Purdue Agriculture

Jay Akridge

The new year always starts fast for the College, and already it seems like the holiday was a long time ago! I do hope you had an enjoyable break and time with your family and friends.

As we start 2017, there is plenty to look forward to and much in the works this Spring, and it promises to be another exciting and productive semester for the College. I can’t highlight everything on our agenda for the Spring, but here is a partial list:

Our DATA (Diversity Action Team in Agriculture) group has an exciting 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Awareness Week planned. The schedule of events is shown below and I hope to see many of you there this week.
We are working on a new Plant Science Portal, a strategy to help us reach students who may not be familiar with our existing plant science majors, but who have an interest in ‘how plants grow or how to grow plants’.
Assistant Dean Dennis Buckmaster and his team will be launching our new ten-week Teacher Development Course (PREP-Professors Reviewing Excellent Practices) this semester to help our new faculty get off to a great start in the classroom.
We will wrap up hiring the ten new faculty positions as part of the Plant Sciences Institute this Spring. In addition, construction will begin in earnest on the new Controlled Environment Phenotyping Facility (behind Lilly Hall) as soon as the weather breaks. (In another exciting Plant Sciences Institute bit of news, Agronomy Professor Mitch Tuinstra had the opportunity to present our plant phenotyping research to Bill Gates in December.)
A new series of professional skill workshops for our graduate students will be launched this Spring in collaboration with Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities. Topics will include networking skills, negotiating strategies, and developing resilience.
Purdue Extension will focus on three important issues in our state this Spring: food safety, soil health and water, and farm financial conditions. Look for programming, workshops, and educational materials aimed at helping our state address key issues in all three areas.
We will launch a new Indiana 4-H Entrepreneurship Academy this summer--an educational program/start-up/business pitch competition building on the successful foundation of a program previously offered by The Foundry at Purdue.
Our Farmer to Farmer activities will continue to move forward in Colombia, as will a number of other partnerships and collaborations in that country.
This is a budget year for Indiana, so we will be working to secure continued funding for the Crossroads line item that supports research and Extension aimed at addressing Indiana issues, as well as working to obtain funding for the new Agricultural and Biological Engineering facility.
Later in the spring, look for a new College magazine from Agricultural Communication, as well as number of other changes as we continue our work to develop a more strategic approach to our communications.
The Purdue Agriculture Alumni Fish Fry is February 4 (details below). Come join 1000+ alumni and friends of the College as we enjoy reconnecting and hearing from Olympic gold medalist and Boilermaker David Boudia.

There is much more: hiring new department heads for Agricultural Economics and Agronomy (and announcing our new Associate Dean and Director of International Programs); filling ten other faculty positions; celebrating our Distinguished Agriculture Alumni on March 3; an exciting (student led and delivered) Ag Week April 3-7; Spring Fest on April 8-9, and much more!

Of course, beyond these things I have highlighted, there will be so much more to celebrate at the end of the semester: students completing our undergraduate and graduate programs; new research findings and publications; Extension programs that help our stakeholders get better or improve their lives in some way; and all the other things we do as a College every day to make a positive impact on our world. Yes, there is a lot to look forward to this Spring. And, my thanks in advance for all each of you will do to help the College deliver another exceptional semester!

All the best,

Jay

Diversity Champion Spotlight: Lou Ann Baugh

The Diversity Champion Spotlight recognizes an individual or group whose efforts help us build a diverse and inclusive community and/or improve the climate in the College of Agriculture. This month’s spotlight is on Lou Ann Baugh, Agricultural Economics.

Full story: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2017/January/DiversityChampionSpotlightJanuary2017.pdf

Finalists set for Agricultural Economics Department Head

Four candidates have been invited to interview for the Agricultural Economics Department Head position. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend the seminar presentations and to engage in the interview process for this important position. The seminars will be streamed and archived on the department head search link on the bottom of the department home page. Candidate information, including credentials and feedback forms/feedback survey links, will be added to the site soon.

