Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm
The Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm is located in the Central Till Plain natural region in Tippecanoe County. Originally, this property was owned and utilized by the Horticulture department for fruit and vegetable research. With close proximity to campus, it created opportunities for extension, teaching, and research. The tillable ground filled the research needs required for tree research field trials and orchards. The property came with a dense infestation of non-native shrubs, so the focus has been on forest restoration work including large areas of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) removal. Some compartments on property have higher quality oak and hickory hardwoods, acting as a seed source for locations with more intensive management work being conducted. The Cox-Haggerty property is a part of Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm as well.
Property Statistics
- 452 total, 296 forested
- Acquired: 2004
More About Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm
- Access the list of present and past research from this property
- Originally purchased by Horticulture department for fruit and vegetable research
- Facilities:
- 6 barns for various storage
- Wood working shop
- Small Conference room and offices with heated storage spaces
- Heated shop and wood dry kiln
- Large outdoor cooler for overwintering/holding research trees
- 95 acres of forested had initial treatment to remove nonnative plant and tree species -- 2020
Please contact the property manager for a copy of this property’s management plan.
Property Manager:
Brian D. Beheler
Phone: 765-496-5015
Fax: 765-583-3512
Email: behelerb@purdue.edu
Field day held for students and community members to remove invasive species using brushsaws and herbicide. Photo by Brian Beheler. 
Removal of black cherry (Prunus serotinus) research planation after research was conducted. Photo by Brian Beheler. 
Restoration tree planting after removal of non-native invasive species. Photo by Brian Beheler. 