>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A NEW PROGRAM AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS HELPING FIGHT OVERDOSES BY TRAINING EVERYDAY CITIZENS HOW TO ADMINISTER THE OPIOID ANTIDOTES, NARCAN.

>> FIREFIGHTERS, E.M.S.

ARE REGULARLY -- THEY ARE SEEING THESE NUMBERS INCREASE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE SAYING TO US WE NEED THIS TYPE OF INTERVENTION RIGHT NOW.

>> THE PROGRAM IS IN PLACE IN FIVE COUNTIES, BUT IS EXPECTED TO EXPAND AROUND THE STATE.

>>> IT'S HARVEST SEASON IN INDIANA, BUT MANY FARMERS ARE TILLING MORE FIELDS THAN JUST THEIR OWN.

>> THEY TEND TO WORK WITH NOW SIX OR SEVEN, SOMETIMES UP TO A DOZEN DIFFERENT LANDLORDS.

>> AHEAD, HOW TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING TO CONNECT LANDOWNERS AND FARMERS.

>>> AND LABOR SHORTAGES SPAWNED BY THE PANDEMIC ARE HELPING THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY HARD, LEADING TO SHORTENED HOURS AND CLOSURES.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA'S DEATH TOLL FROM COVID-19 HIT ANOTHER MILESTONE THIS WEEK, TOPPING 15,000 SINCE THE BEGINNING THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE OVERALL NUMBER OF CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND POSITIVITY RATES ARE STARTING TO TREND DOWN.

AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH REPORTS, STATE'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS STILL STRETCHED THIN.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE POSITIVE SIGNS THAT INDIANA MAY BE EMERGING FROM THE SURGE OF COVID-19 CASES IT HAS EXPERIENCED THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT THEY STILL URGE CAUTION AS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE STRAINED.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. KRIS BOX SAYS THE NUMBER OF CASES PER DAY AND AVERAGE POSITIVITY RATE IS STARTING TO COME DOWN BUT SHE ALSO SAYS IMPROVEMENT WON'T NECESSARILY BE STEADY.

>> WE MAY SEE CASES BOUNCE BACK UP AND BOUNCE BACK DOWN.

IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES, THAT'S WHEN THEY SEE, A SAW TOOTH PATTERN.

THAT'S THE NATURE OF THIS DISEASE.

>> YET, EVEN AS CASES IMPROVE, HOSPITAL CAPACITIES STILL STRETCH TO THE LIMIT, HIGHER THAN AT ANY TIME IN 2020 OR 2019.

BOX SAYS THAT'S IN PART BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FINALLY RECEIVING CARE FOR NON-COVID CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DR. LINDSEY WEAVER SAYS THE STATE DIDN'T SEE AS BIG A SPIKE IN COVID VACCINATIONS AS SHE HOPED AFTER IT WAS GRANTED FULL FDA APPROVAL.

SHE SAYS ABOUT 5 TO 6,000 HOOSIERS GET FULLY VACCINATED EACH DAY.

>> IF WE CONTINUE THAT PACE, IT COULD BE WELL OVER ANOTHER YEAR BEFORE WE ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT LEVELS OF IMMUNIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ROBUST PROTECTION FOR THE POPULATION AT LARGE.

>> BOTH BOX AND WEAVER SAY VACCINES ARE THE ANSWER TO ENDING THE PANDEMIC.

I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> BOX WENT OUT OF HER WAY TO URGE PREGNANT WOMEN TO GET VACCINATED.

COVID-19 CAUSES MORE SERIOUS DISEASE IN THOSE WHO ARE PREGNANT AS OPPOSED TO PEOPLE THE SAME AGE WHO AREN'T.

>> COVID-19 ALSO INCREASES THE RISK FOR POOR PREGNANCY OUTCOMES, LIKE STILLBIRTH AND PRETERM BIRTH.

>> LESS THAN HALF OF ELIGIBLE HOOSIERS YOUNGER THAN 50 ARE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAVE EXTENDED THE COUNTY MASK MANDATE THROUGH OCTOBER 31st.

THE MOVE COMES EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTY'S POSITIVITY RATE HAS DROPPED BELOW 5%, MAKING IT JUST ONE OF TWO COUNTIES IN THE STATE WITH THE POSITIVITY RATE THAT LOW.

