Bud's Farm Market

11/24/2022

Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Thanksgiving! And to address these vicious rumors that all I do during the winter is lie on the couch napping through football and basketball games, I offer the following evidence. Wenjing Gaun, PhD and Samantha Anne Wilden, PhD have been down to set up data collection devices for a series of experiments they are working on. The link to the project is here https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q1/extending-the-season,-improving-food-security.html , if you are interested in more info on their work. (I have named the devices E.T. and E.T. Too as they are “phoning home” with data back to the mothership at Purdue.) I have also cleaned out one of the greenhouses, prepped the soil for the winter, and changed the plastic. I am working on doing the same for the second house. Finally, if anyone needs a new pet, this unwanted visitor showed up on the security camera recently. I have occasionally smelled them off in the distance, but this is the first time I have noticed them this close to the barn. This is adding new urgency to rebuilding and sealing the barn off to critters. 🫤 Thank you to everyone for another great season! You make it possible for me to continue to do what I love. Have a Great Holiday Season! 😁

10/20/2022

Mother Nature sent us a pre-Halloween trick, but also left us with a treat! The trick was having a freeze shortly after a full moon. (An old farmer’s tale states that tomatoes ripen on a full moon.) So yes, after the full moon I had a bunch of tomatoes begin to ripen, but then I had to pick everything I could to protect them from the freeze. The treat is that I will have delicious tomatoes for the next 6 weeks or so. Tomatoes for Thanksgiving anyone!? Back to fall hours. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-4. 😊

09/11/2022

Down on the Farm - Yes, I do have more tomatoes, sort of. I plant tomatoes 3 times throughout the summer. The first two plantings produced very well, and have since played out. The third set was planted shortly before the hot week which stunted them. The big summer storm then blew the blossoms off creating a void right now. I will only be around on weekends until the late tomatoes begin producing again. Once the tomatoes start ripening again, I expect to have them through October, and possibly into November. Text (preferred) or call before coming to the farm during the week. The best looking mums in the area are in. Pumpkins will begin showing up this coming weekend. Otherwise, the new bridge construction crew is finishing up their work for the summer. They had to put down about a half mile of wooden track pads to get semi-trailers into the field to get the pictured barge and drilling equipment in the pond. Quite an operation. They expect to be back next summer to perform drilling across the Ohio river on a barge and tug boat. Another crew used the pictured large drone and LIDAR to map the creek behind the farm. The technology allows them to “see” through the vegetation to get a topologic view of the creek bed. All of the data collected now goes to the engineers to develop the actual bridge and approach road design. For those who tune in for my usual snarky posts, I just couldn’t come up with anything this time. Sorry. I’ll work on it 😁

08/04/2022

If you are like me, you have experienced a range of emotions from shock to anger to disbelief and more regarding the situation in Ukraine. People have been asking all season long what is growing in that field, and now, what are you going to do with all of those sunflowers. I am going to donate all proceed to the United Nation’s World Food Program for the benefit of the Ukrainian Refugees. I am suggesting a $ 1.00 per stem donation ($10.00 suggested minimum donation for photo shoots). I had originally planned on this being a U-Pick Operation, but because of the recent rainfall, and because this knucklehead planted the seeds to close together, I will cut the flowers as time permits. You are still welcome to pick your own, if you so choose. The flowers were not due to begin blooming for another few weeks, but I guess this is Mother Nature’s way of saying Ukraine needs our help now. I know a lot of people are struggling with gas prices and back to school expenses and such, but if you can fit it in your budget, I’m sure the Ukrainian people would appreciate our support, no matter what size. I will continue this project through the end of the season, but I think the sunflowers will be in their peak for the next 3 or 4 weeks. Thanks, and I hope to see you soon!😁

06/12/2022

People have been asking about all of the construction equipment and activity on the farm. This is the next step in the construction of the new I-69 bridge, and they are using my farm as a field office and staging area. The access ramp will be located about 3/4 of a mile east of my farm. There are currently 3 crews boring over 100 holes 100-200 feet deep, 2 inches in diameter until they find bedrock, testing the soil structure every 5 feet down. They have to test all along the route from I-69 down to and across the river. An additional 3 crews will start work soon. The entire process is expected to take 6-8 months. They will even have to bore holes in the Ohio River, working from a barge. This company has been working on the I-69 project from just north of Evansville all the way up to Indy for over 8 years. They say this is the deepest and most difficult work they have encountered thus far. In 3-4 years as actual construction begins, these holes will be expanded as per engineers specifications based on the core samples being taken now. All of their crews have been very agreeable to work with, going out of their way not to interfere with my farm market. I will post more photos as they give me additional tours of the job site. Stay tuned, and, oh yes, TOMATOES! 😊

