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Earth Day celebration with Indiana Family of Farmers
Celebrate Earth Day Indiana
A family-fun event that is free and open to the public!
When/Where
Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
White River State Park, downtown Indianapolis
Indiana’s Family of Farmers – a proud sponsor of Earth Day Indiana – will have a booth at the event. They will be in one of the exhibitor tents with their popular planting activity from previous years. Indiana’s Family of Farmers will help visitors of all ages plant popcorn seeds in biodegradable CowPots. Indiana is one of the largest producers of popcorn. They will also be promoting the film, Farmland, and the fact that it will be in Indianapolis on May 1st and hopefully in other markets through the spring/summer. A variety of farm families from across the state will be at their booth to answer questions about their farms.
More Earth Day Tidbits
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Did you know Indiana farmers plant more cover crops than the rest of the nation combined? Cover crops are crops planted primarily to manage soil health, quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife.
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A watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains into a stream, river, lake, marsh or groundwater. We all live in a watershed. To find the watershed you live in, go to: http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm.
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Over the last 20 years, corn farmers have reduced their land use by 37%, energy use by 37%, and fertilizer use by 51%.
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Over the last 20 years, U.S. soybean farmers have reduced land use by 26%, energy use by 65%, greenhouse gas emissions by 38% and soil loss by 49%.
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Corn and soybean farmers are improving soil-testing and land management techniques so they can produce the same amount of food on half as much land.
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The dairy industry reduced the carbon footprint of a gallon of milk by 66% since 1944.
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Dairy producers continue to increase efficiencies on the farm, and it’s paid off: more milk is produced today with only 9 million cows than with 26 million cows in 1944.
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Dairy producers are responsible users of water in their milking parlors, barns and crop production practices. Water is reused numerous times for cleaning and cooling.
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Many dairy producers open their dairies for farm tours. If you are interested in visiting an Indiana dairy farm, please contact the American Dairy Association of Indiana at 1-800-225-MILK.
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2007 only 2.8 percent of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) came from animal agriculture, and pork farming contributes just over one-third of one percent (0.35%) of total U.S. GHG emissions.
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Indiana pork farmers are aware that there is the potential for odor on their farms and have taken great strides in addressing this issue by controlling dust, adding windbreaks and incorporating fans in their barns.
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Indiana pork farmers are willing to open their barn doors and tell their story. If you would like to visit a pork farm, please contact Indiana Pork at 317-872-7500.
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Farmers’ and ranchers’ landowner agreements have restored or enhanced 445,000 acres and 885 river miles of habitat for fish and wildlife. Thanks to these restorations, the United States has 16 million more acres of forestland today than it did in 1920.
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Rose Acre Farms utilizes wheeled racks that egg cartons are transported by in place of corrugated cardboard case (30 dozen) boxes for some customers. In 2011, this method saved the production of 1,857,060 corrugated boxes 2011 that could have ended up in landfills.
What Can WE Do?
There are simple changes we can make to embrace Earth Day in our own home. Simple changes that do not take much time, energy or planning. These tips will take the excuses out of why we haven’t started reducing our food waste, shopping smarter or repurposing when we can. I know for years I thought it would take too much time to purposefully take steps to protect the world in which we live but I was wrong. Using more efficient light bulbs, keeping my thermostat set at a constant setting, cutting down on food waste and using no more than what I need in life was easier than I thought it would be.
Listen to these Earth Day tips from The Produce Mom and Indy With Kids on my radio show: Around the Kitchen Sink HERE
A Little Something Yummy
Since the air is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, there is NO better way to turn off and unplug than a great cocktail shared with friends. Sit outside, get fresh air and try one of these easy cocktails!