NOW, IF MONROE COUNTY DROPS TO THE BLUE ADVISORY LEVEL, MEANING THERE ARE FEWER THAN 10 NEW CASES PER 100,000, THE MASK ORDER WILL AUTOMATICALLY EXPIRE.

>>> INDIANA HAS INCREASED EFFORTS IN RECENT YEARS TO MAKE THE OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE NARCAN AVAILABLE TO MORE HOOSIERS BUT A NEW PROGRAM FROM I.U.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS TAKING MATTERS INTO ITS OWN HANDS AND EDUCATING HOOSIERS ON HOW TO USE NARCAN AND BE A CITIZEN RESPONDER.

MITCH LEGAN HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE AMY POWELL'S YOUNGEST SON DIED FROM AN ACCIDENTAL OPIOID OVERDOSE.

>> WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME OUT ON THESE FIELDS AFTER SCHOOL, WATCHING ALL THREE BOYS PLAY.

>> THE THOUGHT OF LOSING THE YOUNGEST POWELL WAS SO PAINFUL THAT THEY WAITED UNTIL RECENTLY TO DEDICATE A BENCH IN HIS MEMORY AT THE FAVORITE BALLPARK.

>> CAMERON WAS A NORMAL KID IN THAT HE WAS DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, SNEAKING OUT OF THE HOUSE, GOING OUT WITH HIS FRIENDS, JUST HAVING A GOOD TIME.

I NEVER SUSPECTED ANY DRUG USE FROM CAMERON.

>> CAMERON BEGAN FEELING ILL ONE DAY AT SCHOOL TWO YEARS AGO.

HE HAD TAKEN AN OPIOID EARLIER THAT MORNING, BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU TELL MOM OR THE SCHOOL NURSE.

>> AND WAS COMPLAINING OF HIS STOMACH HURTING.

HE WAS NAUSEATED.

WHEN THEY WENT TO WAKE HIM UP, HE WAS HARD TO ROUSE, HE WAS SNORING.

NO ONE WAS AWARE HE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF A NEAR OVERDOSE.

HE IT WAS LACED FENTANYL AND HE NEVER WOKE UP.

>> IT WAS PLAIN AS DAY IN HINDSIGHT.

THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETE STOP AND CHECK-IN WITH CAMERON TO SEE HOW HE WAS DOING LEADING UP TO HIS DEATH.

>> A NEW PROGRAM WANTS TO PREVENT STORIES LIKE CAMERON'S.

>> I HAVE TWO DOSES OF NARCAN, BECAUSE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IS TO PROVIDE TWO IN EVERY KIT.

>> CRIS HENDERSON RUNS I.U.

'S RAPID RESPONSE SYSTEM, A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT'S EDUCATING HOOSIERS ABOUT OPIOID OVERDOSES AND HOW TO RESPOND TO THEM.

LAUNCHED LAST SEPTEMBER, THEY TRAIN PEOPLE HOW TO ADMINISTER NARCAN AND CONNECTS THEM WITH POSSIBLE OVERDOSE EVENTS.

>> FIREFIGHTERS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, E.M.S., ARE REGULARLY -- THEY ARE SEEING THESE NUMBERS INCREASE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE SAYING TO US, WE NEED THIS TYPE OF INTERVENTION RIGHT NOW.

>> THE ORRS PROGRAM AS HENDERSON LIKES TO CALL, IT BUILDS OFF A PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN CLARK COUNTY.

IT'S SELF-PACED AND TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

AFTER SOMEONE IS TRAINED ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO AN OVERDOSE, THEY SIGN UP FOR AN APP THAT ALERTS THEM WHEN ONE IS NEARBY.

>> WE ONLY SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN COMMUNITIES THAT WERE IN PULSEPOINT.

SO WE CONNECT PEOPLE IN REALTIME TO POSSIBLE OVERDOSE EVENTS AND RENDER AID.

>> RESIDENTS OF BOONE, DEARBORN, HANCOCK, MONROE, ANOMALADYSON COUNTY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR -- AND MADISON COUNTY, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ORRS TRAINING.

THE PULSEPOINT APP WILL CONNECT YOU TO POSSIBLE OVERDOSE EVENTS NEARBY.

THE THOUGHT IS IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET THERE BEFORE EMERGENCY AUTHORITIES AND SAVE A LIFE.

>> I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLE.