05/22/2022

When I previously announced that I would be opening for the season on Friday, May 27, 9 am, I didn’t realize these guys were following my page. How do I get them to unfollow me? 😁. This is the most aggressive they have ever been. They jumped the outer fence, and went right up to the greenhouse before I could scare them off. Who can blame them. The tomatoes are as delicious as they look!

05/08/2022

Opening Day Friday, May 27, 2022! Tomatoes are looking great! I would open sooner, but because I grow them in an all natural method, it takes a little longer. This method provides a better tasting tomato, and tomatoes that are better for you and our environment. Unfortunately, the numerous cloudy, overcast days have slowed us down a little. This seems to be the new normal - 3 years in a row now! I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

04/18/2022

Given that people are calling, texting, emailing, and even stopping by the farm, I guess it’s time for an update. We are getting close, but, as these are the first two showing color, we are still 3-4 weeks away from opening for the season. I’ll post an exact date as we get closer. Thanks. I look forward to seeing everyone! 😊

03/27/2022

This is the last in a series of ”What the Heck Do You Do All Winter” as from here on, it’s all farming, all the time. I unexpectedly had to replace the plastic on one of the greenhouses; fortunately, I hadn’t planted anything in it yet. It wasn’t scheduled to be changed until next year, but Mother Nature had other plans. High winds ripped it up! The tomatoes are looking great! It’s too early to give an exact opening date, but I estimate mid-May. Lots to do between now and then-planting the next crop, seeding the next crop after that, and taking care of the first crop. Hope you all are doing well, and I look forward to seeing everyone again!😊

02/13/2022

Here’s another edition of “What the heck do you do all winter”. After several unexpected repairs (the tractor pto shaft was unknowingly damaged last season and 2 greenhouse fan motors and 1 vent motor decided to malfunction [1 motor is only two years old; another one was purchased last year; no warranty; the joys of farming 😊]), I finally got half of the first greenhouse planted. I only planted half so far to try to mitigate the natural gas expense. I’m hearing horror stories over the price increase. Prior to that, I spent several weeks cutting down saplings along the creek bank that runs through the farm. Saplings on a farm are a major problem, especially along waterways and fence rows. If you don’t control them, they will become trees in 3-5 years that become beaver dams or sun blockers which creates even larger problems. I will (almost) be glad when football and the Olympics are over so I don’t have an excuse not to go out in the cold and get some work done. Sooo looking forward to spring. Stay warm and safe!

01/21/2022

IU 68. Purdue 65. Life is good. 😁

12/24/2021

…and the seeds were all nestled snug in their beds (with their new, more powerful & efficient LED grow lights, watered by their upgraded irrigation filtration system)…. Wishing Everyone a Safe, Happy & Healthy Merry Christmas with Best Wishes for the New Year!😊🎄🎅🎉🥳

11/25/2021

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving! FYI &TMI, it’s only noon, and I’ve already od’ed on junk food; but as Tom Brady says, it’s a cheat day. ON YOUR DIET, because he would never do that on the football field. Right!? Right!? 😊

09/30/2021

HELP!!! These dang pumpkins keep reproducing like rabbits! It seems like every morning I come out here, and there are MORE pumpkins than the day before! What the Heck am I to do??!!! 🙂

09/26/2021

Theft from highway

When will people realize that no matter where they are in public, they are probably being video-taped

09/17/2021

Photos from Vanderburgh County Health Department's post

09/02/2021

I occasionally receive thank you notes from school children who have visited the farm, examples of essays that older students have written for a class after a visit, and of course, positive reviews online; but I don't recall anyone ever taking the time to purchase a thank you card and sending me a sincere note thanking me for all of the good fruits and veggies she has purchased over the years. (allergies, not misty eyes; no really)

07/29/2021

Sooo, we've had some suggestions from the facebook marketing professionals regarding the appropriateness of the tone of some of our snarky "marketing" posts. hmmm, we're gonna keep on doing 'em anyway. 😂🤣 😂Have a great day!

