Awards

The Purdue EDGE in Ag Team recognized three Indiana residents for their dedication and leadership during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair on Thursday Aug. 7.

“Each year, Purdue Extension has celebrated the accomplishments of three outstanding individuals in Indiana’s agriculture industry. It is a pleasure to highlight each of these individuals and their many accomplishments,” said Angie Abbott, interim director of Purdue Extension and associate dean of agriculture.

Purdue University student Alexandra Merritt received the Emerging Leader in Agriculture Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a high school or undergraduate student who has made a positive impact on agriculture. Merritt is a fifth-generation swine and grain farmer from northern Indiana. She is double majoring in agricultural communications and agricultural sales and marketing.

Merritt has been a tireless advocate for Indiana agriculture through her leadership, public engagement and hands-on communication work. Her internships with the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture provided platforms to amplify her advocacy efforts. Merritt is passionate about advocating for agriculture and aspires to pursue a career in communications or public relations within the industry after graduation.

Sandy Kleine, St. Joseph County, is the 2025 Purdue EDGE in Ag Achievement Award winner. This award recognizes individuals who are directly involved in a home farm operation. Kleine grew up alongside her two brothers on a diverse farm, where they raised feeder hogs; managed a cow-calf operation and produced corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and straw. She and her husband Kenny Kleine continue the farming legacy and grow seed corn for Pioneer as well as commercial corn and soybeans. Kleine plays an essential role in the day-to-day operation of the farm — managing the paperwork and bookkeeping, coordinating parts and supplies, delivering meals during long days in the field and getting in the tractor whenever she can. 

Off the farm, Kleine plays a key role in educating the community and inspiring future generations to understand and appreciate agriculture. She has been a dedicated advocate for Indiana agriculture through her active role on the St. Joseph County Ag Team, where she serves as secretary and helps plan the annual Ag Days event.

The Purdue EDGE in Ag Leadership Award recognizes an individual in an agribusiness or policymaking position who has actively influenced Indiana agriculture. Lisa Holscher, Director of the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI), was honored with the 2025 award. Holscher’s career has been devoted to the agricultural and conservation sectors. Before leading CCSI, she taught precision ag with Vincennes University and owned her own business, Agriculture Information Technology, LLC.  As an entrepreneur, she worked with West Central Indiana Watershed Alliance, John Deere and AgLeader.  

The training CCSI offers ensures that there are agriculture professionals, agency staff and farmer mentors who are able to work with producers across the state to be successful, even without the added incentive of government payments.

Holscher helped with the formation of the new farmer mentor program in Indiana, led by Jim Moseley, local farmer and former USDA deputy secretary of agriculture.  In all these interactions, Holscher is a leading participant, making suggestions, offering assistance and helping connect people and ideas in ways that facilitate success.   

The Purdue EDGE in Ag awards committee was co-chaired by Jenna Nees, an Extension educator in Putnam County, and Jesi Davenport, an Extension educator in LaPorte County. The Purdue EDGE in Ag Team provides educational opportunities and resources for those in the agriculture industry and coordinates the Ag Engage Conference. 

In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance at vpec@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.