I THINK IT'S CRAZY NOT TO DO IT.

THERE'S SUCH A NEED FOR EDUCATING OUR -- OUR TEACHERS, OUR FAMILIES.

>> EMERGENCY PROFESSIONALS AGREE.

THEY DO THEIR BEST TO PROMPTLY RESPOND TO CALLS BUT IT'S TOUGH TO BE EVERYWHERE AT ONCE, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS AND WHEN IT COMES TO OVERDOSES, MINUTES CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

>> NARCAN IS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT SOMEBODY FROM O.D.ING.

AND SO WHATEVER MEANS, GET IT TO THE SCENE, IT WILL SEND UP SAVING LIVES.

>> THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCED RECORD OVERDOSE DEATHS LAST YEAR.

INDIANA DID TOO, AN ESTIMATED 560 MORE HOOSIERS DIED LAST YEAR COMPARED TO 2019.

>> THE PANDEMIC REALLY, BECAUSE SO MANY MORE OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE HAPPENED, IT'S REALLY REINFORCED THE NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF INTERVENTION TO BE AVAILABLE.

>> HENDERSON IS WORKING TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO 10 MORE INDIANA COUNTIES.

THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE STATE OFFICE OF DRUG PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND ENFORCEMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM DRUG-FREE MARION COUNTY HAVE REACHED OUT ABOUT A POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> THOSE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR THE TRAINING CAN VISIT PREVENTION.I.U..EDU FOR DETAILS.

>>> WELL, IF YOU HAVE GONE OUT TO EAT LATELY, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

HELP WANTED SIGNS, LIMITED HOURS OF OPERATION, AND CLOSURES POINT TO A NEED FOR WORKERS.

PAT BEANE HAS THIS REPORT FOR OUR CITY LIMITS PROJECT.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL ON BOB COSTELLO WHO OWNS THREE SOMA COFFEE HOUSES AND THE LAUGHING PLANET AND THE DELI.

HE TEMPORARILY CLOSED THE VILLAGE DELI, A BLOOMINGTON STAPLE ON KIRKWOOD.

>> THE END OF JULY, I DECIDED I WOULD TAKE A REST, BECAUSE TRYING TO OPERATE THE VILLAGE DELI AND HAVING ABOUT 25% OF THE STAFF REQUIRED TO RUN IT GOT TO A POINT WHERE WE WERE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY EXHAUSTED.

>> HE REOPENED THE VILLAGE DELI EARLIER THIS MONTH BUT IN A LIMITED FASHION.

IT OFFERS CARRYOUTS ONLY ON FRIDAY AND LIMITED DINING ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

AND ALL THREE SOMA COFFEES REMAIN OPEN, BUT THE LAUGHING PLANET FELL.

>> I JUST COULDN'T -- I COULDN'T SUSTAIN IT.

>> THE LABOR SHORTAGE BECAME A NATIONAL ISSUE WHEN RESTAURANTS AND BARS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE DUE TO VARIOUS STATE MANDATES.

THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IN INDIANA LOST 215,000 EMPLOYEES OVERNIGHT.

GETTING THEM BACK NOW THAT RESTAURANTS REMAIN OPEN REMAINS AN ISSUE.

72% OF OWNERS SAID RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF WORKFORCE WAS THEIR TOP CHALLENGE.

SEKOU SILBY IS THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTER UNITED, A NONPROFIT IN NEW YORK.

HE SAYS ONE OF THE ISSUE IS FRONT OF THE HOUSE RESTAURANT WORKERS HAD TO POLICE CUSTOMERS WOULD REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH MASK MANDATES.

>> AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF WORKERS, WHO WANTED TO GO TO WORK, BUT THEY WERE EXPOSING THE FAMILY WHILE GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THERE ARE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN SAFETY, BUT THE SAFETY OF THE WORKERS.

>> THE BIGGER ISSUE IS LOW WAGES AND LACK OF BENEFITS SUCH AS INSURANCE AND PAID SICK DAYS BUT INCREASING WAGES IS SOMETHING THAT MANY RESTAURANTS, BOTH DINE-IN AND FAST FOOD ARE DOING TO TRY TO ENTICE WORKERS.

>> WE INCREASED OUR WAGES, WE PAY SERVERS $5.02 $5.25 AND WE PAY OUR SUPPORT $9 AN HOUR PLUS TIPS AND THE KITCHEN IS GETTING PAID $13 TO $18 PLUS TIPS AS WELL.