07/09/2021

Here is a photo of our Executive V.P. of Marketing, Keith LaCrosse, modeling one of our new hats. Silly me cut off the hat ! Guess I'll stick to the tomato growing

07/09/2021

It has recently become apparent that it is time for my annual Public Service Announcement.
They are called EARS OF CORN or ROASTNEARS (slang for Roasting Ears) ... NOT ... THINGS OF CORN ... CORN THINGS, or absolutely not ... CORNS !!! 🙂😆😁🤣😂.
Thank you. This has been a Public Service Announcement. You may now return to your regularly scheduled mindless scrolling

06/18/2021

This Sunday, let's keep in mind the immortal words of that great, world famous philosopher, David Letterman ... Mother's Day is really just the warm up act for Father's Day !!! 🤣

05/27/2021

Finally...

05/07/2021

I am just now starting to see a little color in some of my tomatoes which means we still have about 2 weeks or so. I now plan on opening sometime between May 21 and May 28. The arctic air blast in late February is slowing us down now. Because my heaters are not large enough to deal with the super cold temps, the plants did not grow well in February, therefore, we have to wait a little longer now. See you soon!

03/28/2021

People have already been calling and stopping by the farm looking for tomatoes and plants. I will have tomato plants ready by April 10. Tomatoes themselves won’t be ready until mid to late May. I am anticipating a close to normal post-pandemic season. Of course, I will follow any and all recommendations from Purdue or state and local Health authorities. If you would prefe a no-touch shopping experience again this season, just let me know, and I will make it happen. I look forward to seeing everyone! 😁

11/26/2020

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving and Holiday Season! I look forward to seeing everyones' smiling face next spring!

09/20/2020

It’s Official!! We are now (nearly) World Famous!! Getting your picture on the front page of the Evansville Courier automatically make you (nearly) World Famous, right!? Thanks to Macabe Brown of the Courier for our newfound status. Also, thank you to Wenjing Guan and her cohorts at Purdue University for helping me achieve record yields this summer. Because of an accidental over-supply of tomatoes, and because of YOUR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, we were able to donate over 700 pounds of tomatoes to several area charitable organizations to help those who have been hit hard by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. So, a HUGE THANK YOU AND A BIG (FIGURATIVE) PAT ON THE BACK TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BOUGHT ANYTHING FROM ME THIS SUMMER!!! I’d also like to thank the Society of St. Andrews for sending a team down to pick all of those tomatoes. Ann Radtke, their team leader, came down from Indianapolis; Ashlie K, an attorney in the real world, also came down from Indy; Nicci, who along with her husband own The Flying Pig Farm-another nearly world famous Indiana Grown farm, came down from Bloomington; and Kevin, who is a descendant of a famous WWII hero, came over from Southern Illinois on a hot August Saturday morning to pick all of those tomatoes! So A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone!

07/31/2020

This is a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
They are called “ears of corn” or “roastneers” (a slang term for “roasting ears”)
They are NOT “corn thingyies”, “corns” or “things of corn”
This has been a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. You may now return to your regularly scheduled mindless scrolling. 😁

06/22/2020

A 2 or 3 times a week regular customer came in last week, raving about how delicious my tomatoes are, as she frequently does. She was going on about how she has tried tomatoes at other markets, but none of them taste as good as mine. “I don’t know what it is. There must be something in your soil.” She always says that. This time, I tried to educate her. “It’s me. I’m the difference!” I replied. “When you do something for almost 30 years, you learn to do it well, or you do something else.” I went on, way too much, about why my tomatoes are different and such. She had been studying the tomatoes, peppers, and other stuff on the table all the while, evidently not really listening to me. When I finished, she kind of laughed a little bit, and said, “It’s got to be the soil.”

Delicious Tomatoes!
No Harmful Chemicals or Fertilizers!
Lots of Experience!
No foolin’ !!!

