Team
Speakers:
Small-scale Livestock and Soil Health, Dr. Moriah Bilenky; Purdue University
Lead Contamination and Urban Soils, Anna Paltseva; Purdue University
Slides: USH Team
Speaker: SARE Grants with Farmer/Rancher and Youth Educator Grant Coordinator, Liz Brownlee
Slides: USH Team
Speaker: Jamie Bultemeier, A&L Labs Agronomist
Slides: USH Team and Jamie’s presentation
Speaker: Small-scale resources and Irrigation Water Management (IWM) Plan. Cara Bergschneider, NRCS Urban and Small-Scale Conservationist
Slides: USH Team and Small-Scale Resources Locations
Speakers: Tarping Research – Josue Cerritos and Celia Corado, Purdue graduate students in the Horticulture Crops Weed Science Lab. District’s Soil Testing Programs – Erica Eason, Monroe County SWCD and Julie Clark, Warren County SWCD.
Slides: USH Team
Speaker: Kevin Allison, Marion County SWCD
Slides: USH Team and links to mulching overview document and mulching calculator tool
Speakers: Whitney Schlegel of Marble Hill Farm in Monroe County shares about her passion for wool and wool pellets. She has received a SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant for integrating wool pellets with specialty crop growing systems. Megan Ayers, SE USH, dives into the SARE grant awarded for compost research in her area.
Slides: USH Team and Whitney’s presentation
Topic: Land Considerations, Preparation, and management of Perennial Fruit Crops in diversified farming systems
Speaker: Madeline Wimmer, Extension Educator – Food Systems / Fruit Production – University of Minnesota
Slides: USH Team and Madeline’s presentation
Speaker: Kevin Allison, Marion County SWCD
Slides: USH Team
Speakers: Jason Gearheart, Integrated Elements (Vermicompost) and Dan Perkins, Perkins’ Good Earth Farm (leaf-based compost)
Slides: USH Team and Dan Perkins’ presentation