>> BUT SILBY, SAYS THAT ONLY HURTS SMALL INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS.

>> THE GOVERNMENT CAN GET INVOLVED AND CREATE A POLICY, WHICH MEANS, YOU KNOW, INCREASING WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS AND CREATING A POLICY TO SAY, YOU KNOW, $16, $15, ET CETERA, IT WILL LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED IS CORPORATION, LARGER CORPORATIONS HAVE THE MEANS TO INCREASE THOSE WAGES AND THE SMALLER RESTAURANTS STRUGGLE.

>> RESTAURANTS ARE NOT ONLY FACING A SHORTAGE OF LABOR, THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAS BEEN DISRUPTED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MENU.

>> THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE OUT OF A PRODUCT TILL THEY ARE AT YOUR DOOR DELIVERING IT AND THEY WILL SAY, OH, BY THE WAY, WE DON'T HAVE THIS.

WE DON'T HAVE THIS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL GET IT.

>> THAT JUST ADDS TO PROBLEMS RESTAURANTS ARE FACING AND WHY THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY ARE ASKING CUSTOMERS TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF CIVILITY AND PATIENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS PEOPLE TO WORK IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DIVERSITY OF CHOICE, WHEN IT COMES TO DINING OUT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>> MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE GATHERED ON THE BANKS OF WABASH RIVER SUNDAY TO DEDICATE AN HISTORICAL MARKER TO TERRE HAUTE AND VIGO COUNTY'S ONLY KNOWN LYNCHING, GREAT GRANDSON OF GEORGE WARD, THE BLACK MAN LYNCHED IN 1901 WAS AMONG FOUR GENERATIONS OF WARDS ON HAND.

>> YOU HAVE PIERCED A DARK CLOUD IN THIS CITY WITH A RED LIGHT AND HOPE.

OUR DESIRE IS TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE TODAY TO THE INJUSTICES OF THE PAST, SO THAT THE FUTURE WILL NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THESE ATROCITIES AGAIN.

>> TERRE HAUTE IS THE FIRST CITY IN INDIANA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES COMMUNITY REMEMBRANCE PROJECT WHICH AIMS TO PUT HISTORICAL MARKERS AT LYNCHING SITES.

VIGO COUNTY IS ONE OF 11 INDIANA COUNTIES TO HAVE HAD A RACIAL LYNCHING.

THE EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE LISTS 18 IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MUCH OF THE FARMLAND IN THE STATE IS NOT OWNED BY THE FARMERS WORKING THE FIELDS, BUT BY INDIVIDUALS WHO RENT OUT THE LAND.

AND THE MIKE WOODSON COACHING ERA FOR INDIANA BASKETBALL OFFICIALLY TIPS OFF ON SATURDAY WITH THE ANNUAL LOOSER HOOSIER HYSTERIA EVENT.

THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WIND TURBINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND SOLAR PANEL INSTALLER ARE TWO OF THE FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN THE U.S.

IF PASSED, THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION, THOSE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH CONGRESS ARE ONLY GOING TO INCREASE DEMAND FOR THOSE WORKERS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING REBECCA THIELE'S REPORT SAYS TRAINING WORKERS TO DO THESE JOBS WILL BE CRITICAL.

>> THE MEDIUM PAY FOR WIND TURBINE WORKERS IN THE U.S. LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT $56,000 A YEAR.

FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLERS, IT WAS $46,000.

BUT HOOSIERS WON'T BE ABLE TO ACCESS THESE JOBS WITHOUT TRAINING.

CONGRESSMAN MURBAN SAYS IT'S HIS GOAL TO SECURE FUNDING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE RECONCILIATION GOALS FOR APPRENTICESHIP AND OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

>> TEEN CLOCKS,CLEAN JOBS, THEY ARE UNION JOBS.

THEY ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN PEOPLE'S FAMILIES, AND THEY ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN HEALTHCARE, AND PUTTING KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE.

>> IT WOULD INCREASE THE NEED FOR MORE WORKERS FOR ROADS, BRIDGES, WATER PIPES, AIRPORTS AND MASS TRANSIT.

