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January 2022
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Ten Million Dollars - WOW!
Sometimes I stand in awe of the great things happening in our college and the impact that they can have. So, I would like to take this month's column to share a bit about $10M and what it means to our college.I will start with a recently awarded grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Linda Prokopy, Head of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, received the grant to investigate Diversifying the Corn Belt. The objective of this project is to ensure that Indiana agriculture has a path to a sustainable future. The research team will explore diversity at the farm, landscape and market levels to help withstand changes in climate and other variables. The grant engages researchers and Extension specialists from across the college, including Agronomy, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Entomology and Ag Education. These individuals will work extensively with farmers and other stakeholders to determine the pros and cons of various solutions and deliver the findings and recommendations directly to farmers.
In addition, there will be opportunities to engage students who will explore the cost-benefit of various systems. This grant is one of the largest obtained at Purdue in the last year and the partnerships across institutions make this a difference maker.
Building Our FutureOn another front, the Ag Development Team has been talking to an individual who has seen Purdue Agriculture make a significant impact on his life and business. While not a Purdue graduate, this individual has consistently worked with both graduates of Purdue Agriculture and also Extension educators and wants to recognize the role that Purdue Agriculture has played in his life and career. In June 2021, he came to visit Purdue for the first time, and we had an opportunity to show him around the campus in our Can-Am Defender (a side-by-side vehicle donated to the College by Can-Am). We had great fun showing him some of the innovation occurring on campus, our new buildings, and the work we are currently doing in the college. In late November, this individual shared his plan to gift a farm, valued at nearly $10M, to the college in support of student scholarships. This planned gift will make a big difference for our students. Supporting Our Students
Last, the immediate impact on students of our scholarship portfolio is impressive. Currently, we are able to give approximately $2.5M in scholarships every year to almost 50 percent of our students in the college. That means that over the four years that a student is expected to be on campus, we will award $10M in student scholarships. What can I say but WOW! I am humbled and grateful for all the faculty, staff, students and donors who are making such a big impact on who we are and what we can do as a college. These opportunities span across all aspects of the land grant mission from research to extension to teaching enabling us to develop the next generation of leaders in our college, Indiana and the world!
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| In the Winter 2021 issue, Envision writers tell compelling stories about work in invasive species, data science, digital innovation in the agrifood business, and the connection between consumer demand analysis and plant sciences. Read all of the articles here. |
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Purdue Ag People |
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Graduate Ag Research Spotlight: Enrique Velasco
The Graduate Research Spotlight highlights graduate students and their work. The January spotlight is on Enrique Velasco, MS student, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. |
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Behind the Research: Jun Wu
Many people are involved in the remarkable range of programs, services and facilities that undergird research in the College of Agriculture. Collectively they are integral to the college fulfilling its research mission. This month’s spotlight is on Jun Wu, research assistant, Animal Sciences. |
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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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The Purdue Landscape Report team received the Purdue Agriculture 2021 TEAM Award. Team members include Kyle Daniel, Kirby Kalbaugh, Lori Jolly-Brown, Rosie Lerner and Aaron Patton of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Todd Abrahamson, Janna Beckerman, John Bonkowski and Tom Creswell of Botany and Plant Pathology; Elizabeth Barnes and Cliff Sadof of Entomology; and Lindsey Purcell of Forestry and Natural Resources. |
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Purdue Ag in the News |
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One gene closer to a sorghum Superman
Tesfaye Mengiste, Botany and Plant Pathology, and a team of scientists are honing the traits of speed, strength and near invulnerability in an important food crop that, much like a superhero, will help protect the vulnerable. |
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Purdue research strengthens soybean's potential
In a recent research project, Katy Rainey, Agronomy, modified water-soluble carbohydrates in soybean meal. By finding new variants in the soybean genome, Rainey stopped the conversion of digestible sucrose into an indigestible carbohydrate. |
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Fat's unexpected role in muscle stem cell fate
Scientists have shown for the first time that fat inside adult muscle stem cells regulates their fate. Shihuan Kuang, Animal Sciences, led the team of scientists studying satellite cells, a stem cell population responsible for muscle development, growth and regeneration. |
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RRDC, NCRCRD celebrate 50 years of rural development
August will mark 50 years since President Richard Nixon signed the Rural Development Act of 1972, creating the Rural Regional Development Centers located throughout the United States. |
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Contaminated leafy greens turn purple
Some might say you look a little green when you are sick. Leafy greens actually turn purple - although not obvious to the human eye, it can be seen through advanced hyperspectral imaging (different than purple varieties of some vegetables). |
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Dashboard shows 'Achilles' heel' of food supply chain
Bare shelves this holiday season highlighted shortages and showed how vulnerable the supply chain can be to disruptions. |
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Dates and Deadlines |
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University News |
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Purdue, IU partner to grow state economy and increase 'brain gain'
Indiana's top two public research universities are joining forces to keep more graduate in the state and fill the Hoosier talent pipeline with highly skilled workers.
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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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