Purdue Agriculture

Researcher hungry to improve healthiness of processed foods

Thursday, July 2nd, 2020

“My research is at the intersection of food science and nutrition – creating new foods that impact health,” explained Sarah Corwin, a doctoral candidate in the department of food science. “We are translating science all the way to something that could impact lives.”

Backyard birding, Tips to attract birds to your nest

Thursday, July 2nd, 2020

“Being trapped inside during the coronavirus pandemic has been hard on my mental health, as I’m sure it has been for many of us,” shared Jessica Outcalt. “Defending my dissertation three days before the world began shutting down, finishing my degree in the middle of a global pandemic and graduating with my Ph.D. via a virtual ceremony I watched while birds sang in my backyard was a wild experience.

Providing a local perspective on global climate change

Tuesday, June 30th, 2020

How important is climate change to you personally?

This question is guaranteed to produce a wide range of opinions across America. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication groups the American public into six audiences – alarmed, concerned, cautious, disengaged, doubtful and dismissive.

Celebrate National Dairy Month with homemade ice cream

Thursday, June 25th, 2020

“Dairy farmers work tirelessly every day–not only to feed their own families but to feed yours as well…Producing milk for the world promotes good nutrition, creates sources of income and increases food security,” explained Kylei Klein, a senior studying agricultural education at Purdue. “I’m amazed when I think about how farmers are willing to work that hard for me when they don’t even know who I am.”

Purdue Ag Alumni Association volunteer earns national award

Friday, June 19th, 2020

“Ben Carter is an outstanding servant leader for the Purdue Ag Alumni Association and the College of Agriculture,” said Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of the College of Agriculture. “He is always there to lend a helping hand, whether it is at alumni events, the state fair, or helping to advocate for agriculture. He can be counted on to deliver in all circumstances and does it with a smile.”

Agritourism offers safe summer fun during COVID-19

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

By day, Marshall Martin is a professor of agricultural economics, the senior associate director of agricultural research and graduate education and assistant dean in the College of Agriculture. In the evenings, he’s known to many customers as just the “blueberry man.”

While much at Martin Acres LLC, the West Lafayette farm he manages with his wife, Berdine, remains the same this year, they are taking precautions due to COVID-19. Martin is basing these necessary safety adjustments on guidelines for U-pick operations published by Purdue Extension.

Horticulture professor shares essential advice for a healthy lawn

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

“Plants don’t know COVID-19 is here,” said Cale Bigelow, a professor of horticulture at Purdue University. “They don’t know if it’s a weekend or holiday. They’ve still got to be taken care of.”

With Americans spending more time at home, Bigelow sees an opportunity for homeowners to tackle postponed lawn care projects and get their yards in top shape. Bigelow shared his advice on how to have a healthy lawn.

What do Purdue Agriculture faculty recommend for your summer reading list?

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

Professor and pilot John Lumkes loves the view from 1,000 feet

Monday, June 15th, 2020

Like many small kids, Lumkes, Purdue professor of Ag. and Biological Engineering and assistant dean of the office of academic programs, dreamed about flying.

As an eight-year-old, Lumkes would gaze at the sky, watching planes take off and land at the Lake Lawn Airport, just two miles from the family farm near Delavan, Wis.

“We got an old scanner out of the trash and fixed it so we could listen to the pilots,” said Lumkes.

Entering its third year, fermentation minor holds major appeal

Thursday, June 11th, 2020

“I remember microbiology being the most intimidating part of food science when I was a student at Purdue,” recalled Allison Kingery, now a senior academic advisor in the department of food science. “I thought microbiology sounded like something we should be trying to prevent. Now I see it through the positive lens of fermentation.

Purdue Agronomy professor reflects on 35-year research project

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

“I was the new kid on the block when this project started in 1982,” said Eileen Kladivko, professor of agronomy at Purdue University. “I knew almost nothing about drainage, but that quickly changed.”
Kladivko began her career at Purdue University as an assistant professor of agronomy. Little did she realize that for the next 35 years, she would work on a water drainage project that she initially learned about during her interview.

Celebrating dairy products and community in Indiana

Monday, June 8th, 2020

Since 1937, it has been a national tradition to celebrate dairy every June. Originally organized by a group of grocers to promote the distribution of milk in the heat of summer, the tradition has expanded to celebrate all dairy products and the people behind them. While the world grapples with radical change, there is no better time to celebrate the gathering of people and nutritious food around the table.

Graduate researcher tracks billbugs

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020

Marian Rodriguez-Soto remembers visiting her aunt’s garden as a young girl and being puzzled by the cabbages. Some looked different, so she asked her aunt for an explanation. “She told me they were sick,” Rodriguez-Soto recalled. “I was little, so my mind was blown – I didn’t believe that plants got sick.”

Teacher of Purdue’s first meat science course reflects on lifetime of research

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

After 75 years, Max Judge still recalls a simple question that set the course for decades of progress in meat science.

Growing up on a farm in Henry County, Judge showed pigs through 4-H. “In 1945, I had the opportunity to host the county pig tour,” Judge recalled. “Lo and behold, leading the tour was Hobe Jones.” Jones taught animal sciences at Purdue for 38 years. “I was excited to tell Hobe that my brother had worked with pigs at Purdue under Cliff Breeden. My brother had told me that Cliff kept his pigs from getting too fat by feeding them by hand instead of on a feeder.”

Indiana State Chemist retires after a career spent serving Hoosiers

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

ASEC student elected MANRRS National Graduate Student President

Tuesday, May 19th, 2020

As an undergraduate student, Zachary Brown studied animal science and played football at Southern University and A&M College. “Sports kept me busy. I didn’t have the time to pursue internships or join club activities like other students did.” With his focus largely on the team, Brown was not involved in other organizations.

Senior’s legacy is an award-winning example of leadership

Thursday, May 14th, 2020

“I don’t know that I’ve ever called myself a leader. I just try to inspire people and give them the tools they need to succeed,” said Dane Chapman, a senior who majored in agribusiness.

While Chapman is hesitant to place the title of leader on himself, others who have worked with him call Chapman an ideal example, as did the 2020 France A. Córdova Leadership in Action Award’s selection committee, comprised of staff involved in leadership and student development programming.

Homeschooled student excels through collaboration

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Stephen Schwartz experienced a bizarre sense of deja vu in his final weeks at Purdue, finding them oddly similar to his high school years: finishing his degree online while at the top of his class. However, Schwartz admits his satisfaction at being selected for the 2020 G.A. Ross Award as the top male student in Purdue’s graduating class of roughly 8,000 students outshines his accomplishments in his homeschool class of one.

Student teaches agriculture to improve children’s lives

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

“I had heard about Purdue when I was in Africa; how it requires you to be smart and to work extra hard, but that the university is unique,” said Theoneste Nzaranyimana, “I was inspired that if I get into this university, my dream could come true.”

Award-winning College of Agriculture mentors follow in others’ footsteps — and leave imprints of their own

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

The College of Agriculture’s outstanding student mentors and teaching assistant have one thing in common: Each benefited from impactful mentoring along their own paths to academic and personal success.

MS student Liz Alexander and PhD student Samira Fatemi are recipients of the 2020 Pathmaker Awards, sponsored by the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association to recognize effective mentoring of undergraduate researchers-in-training and fellow graduate students. PhD candidate Jon Knott has been named the College of Agriculture’s 2020 Outstanding Teaching Assistant. Here, each award winner shares insights into the benefits of mentoring, both to their mentees and to themselves.