Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center (NEPAC)

Size and Topography

  • Four parcels totaling about 472 acres, including 367 tillable acres in Whitley County between Fort Wayne and Columbia City
  • Rolling and level topography typical of northeastern Indiana, unlike any other part of the state
  • Soils are the Morley-Glynwood and the Morley-Rawson Associations, which consist of loam, sandy loam, and clay loam soils

Heritage

Established in 1991, NEPAC is the newest Purdue Agricultural Center. Recognizing the agricultural importance of the northeast part of the state, Purdue has acquired four tracts of land for a long-awaited research center. The first tract, given in trust by Denzil Schrader in 1989, is 160 acres and is called the Schrader Farm in his memory. When Denzil Schrader convinced his neighbor, Merle Kyler, of the need for such a center, Kyler also gave part of his land. The 85 acre Kyler Farm lies two miles to the west of the main headquarters. The third piece was a 185 acre farm one mile north of the Kyler Farm that Purdue purchased at public auction from the estate of Harvey Lawrence, a Whitley County farmer.​ The fourth and final parcel was then purchased in 2018 from the Myer family. This farm is located across the road from the Lawrence farm.

Contact Us

Jon Leuck
Director, Purdue Agricultural Centers, and Project Coordinator
615 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2053
Phone: 765-494-8368
Email: leuckj@purdue.edu​

Alex Helms
Assistant Director, Purdue Agricultural Centers 
615 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2053
Phone: 765-494-8367
Email: helms0@purdue.edu

Chris Lake
Northeast-Purdue Agricultural Center, Superintendent
4821 East 400 South
Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone: 260-244-7290title="Call: 260-244-7290"> (also fax)
Email: cclake@purdue.edu

Resources

  • Diagnostic Training Center, site of annual training for Commercial Pesticide Applicators, Certified Crop Advisors, and farmers
  • A pond near the office and constructed wetlands about two miles west of the office used for pond and environmental management workshops
  • Timber parcels jointly managed with the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Precision agricultural equipment, GPS and AutoSteer technology
  • Plots of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa used for tours, special training events, and annual field days

current Research

Agricultural research conducted at NEPAC transfers more readily to area farmers than that conducted on the flat black prairie soils of west central Indiana or the soils of other regional PACs. Farmers near NEPAC want to know how a particular practice or management system is going to work on their farm. Research therefore has focused on row-crop production. Current research includes projects related to fertility; insect, weed, and disease control; corn, and soybean production trials; and tillage systems.

Researchers in the Departments of Agronomy, Botany and Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Agricultural and Biological Engineering are currently conducting research at NEPAC.  

Learn More About PAC's

PAC Events

PAC Events

farmers on edge of field during training day
2023 Field Days & Training Events

The Purdue Agricultural Centers (PACS) will be offering public field days, workshops, and other events in 2023. These events provide educational opportunities for commodity producers, crop/livestock advisers, and others seeking knowledge in crop...

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