06/15/2020

I occasionally send Wenjing video updates throughout the season. This is just a snippet of the things we discuss. Usually I have a problem, and am seeking her assistance. Not this time. Just thanking her for a recommendation she made in the off-season

05/28/2020

Indiana Farmers Making Safety Changes for Summer Markets - 44News | Evansville, IN

Indiana Farmers Making Safety Changes for Summer Markets - 44News | Evansville, IN

Indiana farmers markets are opening later than usual this summer, with the delay being blamed on concerns about crowd sizes. One vegetable farmer of thirty years, Bud Vogt, says while sanitization is always a priority at Bud’s Farm Market in Evansville, the pandemic has him adding extra safety reg...

05/24/2020

Due to overwhelming demand, I am sold out of ripe tomatoes until Tuesday, May 26 at 9:00am. Green ones are still available. Sorry for the inconvenience. A lot more are coming on.

05/22/2020

I am opening my on the farm stand Friday, May 22 at 9:00am before anyone else threatens to hurt me. One primary change from previous seasons-due to required guidelines, we are now a no touch market. If you touch it, you buy it. For a lot of you, this is not a big deal because you already ask me to pick out your tomatoes for you. For those of you who wish to select your own, you may point, and ask me to show you the tomato. (I know. The grocery stores don’t have to do this; I’ve asked why, but have not gotten a satisfactory answer.) I think I offer the safest possible buying method available as we are an outdoor market, and I am the only one to touch the tomato from the plant to the stand. The only other noticeable changes are that I must sanitize my hands between guests, and we will have only one guest at the stand at any time. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and patience. There are other changes I have had to make behind the scenes, but I won’t bore you with the details. I will be wearing a mask as I have developed asthma. I may have to make other changes as we go through the season if the guidelines change, but this is the game plan for the foreseeable future. Yes, the tomatoes are as delicious as they look. I look forward to seeing everyone, from six feet apart.

05/03/2020

Starting to see a little color! I’m expecting to open in three weeks. I know people are getting anxious, and I know other farm markets are jumping the season by re-selling others’ tomatoes while implying they are theirs, but I think that it is inappropriate, especially in this environment, not to be totally transparent. Besides, mine are grown in the soil without the use of artificial fertilizers or harmful chemicals. And, mine taste better; worth the wait! Otherwise, our friendly area bee keeper, David Laughrie, came out last week to re-hive a bee colony. Cool morning; no stings.
Hang in there. We’ll get through this. I look forward to seeing everyone-from six feet away!

03/30/2020

Several people have been contacting me regarding the availability of plants and veggies. The tomatoes are looking good. My best guesstimate is about May 10-15. A lot depends on more sunny days than overcast days. I’ll make an announcement about opening day as we get closer to that date. A few people have been asking about plants for their own garden. I have some hybrid tomatoes available now. I will have cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini plants and grafted tomato plants available about May 1. I won’t have enough pepper plants to sell this year due to poor seed germination. I’m still dealing with high water alkalinity issues. Hopefully this virus stuff will be under enough control by summer that we will have a great season full of fresh fruits and veggies with only a few changes in procedures. We will deal with those at that time. Be smart and stay safe! I look forward to seeing everyone again!

12/02/2019

Bud's Farm Market updated their address.

Bud's Farm Market updated their address.

11/28/2019

Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season! I look forward to seeing everyone next Spring (about the middle of May)

10/22/2019

Want to do something REALLY SCARY this year?! STOP eating fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, and thereby increase your chances of premature death from heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, or some cancers—not to mention a decreased quality of life leading up to that premature death. BOO!!! Fresh apple, anyone?

By the way, a new Winter Farmers Market at the Warrick County Habitat Restore will begin this Saturday, October 26 and run every Saturday through December 21, 9:00-1:00

09/30/2019

For those of you who ask about “that nice young man” who used to work for you, he is now a Staff Sargent in the Air Force. He is married, and they are living out west. He just completed a year of service in South Korea. Previously, he spent a year in Guantanamo. He is no longer a skinny, little boy; the Air Force has bulked him up-a lot. He loves the Air Force, and the Air Force loves him.

09/20/2019

A huge thank you to the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Department, Evansville Police Department, 911 Dispatch People (“stay inside, and let the police do their job”) and RING security products for apprehending the 2 thieves that broke into my barn at 12:37 Friday morning! I can’t thank you enough.

09/06/2019

A friend asked about shipping some of my tomatoes to a mutual friend in Florida. Does anyone have any successful (or unsuccessful) experience in doing this? Suggestions? Thanks