SOME ANALYSTS ARE CONCERNED THE DEMAND FOR WORKERS WILL OUTPACE THE FUNDING TO TRAIN THEM ALL.

HE SAYS INVESTMENTS IN CHILD CARE AND SENIOR CARE TO GET MORE WOMEN BACK TO WORK WHO HAVE LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC IS ALSO VITAL TO BOOST THE U.S. ECONOMY.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HARD.

THERE'S BEEN AN ECONOMIC CRISIS IN THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN STATISTICALLY WHO HAVE GONE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE, IS AT TOO LOW OF A LEVEL.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> WELL, OFTEN NOT ALL THE LAND A FARMER WORKS IS HIS OWN.

BROCK TURNER REPORTS ON HOW TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING TO CONNECT FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS.

>> IT'S HARVEST SEASON AND LIKE SO MANY PLACES ACROSS THE STATE, FARMERS ARE GETTING READY TO WORK THEIR FIELDS.

IN MANY CASES, IT'S NOT THE FOLKS WHO OWN THIS LAND WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FARMING IT, BUT LIKE SO MANY OTHER BUSINESSES, TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE WAY FARMERS FIND ANYWHERE NEXT BUMPER CROP.

DAVID MUSSELMAN HAS BEEN A FARMER IN HAMILTON COUNTY HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

>> GROWING UP HERE, DAD HAD ME OUT DRIVING A TRACTOR WHEN I WAS 4 OR 5 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE STAYED WITH IT.

>> WHILE HE AND HIS FAMILY OWN ABOUT 500 ACRES, THEY FARM MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

MUSSELMAN AND MOST OTHER FARMERS GROW THEIR OPERATIONS BY LEASING LAND.

WHILE DATA ON THE SUBJECT IS HARD TO TRACK, EXPERTS AGREE THE NUMBER OF INDIANA FARMERS WITH AT LEAST SOME RENTED LAND IS SIZABLE.

>> ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE SOME AMOUNT OF RENTED LAND.

>> SOME RESEARCH ESTIMATES 40% OF ALL U.S.

FARMLAND IS RENTED, WHICH TRANSLATES TO AROUND 350 MILLION ACRES ANNUALLY.

FOR MOST CORN AND SOYBEAN FARMERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAREERS, OWNING ALL OF THEIR LAND IS OUT OF THE QUESTION.

>> THEY TEND TO WORK WITH, YOU KNOW, 6 OR 7, SOMETIMES UPWARDS TO A DOZEN DIFFERENT LANDLORDS.

THEY ALSO DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO KNOW THEIR OTHER LANDLORDS TO KNOW KIND OF WHAT THEY ARE PAYING SOME OF THE OTHER LANDLORDOR LORDS.

LANDLORDOR -- LANDLORDS.

IT'S REALLY TRICKY TO TELL.

>> DESPITE THE SECRECY, LOCALS ARE AT THE ROOT.

>> I'M FRIENDS WITH EVERYBODY THAT I FARM WITH, YOU KNOW?

AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR 5 YEARS.

>>> LANDLANDOWNERS WHO DON'T HAVE STRONG TIES STRUGGLE TO FIND FARMERS TO LEASE THEIR LOT.

>> WE LIVE 40 MILES AWAY FROM OUR LOT.

I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH ANY FARMER.

>> FOR SINGH AND OTHER LANDOWNERS.

>> THEY CONNECTED ON THE TILLABLE APP WHICH CONNECTS LAND OWNERS TO FARMERS.

WHILE THEY DON'T NECESSARILY MEET THEIR FARMERS, TODAY WAS DIFFERENT.

>> WE BOUGHT THIS LAND TWO YEARS AGO.

SO THE GOAL WAS TO BUILD A HOUSE HERE, AWAY FROM THE CITY.

STILL IN THE CITY LIMITS, AND COVID HIT.

THE PLAN DIDN'T GO AS WE, YOU KNOW, THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

>> EVEN THOUGH EXPERTS AGREE THE VAST MAJORITY OF AGREEMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE OFFLINE, TILLABLE IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE A DECADE'S LONG PRACTICE FEW OUTSIDE OF AGRICULTURE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT?

>> THIS IS A PART OF AGRICULTURE THAT REALLY DOESN'T GET MUCH ATTENTION.

>> WHILE TILLABLE AND OTHER NETWORKS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF THE TOTAL TRANSACTS.

IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE INNOVATION THAT INFILTRATED OTHER PARTS OF AGRICULTURE REACH THESE TYPES OF AGREEMENTS.

>> IT WILL BE A HUGE STRUCTURAL DIFFERENT, BUT I THINK WE WILL SEE SOME MOVEMENT.

>> UNTIL THEN, MUSSELMAN HAS FEW PLANS TO CHANGE THE WAY HE BROKERS OTHER AGREEMENTS.

>> I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, IT WILL STAY WITH WHO YOU KNOW.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>>> WELL, INDIANA IS IN THE HEIGHT OF GINSENG HARVEST SEASON, WHICH RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER, BUT AS BENTE BOUTHIER REPORTS, WITH THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 AND AGING HARVESTERS, SOME DEALERS SEE HARVESTING INDIANA GINSENG AS A DYING ART.

>> MICHAEL BARTLETT HIKES THROUGH A DARK FORESTED AREA SEARCHING FOR JEN SING, GINSENG, IT'S BELIEVED TO HAVE MEDICAL BENEFITS THAT MAKE IT VALUABLE, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA MARKETS.

FROM SOUTHERN INDIANA, HE WENT HUNTING FOR GINSENG FOR THE FIRST TIME NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO.

>> IT WAS A WAY TO MAKE AN INCOME AS A KID.

YOU KNOW, I GREW UP ON A FARM, BUT YOU PRETTY MUCH HAD TO GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING ELSE ON THE WEEKENDS TO MAKE -- MAKE SOME MONEY, YOU KNOW?

SO I -- I BOUGHTEN A LOT OF TOUGH THROUGH THE YEARS JUST DIGGING GINSENG.

>> NOW HE WORKS WITH BRENT DUNCAN TO BUY GINSENG FROM HARVESTERS AND HE AND DUNCAN CULTIVATE THEIR OWN SMALL CROP.

>> THIS IS A THREE-PRONG PLANT RIGHT HERE.

THAT'S -- THEY HAVE TO BE AT LEAST THREE WRONG AND BE ABLE TO SEED TO DIG.

SO THIS PLANT HAS PROBABLY ALREADY SAID ITS SEED FOR THE YEAR.

>> AFTER SO MANY YEARS HE'S LEARNED THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

>> YOU ALWAYS CLEAR YOUR SPOT OUT AROUND THE PLANT, THAT WAY YOU CAN SEE THE WAY STEM IS RUNNING.

>> BARTLETT JOINS JOINS DUNCANS BUSINESS IN 2005.

AMERICAN JEN SING GINSENG IS ONE OF THEIR MORE VALUABLE PURPOSES.

FEWER PEOPLE COME IN TO SELL GINSENG AND YOUNGER HARVESTERS DON'T HAVE THE SAME KNOWLEDGE AS OLDER GENERATIONS.

>> IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THE DECLINE OF IT.

THE LOSS OF HARVESTERS, THE PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT ARE JUST TOO OLD TO GO DO IT ANYMORE.

>> AND DUNCAN SAYS THE MARKET GOT OFF TO A BUMPY START LAST YEAR WITH COVID-19.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GET OUT IN PUBLIC AND WE'RE STILL REELING FROM THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> DUNCAN SAYS ALL THE GINSENG FROM DUNCANS BOTANICALS IS SOLD TO SOUTHEAST ASIA.

HE DIDN'T EXPECT TO BUY AS MUCH GINSENG FROM HARVESTERS IN THE MAST BUT HOPES THINGS WILL LOOK MORE NORMAL NEXT YEAR.

A CURRENT PRICE FOR A POUND OF WILD GINSENG IS $550.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THIS PLANT IS GOING TO BE AI A BIGGER ONE.

AND THAT'S WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED.

>> I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> BARTLETT AND DUNCAN SAID ANYONE INTERESTED IN IN HARVESTING SHOULD FIND DARK WOODS WHERE THEY HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION TO HARVEST.

>>> AND HOOSIER HYSTERIA.

BUT FOR THE THIRD TIME IN SIX YEARS THERE WILL BE A DIFFERENT COACH LEADING THE TEAM.

PAT BEANE REPORTS.

>> YOU CAN FORGIVE I.U.

BASKETBALL FANS FOR BEING OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE START OF A NEW SEASON UNDER A NEW COACH.

