At a time when farmers face volatile commodity markets, rising costs and mounting pressure to adapt, two Harrison County farm families will open their operations to share what has helped them remain profitable and resilient.
The Purdue Farm Management Tour, hosted by Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture and Purdue Extension, will make its first-ever stop in Harrison County on July 10, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at two farms that have embraced diversification and value-added agriculture as strategies for long-term success.
The free event will feature visits to Jmax Cattle near Laconia and Jones Farm near Palmyra, where attendees will hear directly from farm operators about the business decisions, production practices and innovations shaping their operations.
The tour returns this year after a brief hiatus in 2025 and marks the first time Harrison County has hosted the event.
The choice of host farms reflects a broader theme organizers hope participants will take away: the value of diversification in an increasingly uncertain agricultural economy.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern time at Jmax Cattle, where Chad and Paige Baker have expanded beyond traditional cattle feeding into direct-to-consumer beef sales. Their operation includes freezer beef marketing, a butcher shop and a restaurant — ventures that allow the family to capture a larger share of the food dollar while building stronger connections with customers.
Visitors will learn about the Bakers’ drylot feeding program, grazing systems and use of on-farm research to evaluate management decisions. The family will also discuss the role detailed recordkeeping plays in guiding business decisions and measuring performance.
After a midday break, the tour will continue at 1 p.m. at Jones Farm, a diversified operation that produces corn, popcorn, soybeans and grass hay while also operating several related off-farm businesses.
The Jones family plans to discuss the differences between producing and marketing traditional field corn and popcorn, a specialty crop that can offer opportunities for added value. Organizers say the stop will also examine how the family’s off-farm enterprises complement and strengthen the overall farm business.
Throughout the day, participants will have opportunities to question farm operators directly about management decisions, technology adoption and the challenges of adapting to changing economic conditions and evolving family circumstances.
Organizers say the event is designed not only for producers seeking practical management ideas but also for anyone interested in how modern farm businesses operate.
Registration is free and open to the public. Attendees may visit both farms or attend a single stop. Registration will remain open through the day of the event.
CLICK HERE to register and find additional information.
