Commissioners recognize farm tour

The Jay County Commissioners signed a proclamation at their meeting Monday recognizing next week’s 83rd annual Purdue Farm Management Tour.
The proclamation recognized the importance of Jay County’s farms and agricultural businesses, some of which will be highlighted during the tour’s Jay County stops on June 23.
This is the first time the tour will visit Jay County.
Tom Johnson, a 2008 Indiana Prairie Farmer Master Farmer, and his son Matt were on hand for the proclamation signing, as was Purdue’s Jay County extension director Larry Temple, who has helped organize the day.
“I think I’m the only one ever from Jay County,” Tom Johnson said about being a Master Farmer. “They’re from all over the state. It’s quite an honor.”
The tour will begin June 23 with a free lunch at noon at the new Marion and Irene Bubp Building at Jay County Fairgrounds.
There will be two afternoon stops — 1 p.m. at IOM Grain, county roads 100 North and 100 East, and 2:30 p.m. at Johnson Family Farms, 7482 S. 1150 West — before the Indiana Prairie Farmer Master Farmer Banquet at 6 p.m. at Jay County High School.
Also at the commissioners’ meeting:
•Commissioner Faron Parr and auditor Anna Culy signed a renewal of a contract for Public Health Coordinator Amy Blakely. The contract runs from July 1 to June 30, 2016.
•Commissioners Parr, Jim Zimmerman and Doug Inman discussed Jay County’s bicentennial quilt and the possibility of contributing a square. Jeanne Houchins, a member of the quilt committee, said businesses are welcome to contribute squares as well.