June 2004

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When the state decided to close the Muscatatuck State Development Center in Jennings County, officials knew 500 workers would need new jobs.

In order to attract new business to the area, railroad access would be key. Land adjacent to a railroad was found not far away at the Southeast-Purdue University Agricultural Center (SEPAC).

State and local leaders met with Purdue officials to discuss ways to meet the community's need for business growth and Purdue's agricultural research mission. A land swap was proposed and agreed upon. In exchange for 140 acres of land at SEPAC, Purdue will acquire forest and crop land that surrounds the state center.

Usually, a university's role in economic development is as an academic partner, providing faculty expertise and resources. This time, we provided the raw materials — the very ground that will be the foundation for an industrial park. We will also be able to continue and expand our research in the area.

This is the way a good partnership works. When state and local organizations help each other while maximizing personal benefits, it's a win-win for everyone.

Related Link: Purdue and state swap land to bring jobs to Jennings County

Organic farmers have a new tool courtesy of Purdue University, Michigan State University and the University of Illinois.

Liz Maynard, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service commercial vegetable specialist, said the New Agriculture Network features a Web site and a newsletter that will be published twice a month during the growing season.

"The network and its Web site and newsletter will serve those interested in transitioning to organics as well as those practicing low-input or organic agriculture," Maynard said. read more

Purdue offers biotech course for high school teachers

Purdue Agriculture is teaching high school instructors how to incorporate more about biotechnology into their classrooms.

“Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology” is an online course that offers information on herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant transgenic crops, the environmental and food-safety aspects of transgenic crops, and ethical and cultural issues related to biotechnology. read more

Domesticated tree crops may be the 'future of forestry'

The trees of the future may stem from advances in gene discovery research at Purdue University that could lead to domesticated trees, the forestry equivalent of crop plants like corn and soybeans.

"I think this is the future of forestry," said Richard Meilan, an associate professor of molecular physiology with Purdue's Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, who has demonstrated a way to rapidly identify genes in poplar trees and determine their function.

"Our goal in gene discovery is to domesticate trees, just like we have domesticated corn over the past 5,000 years," he said. "If we can produce trees for specific purposes, like making furniture or plywood, and intensively manage those trees like agricultural row crops, we can make more efficient use of our limited land resources without treading on wilderness areas." read more

In its first 71 years, the Purdue University Farm Management Tour has showcased top-performing farms in just about every nook and cranny of Indiana. One of the few unheralded regions will get its due when the tour travels north this summer.

"We're going to be visiting a part of the state that, as far as we know, we've never visited on a Farm Management Tour - Elkhart and LaGrange counties," said Alan Miller, a Purdue Extension farm management specialist and tour coordinator. "There are some very interesting farms in those counties. Many people know this area for its Amish farming. We plan to include some of that in this year's tour."

The 2004 Farm Management Tour takes place June 30 and July 1. The event is free. Tour highlights include a dairy, a farm woodland walk and a popcorn farm. read more

"This conference is about bringing people together around a theme of home and family," said Karen DeZarn, conference chairperson. "We offer participants a wide variety of workshops and seminars, so there is something for everyone."

The conference's keynote speaker will be Judy O'Bannon, former first lady of Indiana. She will speak at 8 a.m. on June 10 at Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. read more

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