New educational facility ready to serve

By Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture

Just last month we dedicated a new state-of-the-art facility that extends our educational mission. The Beck Agricultural Center at the Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education includes classrooms, a multipurpose room and a work area set up for hands-on plant diagnostic demonstrations and research.

The $5.2 million building was financed with a major gift from the Beck family of Atlanta, Ind., combined with Purdue Agriculture development funds.

While it will host many workshops for producers it will also serve an even larger audience, including younger students. Purdue farms attract about 5,000 elementary through high-school students and teachers annually for various classes.