AFTER ALL, IT'S A FAN BASE HUNGRY FOR A RETURN TO THE GLORY YEARS OF I.U.

BASKETBALL.

>> OUR NANS WOULD BE CRAZY LIKE THAT IF -- OUR FANS WOULD BE CRAZY LIKE THAT IF THEY WERE 0-32.

>> I THINK HAVING A WHOLE NEW RESET AND A LOT OF BUZZ AROUND THE TEAM, I THINK IT'S REALLY POSITIVE.

>> THAT RESET WAS THE HIRING THE FORMER HOOSIER STAR MIKE WOODSON, I.U.

DID NOT BEAT PURDUE IN MILLER'S FOUR YEARS AS A COACH.

WOODSON WAS A TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN IN THE LATE 1970s AND SPENT THE PAST 40 YEARS IN THE NBA AS A PLAYER AND THEN A COACH.

AND WHEN HIS ALMA MATER CALLED, HE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.

>> I CAME BACK HERE FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY TO GET THIS TEAM BACK ON TOP.

>> IT WON'T BE EASY.

INDIANA HAS NOT WON A BIG TEN TITLE SINCE 2016.

WOODSON ALSO BROUGHT IN A HANDFUL OF TRANSFERS TO FILL IMMEDIATE HOLDS, INCLUDING GUARD XAVIER JOHNSON AND MILLER COPP.

BOTH SERVED THE EXHIBITION GAMES IN THE BAHAMAS.

>> THIS TEAM IS PROBABLY BY FAR RIGHT NOW IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE TEAM THAT I HAVE BEEN ON.

I'M NOT SAYING THERE'S ANY BAD BLOOD WITH THE OTHER GUYS.

IT'S JUST DIFFERENT.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS I WAS HERE, WE HAD LITTLE GROUPS THAT EVERYONE WOULD HANG OUT WITH, BUT NOW IT'S JUST OUR WHOLE TEAM.

>> JACKSON DAVIS CREDITS WOODSON WITH MUCH OF THE ATTITUDE CHANGE AND FOR HIM, NOT OPTING TO ENTER THE NBA DRAFT AND RETURN TO INDIANA.

>> THERE'S NO -- NO, LIKE, BAD ANYTHING.

HE WAS PERFECT.

THE TRANSITION WAS SO SMOOTH.

HE CAME IN AND HE REALLY JUST BROUGHT ALMOST LIKE A POSITIVE VIBE RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

I MEAN HE CONVINCED ME TO STAY LIKE TEN MINUTES.

>> WOODSON NOT ONLY BRINGS ALMOST A DECADE OF HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE IN THE NBA TO THE EQUATION.

HE HAS STRONG TIES TO THE PROGRAM'S PAST WHEN COMPETING FOR A BIG TEN TITLE WAS A GIVEN AND HANGING BANNERS A POSSIBILITY.

ALL WOODSON HAS TO DO IS REMIND HIS TEAM OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE IS POINT UP.

>> BEFORE PRACTICE EVERY DAY, WE HUDDLE UP AND LOOK AT THE BANNERS.

WE LOOK AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP AND THEN WE LOOK AT THE FIVE TITLES AND HE SAYS, THAT'S OUR GOAL.

WE MUST START WITH THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP AND THAT'S OUR GOAL FROM DAY ONE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> FANS CAN GET THEIR FIRST LOOK AT THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TEAM DURING HOOSIER HYSTERIA 4 P.M. SATURDAY AT ASSEMBLY HALL.

THE DOORS OPEN AT 2:30 P.M. AND ADMISSION IS FREE BUT FANS ARE ASKED TO BRING A CANNED FOOD ITEM FOR DONATION.

>>> AND THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM IS BACK IN ACTION SATURDAY NIGHT FACING A BIG TEST ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

THE HOOSIERS WILL FACE FOURTH RANKED PENN STATE IN HAPPY VALLEY WHERE MORE THAN 106,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON HAND.

>> THIS IS ONE TOUGHEST PLACES TO PLAY IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT'S -- BUT THAT'S ALSO EXCITING AS WELL.

SO I HAVE COACHED IN A LOT OF THESE TYPES OF VENUES AND IT'S -- IT'S WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO.

>> SATURDAY'S GAME KICKS OFF AT 7:30 P.M. ON ABC.

AND THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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