While we can talk about the lost opportunities during the pandemic, it is time to start focusing on the new opportunities that are emerging here at Purdue. As we redesign our classrooms and teaching methods and attend virtual 4-H fairs and conferences, we continue to learn, grow and stretch our imagination about how we do things. 

Over the last month, it has become clear that we need to do more to not only support, but also lead, when it comes to promoting diversity within our agricultural community. Through the efforts of our Office of Multicultural Programs and trained Extension facilitators, we have been able to offer coffee hours and other programming to learn from BIPOC students, faculty and staff in our College. Their shared experiences have helped us realize we need to do better.   

As a College, we will be exploring our recruitment procedures for faculty, staff and students, examining our graduate programs, offering more opportunities for personal and professional growth and providing resources to help us move forward. Through working together and building partnerships, we have an opportunity to provide a future for agriculture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.  

Building Partnerships  

During this pandemic, it also has become clear that building stronger partnerships will ensure that the College can continue to grow and flourish. During this period of hunkering down, many of you have not been on campus for a while to see its continued transformation. The new Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building is on track and will provide state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces.  

Discovery Park is no longer just an area for multi-disciplinary work but is now a district which will include businesses, apartments and many other amenities. We are excited that three agricultural companies have committed to a presence at the Convergence Center in the Discovery Park District.

Companies that locate next to Purdue’s campus will be able to be part of our community, have the opportunity to partner on exciting research and work side by side with our graduate and undergraduate students. Their presence will also help our researchers and students better understand the issues our industry is facing. I have no doubt that the relationships we build with these companies today will become a hallmark of the College of Agriculture in the future.  

We must also continue to strengthen our partnerships across the University. For example, Mohit Verma in Ag and Biological Engineering and Jennifer Koziol in the College of Veterinary Medicine are working with a team of researchers to develop and test a new paper-based sensor for bovine respiratory disease. Recently, they received $1 million in funding for their work which will allow for rapid detection of this viral disease which is devastating to cattle.   

However, this work is not only important for cows. Verma and his group were able to partner with medical professionals to pivot their work and have been developing a rapid paper based test for another virus, COVID-19. His work has the potential to revolutionize testing for the virus.   

Another area of continual growth is our partnerships with communities. It has taken a village (well, actually a county) to develop both virtual and in person 4-H events that deliver a quality experience for our youth during this pandemic. (See the photo below of an exhibitor at a Howard County 4-H event.)  While it is not the same experience as last year, our communities, our local health officials, 4-H committees and Extension educators have all worked together to do what is best for the community and the 4-H youth.   

One of our strengths within the College of Agriculture - and something our farmers can relate to - is resilience.  We know that if we continue to grow, develop opportunities and work together, the College will be stronger on the other side of this pandemic.    

All the best,

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