Kosciusko Leadership Academy Cadets Learn About Agri-Business
Kosciusko Leadership Academy Cadets Learn About Agri-Business
Posted
Staff Report-
Kosciusko Leadership Academy Cadets Learn About Agri-BusinessOn Sept. 6, the Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets visited Creighton Brothers headquarters where Mindy Truex, president of Creighton Brothers and Crystal Lake LLC; Emily Kresca from Purdue Extension; and Janelle Deatsman from Maple Leaf Farms presented on agri-business in Kosciusko County.
Truex explained Creighton’s process through a video that depicted harvesting, cleaning, inspecting and packaging “shell eggs” and liquid egg products. A “live hen” video also demonstrated how the birds are fed and cared for. She discussed the farm’s overall operations and the challenges of raising livestock and growing feed corn. She also referenced the new additions to the farm – the Crazy Egg Café and The Roost, a banquet facility just adjacent to the headquarters. Creighton Brothers are all about creative innovation and understanding what makes healthy eggs and happy chickens and they have been in business for 97 years, according to a news release from KLA.
Kresca from Kosciusko County’s Purdue Extension gave an overview of the county’s agriculture and the economic impact of agriculture on the local economy. Kosciusko County is ranked fourth in Indiana for total agricultural products sold. Also, 94% of farms in Kosciusko County are family farms.
Deatsman represented Maple Leaf Farms and explained the history of Maple Leaf Farms and how it has grown and the many products. Maple Leaf was founded in 1958 by Donald Wentzel in Milford, the release states. The farm produces 9 to 12 million white Pekin ducks annually.
Deatsman invited the group to visit the company store at Maple Leaf’s World Headquarters in Leesburg and to try some of their ready-to-eat entrees. A wide range of down products and household goods are also available at the store.
The next KLA session will be on protecting water resources in Kosciusko County at The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, Grace College, Winona Lake on Sept. 20.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is in its 41st year of service to the county. As an independent 501(c)3 organization, KLA conducts biweekly morning sessions around the county to expose leaders to a wide variety of local topics and experts. The annual whitepaper projects have yielded many benefits to the citizens of Kosciusko County. For more information, visit www.kocsciuskoleadership.org.
