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February 2022
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Looking to the Future
Indiana continues to be a leader in agriculture and forestry, not only in production but also innovation. The state ranks #1 in duck production and hardwood veneer, #2 in popcorn and eggs produced, #3 in tomatoes for processing and cropland planted with a cover crop, #4 in turkeys raised and soybeans, and #5 in corn for grain, watermelons and hogs. In terms of innovation, Indiana continues to grow its commitment to our agbioscience economy. Two of the largest agricultural companies – Corteva and Elanco Animal Health – have located their world headquarters in Indianapolis. This is in addition to many global ag startup companies setting up offices in Indiana, including Solinftec from Brazil, Taranis from Israel and Itallapollina from Italy.Just down the road from our West Lafayette campus, Inari Agriculture was just granted two U.S. patents for gene editing corn and soybeans seeds previously genetically modified (GM). This is the first company granted patents for gene editing GM traits. As companies locate and expand in Indiana, our college plays a critical role in moving innovation forward and providing a workforce that is well-trained and can meet the needs of our growing agriculture industry. What are some examples of new ventures our college is embarking on to foster innovation?
Purdue Next Moves InvestmentCertainly, the Plant Sciences Next Moves investment allows us to not only scale up our phenotyping capabilities for crops but also rapidly expand into digital forestry. We have also launched a set of dashboards that address issues impacting food, including the supply chain, and a new consumer survey and sustainability index. In our other Next Moves initiative – Digital Innovation in Agri-Food Systems Laboratory (DIAL), we have welcomed our first cohort of innovation fellows. These individuals are working together to develop digital solutions to enhance food and agriculture. This new model of innovation allows DIAL through the Purdue Applied Research Institute to bring creative thinkers to campus to work on digital problems specific to the food and ag sector.
New Innovation Investments
Under Dr. Senay Simsek’s guidance, our Food Science Department is working to expand and enhance our ability to assist in the creation of value-added products through the use of its pilot plant. Through this new effort, entrepreneurs will collaborate with both our Food Science faculty and students to develop new products and processes and our Ag Economics faculty to build business models for those products. This enables us to work with businesses that can then go back and grow their local community while also helping to train students on advanced equipment and entrepreneurial activities. The impact of this type of approach can be seen in this video about Holic Foods. We continue to explore new areas to not only partner with industry but also connect with researchers across disciplines within the college and university. In our Horticulture and Landscape Architecture department, we are looking to partner with companies to enhance and grow research in controlled environment agriculture. In partnership with the College of Engineering, efforts in cellular agriculture are also underway. We continue to move forward on a multi-disciplinary approach to microbiome science and are looking forward to hosting the second annual Microbiome Symposium on May 9-11. As you can see Indiana, in partnership with Purdue University and the College of Agriculture, is the place to be for ag innovation for the future. 
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Purdue Ag People |
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Graduate Ag Research Spotlight: Hassan Assaf
The Graduate Research Spotlight highlights graduate students and their work. The February spotlight is on Hassan Assaf, PhD student, Agricultural & Biological Engineering. |
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New ANR leader joins Purdue Extension
Henry Quesada was recently named Purdue Extension assistant director and program leader for agriculture and natural resources. He received both his master's and doctorate in wood products technology from Purdue. |
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Kuang appointed as stem cell biology chair
Shihuan Kuang, Animal Sciences, has been appointed to an endowed chair designed to strengthen Purdue’s program in stem cell biology. As Cancer Center Chair in Stem Cell Biology, Kuang will bring together researchers to better understand their role in cancer development, resistance to therapy and cancer progression. |
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Don’t forget to track
Civil Rights and Diversity Training
All Purdue Agriculture faculty and staff members are required to receive training in civil rights (the regulations) or diversity awareness each year. Rather than mandate a specific training, we ask that you attend any training that fits your needs and interests and enhances your knowledge and understanding of diversity or civil rights. Please use our Qualtrics survey tool to report training activities. |
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Awards and Recognitions |
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Eva Haviarova, Forestry and Natural Resources, was selected as a Woman Ambassador from the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). Haviarova was among 16 ambassadors announced as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebration. |
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Purdue Academic Advising Association (PACADA) recognized Ashley York, Animal Sciences, for her exceptional care and dedication to student success. York was named Outstanding Academic Advisor. |
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Purdue Ag in the News |
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First-of-its-kind estimate of the total number of tree species
A worldwide collaboration of scientists has produced the first ground-sourced data estimate of the total number of tree species on Earth and found that more than 9,000 species have yet to be discovered. |
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Extending the season, improving food security
Laura Ingwell, Entomology leads a $3.7 million project to explore integrated pest management in high tunnels to improve food security. |
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African swine fever risk assessment tool available
African swine fever cases have been identified in the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. is on alert. Researchers have developed an online tool to help farmers prevent the disease, which can devastate pork production. |
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NSF funds study of fundamental signals between plants & their environment
Many people think a plant just, well — sits there. But under a microscope, pores called stomata on the plant's leaves are in constant motion, says Scott McAdam, Botany and Plant Pathology.
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Dashboard created to better conceptualize ag job market
Any undergraduate inching closer to graduation thinks about possible jobs. Searching by specific job titles or particular skill sets, job seekers will apply for several, casting their resume out to find the best fit for their interests. |
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2022 Indiana Small Farm Conference moves to virtual
The 2022 Indiana Small Farm Conference – Indiana’s premier annual event for the state’s small and diversified farming community – has made the decision to pivot to a virtual platform amid the state’s high numbers of COVID cases. |
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Dates and Deadlines |
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University News |
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The brain's secret to lifelong learning can now come as hardware for artificial intelligence
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Report Hate and Bias
Purdue University is a community where diversity is valued and incidents of hate and bias are not tolerated. Students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors who feel that they have been the victim of a bias related incident (or who have witnessed a bias related incident) are encouraged to report it online at www.purdue.edu/report-hate or to contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at 765-494-1250. Your report can remain anonymous if you wish. Remember, if it is an emergency situation that requires immediate medical or emergency services attention, please call the Purdue University Police Department at 911 or 765-494-8221. |
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Purdue Agriculture InFocus
Editor: Megan Kuhn
Email: mmkuhn@purdue.edu |
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2053
765-494-8392
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Purdue University is an equal opportunity employer.
If you are having trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact the Webmaster at AgWeb@purdue.edu |
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