November 2003

Welcome to Purdue Agriculture Report, an e-newsletter about research and Extension in the Purdue University College of Agriculture.

Purdue Agriculture Growing by Design
By Victor Lechtenberg, Dean of Agriculture

A recent survey in The Scientist magazine rated Purdue University as having the best work environment of any university in the country. Purdue was recognized for offering faculty the best combination of research support, infrastructure and other benefits.

Soon, many new faculty members will have the opportunity to work in our top-ranked academic environment. Purdue’s College of Agriculture has undertaken an ambitious goal of hiring as many as 60 new faculty positions over the next five years.

This unprecedented growth is by design. We plan to increase the economic competitiveness of Indiana’s economy through the efforts of our academic research institution. These new hires will work in multi-disciplinary groups, seeking to advance our food, health, agriculture and natural resources systems.

While many universities across the nation are cutting back due to the weakened economy, Purdue is investing in the future. By combining the efforts of bright, new faculty with one of the best work environments in the country, we are leading the way in technological discovery and the creation of a new economy for the citizens of Indiana.

Everyone's felt it — a little shock from running in stocking feet or sliding across a car seat. And while static electricity is generally seen as a nuisance, it can be hazardous at gas stations, says Cathy Burkett, a retired Purdue Extension educator.

The dangers of static electricity — a common occurrence as the air turns cooler and drier — is something Burkett knows about from firsthand experience. In May 2000 she was filling her car with gas when she noticed flames around the nozzle. She quickly removed the nozzle from the tank and went to alert the attendant. It was only after walking into the building that she noticed her pants were on fire.

"Had I known what was going to happen, I would have left the nozzle in the vehicle — your gut reaction is to pull it out," she said. "But people who've left the nozzle in haven't been hurt or had equipment damage. It's the people who take the nozzle out who get into trouble."

Burkett's story and the steps she could have taken to prevent a static electricity fire are the focus of a Purdue Extension education curriculum, "Dos and Don'ts at the Gas Pump," which is available for free online. read more

Consumers may be willing to pay a premium for certain genetically modified foods if they are told of the potential health benefits they may receive from eating those foods, according to a recent Purdue University study.

Jayson Lusk, associate professor of agricultural economics and author of the study, used a mail survey to assess how much consumers are willing to pay for a genetically modified, or GM, food called golden rice. His paper appears in the November issue of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0002.9092).

Lusk found that regardless of demographic factors, including age, gender, income and level of education, consumers may be willing to pay more for the GM golden rice versus a non-GM white rice, if they perceive a direct personal benefit from the GM product.

"This study is one of the first to show that people are willing to pay a premium for a food that's been improved using biotechnology," Lusk said. "People value this product such that they are willing to pay more for it." read more

Learning the molecular processes that cause termite larvae to grow into workers, soldiers or reproductive adults may lead to new methods to decimate colonies of the wood-eaters.

Purdue University scientists identified 25 genes that provide some of the first information concerning the differentiation of the insects based on the role they play within a colony. The study, published in the October issue of the journal Genome Biology (http://genomebiology.com/2003/4/10/R62), shows that the level at which some of the newly discovered genes are expressed differs depending on which adult form the termite becomes.

"Many of the genes we found are involved in muscle function," said Michael Scharf, entomology research professor and lead author of the study. "Most of these muscle proteins are expressed in the soldiers and not the workers. The soldiers have big heads and jaws, so they require more muscle in the head to drive those jaws. But soldiers don't have wings, so they don't have flight muscles as are found in the developing nymphs, which become winged reproductive adults." read more

Things are looking up for college graduates in general and Purdue University College of Agriculture graduates in particular. According to a report released last month, 90 percent of May 2003 graduates from Purdue Agriculture had found jobs or were continuing their education. That represents an increase of 3 percentage points from a year ago.

"Our students fared well in finding jobs this year," said Tracie Egger, assistant director of academic programs. "I think we're still in a down market employment-wise, so with salaries and placement up, I'd say that speaks well for our graduates."

The average starting salary for all agriculture graduates is $33,993 this year. The highest average starting salary by occupation went to agriculture and food process engineering graduates who earned an average of $43,590. read more

Local citizens, community leaders, government officials, and Purdue faculty and staff are invited to the celebration, which will take place in the 4-H Building at the Clinton County 4-H Fairgrounds. Former Lt. Gov. John Mutz will be the featured speaker, and refreshments will be served.

Since 2000, the Learning Network of Clinton County has provided a variety of credit and non-credit courses from colleges and universities in Indiana and the United States, on-site classes to enhance life skills and customized training for the local work force, said Susan Tharp, Purdue Extension director in Clinton County. These programs and classes are delivered using laptop computers, Internet, satellite, two-way video teleconferencing, CD-ROM, videotape, cable and public TV, correspondence and on-site instruction. read more

Upcoming Events

Nov. 4-6 — Purdue Agricultural Tax Workshops (farm taxes)
Nov. 12-13, 17-18, 20-21, 24-25 — Purdue Tax School (income taxes)
Nov. 21 — Starting a specialty food business in Indiana, Madison, Ind.

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