Entomology
Purdue University to host inaugural Resilient Agriculture Summit
Some of the key principles of resilient agricultural systems include limited disturbance of soils, inclusion of cover crops and preservation of biodiversity. (Created by Maureen "Mo" Lifton of Mozart Design) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Whether it’s called sustainable, regenerative or resilient agriculture, farmers across Indiana are exploring how to be effective stewards of the land while meeting food demands for the growing global population. Exploring these ideas, Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, in partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Indiana Soybean Alliance, will host their first-ever Resilient Agriculture Summit on March 13. The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 U.S. Route 52, West Lafayette, Indiana.
This free, one-day event will offer networking and learning opportunities. Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements in resilient agriculture, discover effective practices and learn how to implement these strategies into their own operations to improve environmental sustainability and farm productivity. Additionally, participants will be asked to share questions that Purdue applied research can address going forward.
“We’re excited to host the inaugural Resilient Agriculture Summit. Purdue is bringing industry experts, researchers and farmers together to open new and different conversations,” said Christian Krupke, Dean’s Fellow for Resilient Agriculture and professor in Purdue University’s Department of Entomology.
The summit will feature individuals involved with the purchasing of corn, soybeans and other crops, as well as farmers, industry experts and Purdue University representatives and researchers from different disciplines, providing a comprehensive overview of how regenerative practices are transforming agriculture. During the morning session, attendees will hear from speakers, while the afternoon will be dedicated to participants asking questions and sharing their thoughts on future research needs.
Event speakers are:
- Caitlin Colegrove, North America sustainable agriculture lead at PepsiCo, will share insights on the company’s sustainability initiatives and long-term plans.
- Janelle Leach, conservation agronomist team lead at Cargill, will present on the perspectives and priorities of regenerative agriculture and carbon credit.
- Linda Prokopy, professor and head of Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, will provide an update on the Corn Belt’s diverse agricultural landscape.
- Barry Fisher, president of Fisher Soil Health LLC, will offer guidance on the dos and don’ts of soil health management.
- Rodney Rulon, Purdue University College of Agriculture alumnus and owner of Rulon Farm, will discuss his hands-on experience with regenerative agriculture, his personal successes and the economic realities of implementing sustainable practices into farming operations.
“Some of these challenges in agriculture — feeding the future population, safeguarding our soil and land, and addressing climate change — require changes in our practices. To implement change, it doesn’t make sense to have any group working in isolation,” Krupke said.
In addition to an engaging lineup of speakers, attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by The Juniper Spoon. For those needing recertifications, private applicator recertification permits and continuing education unit credits will be available.
While the Resilient Ag Summit is free to attend, registration is required and will close at 5 p.m. ET March 1. To register, visit the event's webpage. Contact Krupke with registration questions at ckrupke@purdue.edu.
About Purdue Agriculture
Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life and natural resource sciences. The college is committed to preparing students to make a difference in whatever careers they pursue; stretching the frontiers of science to discover solutions to some of our most pressing global, regional and local challenges; and, through Purdue Extension and other engagement programs, educating the people of Indiana, the nation and the world to improve their lives and livelihoods. To learn more about Purdue Agriculture, visit this site.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
Writer: Devyn Raver
Media contact: Devyn Ashlea Raver, draver@purdue.edu
Sources: Christian Krupke, ckrupke@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu, 765-494-8415
