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“A major reason this project worked is because so many farmers around the state are comfortable working with Purdue Agriculture,” Ian Kaplan, professor of entomology, said. “We owe that trust to the networks and relationships Extension fosters among farmers in Indiana.”
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Karen Mitchell’s passion for plants and the environment permeates into every part of her life, professionally and personally.
“I always had an interest in the ecosystem, how things interact and how food is made. As a child, I would refer to my hamburgers as cow burgers because I thought you should recognize that it’s not made of ham or from a pig,” said Mitchell.
Established in 1949 as Purdue’s campus-based field research station for agronomic crops and soils research, the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) is home to innovative researchers, passionate students and now the center’s third farm manager.
Rachel Stevens began overseeing the 1,600-acre farm at the beginning of April. She’s responsible for the planning and placement of crops, adoption of good management practices and the day-to-day support to ensure researchers and students have the right tools to be successful.
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“It all started with riding in the tractor with my grandpa. Ever since I knew I wanted to do something in agriculture,” said Brooklynn Lahrman, senior agribusiness management major in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.
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Hemp is a versatile crop used to make a wide variety of products from textiles and rope to insulation and biofuels. Farmers across the country are increasingly growing the crop since the 2018 Farm Bill allowed for its legal cultivation, although production has dropped off since the initial spike in 2019.
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The National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation has named Scott Stump the new chief executive officer of both organizations, effective Monday, June 21. Stump’s extensive background in agricultural education, career and technical education and FFA includes a bachelor’s in agricultural education from Purdue University.
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The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges, but it also offered opportunities to explore and rediscover exploring and hiking. Around the country, outdoor activities saw a marked increase during the past year, as people searched for safe activities outside the home.
Indiana boasts 24 state parks, one national park and copious other parks and public lands that offer recreational opportunities. Angela Frost, 4-H youth development and healthy living Extension specialist, said she this trend in increased outdoor activities will continue.
Agriculture remains among the most hazardous industries in the United States. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury every day.
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Purdue’s Office of Engagement presents awards annually to university faculty and staff that highlight excellence in engaged scholarship and education. This year, there are several recipients from the College of Agriculture.
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“If you like insects, or are even just curious about them, you have a unique opportunity coming up. Get out and enjoy it while you can,” recommended Elizabeth Barnes, an exotic forest pest educator for Purdue Extension Entomology.
The 17-year cicadas of Brood X were last seen in 2004. This spring, they are set to appear across Indiana and in parts of 14 other states.
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“When it comes to lawn care, spring is one of the most important seasons for cool-season grasses like those found in most of Indiana,” said Cale Bigelow, a professor of horticulture at Purdue University specializing in turf science and ecology. “With a little intentional effort, you can make a big impact on the health of your yard for the rest of the year.”
Bigelow answered several frequently asked questions about spring lawn care.
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Milk, meat, fresh cheese, vegetables, fruit and more packaged into a single box are helping Indiana families survive job loss, higher food prices and other pandemic-related events affecting food availability.
As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) collaborated with distributors to package and transport fresh produce, dairy and meat products to food banks, community and faith-based organizations.
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“If given the choice, do you prefer to get online or in line (in-person)?” asks Roberto Gallardo, director of PCRD and Purdue Extension community and regional economics specialist.
After a year of online shopping, zoom calls and social distancing, awareness and knowledge of digital capabilities has increased, but that doesn’t always mean individuals and communities are ready to address these needs.
Farmer-to-Farmer Program Shares Virtual Good Ag Practices Program with Trinidad and Tobago Extension
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded program, Farmer-to-Farmer, provides technical assistance from U.S. volunteers to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries. In 2020, Purdue University’s International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA) and Purdue Extension announced the USAID John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program would be implemented in Trinidad and Tobago over the next three years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Purdue F2F program transitioned the project into a virtual volunteer assistance strategy to support host organizations. The virtual assignments have provided real-time and pre-recorded trainings for host groups in Trinidad and Tobago.
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For eight years, the Indiana Small Farm Conference (Indiana SFC) has brought together farmers, educators and researchers to share knowledge and build a supportive community for those passionate about small-scale farming. While online this year, the conference convened on March 4-6 with the same goal as well as an increased focus on youth.
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Online searches to buy succulents have steadily risen over the past five years, reaching an all-time high in 2020. Succulents like the eastern prickly pear cactus, Opuntia humifusa, are hardy enough to grow almost anywhere with dry soil, including Indiana. Their resiliency has helped their popularity bloom, but it is also why they can be a nuisance for weed management specialists like Bill Johnson, professor of botany and plant pathology.
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