Dr. Jayson Lusk, Oklahoma State University

Interview: Tuesday and Wednesday, January 17 & 18
Seminar: Tuesday, January 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium, Room 140

Dr. Allan Gray, Purdue University

Interview: Thursday and Friday, January 19 & 20
Seminar: Thursday, January 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium, Room 140

Dr. Maria Marshall, Purdue University

Interview: Thursday and Friday, January 26 & 27
Seminar: Thursday, January 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium, Room 140

Dr. Matthew Holt, The University of Alabama

Interview: Monday and Tuesday, February 6 & 7
Seminar: Monday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium, Room 140

Seven honored with Purdue Ag Alumni Certificate of Distinction

Seven agricultural educators and industry leaders have been named recipients of the Certificate of Distinction, the highest honor bestowed by the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association. The award is presented annually to professionals who have contributed significantly to agriculture, forestry or natural resources through career accomplishments, organizational involvement, community service and other activities. Certificate of Distinction recipients will be recognized at the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry, Feb. 4 in the Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis.

Full list of honorees: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2017/Q1/seven-honored-with-purdue-ag-alumni-certificate-of-distinction.html

Extension director to present ag economic update at Fort Wayne Farm Show

Jason Henderson, associate dean and director of Purdue Extension, will deliver an update on Indiana’s agricultural economy Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. during the Fort Wayne Farm Show at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 17; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 18; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19. Educational sessions are provided by Purdue Extension and the Northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Full Story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2017/Q1/extension-director-to-present-ag-economic-update-at-fort-wayne-farm-show.html

Application process opens for 2017 Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security

The U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security Program will hold its sixth annual Summer Institute on Global Food Security from June 4-17 on the campus of Purdue University. Attending will be 40 graduate students selected from 20 universities from across the United States, including Purdue. Participants are selected based on their demonstrated interest and commitment to finding solutions to world hunger, and have chosen dissertation research that addresses the challenges of global food security.The two-week learning program, hosted by the Purdue Center for Global Food Security, is for graduate students who are interested in developing a holistic understanding of the conceptual challenges around global food security with a focus on cross-disciplinary problem solving of real-world development challenges. The application deadline is Feb. 15. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of graduate study and be enrolled in a U.S. institution at the time of application. U.S. citizenship is not required. For additional information and application forms, go to: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/food/borlaugfellows/summer-institute/index.php

Full Story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2016/Q4/application-process-opens-for-2017-borlaug-summer-institute-on-global-food-security.html

Events set to commemorate 2017 Diversity Awareness Week in CoA

martin luther king The Diversity Action Team in Agriculture (DATA) has organized four days of activities to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Awareness Week, January 16-20, sponsored by the Colleges of Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science. This year's theme is Celebrating Diversity: "Keeping our Past, Present". Following the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday on Monday, January 16, faculty and staff are invited to participate in activities each day to educate and raise diversity awareness.

More information:http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/in_focus/2016/December/MLK2017.pdf

Registration open for 2017 Women in Agriculture conference

Women who work in the agricultural industry can network and learn about topics ranging from business planning to gardening for health at the 2017 Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference. The annual event, sponsored by Purdue Extension, is designed to bring together women from across the Midwest to discuss and share information about women’s unique experiences working in farming and agribusiness.

Full Story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2017/Q1/registration-open-for-2017-women-in-agriculture-conference.html

Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry to feature David Boudia

boudia Purdue Agriculture is pleased to welcome Purdue alumnus and Olympic diver David Boudia as the featured speaker at the 2017 Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry. Please join us for this annual meeting of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association on February 4, 2017 at the Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. With 17 national titles and four Olympic medals, David Boudia is the top 10-meter platform diver in the U.S. and one of the best in the world, in both the individual 10-meter and synchronized 10-meter events. Boudia competed at Purdue University where he broke several records, won numerous titles and received many elite honors, including six NCAA national titles. He completed his communication degree at Purdue in 2013 through the College of Liberal Arts.

Tickets still remain for this event! There are now two ways to participate:

--Purchase tickets and join us as a guest - Tickets are now on sale for $25 each. Visit http://purdue.ag/fishfry to order. When prompted for your priority code, be sure to select Ag Staff to receive the correct seating priority. Or you may complete the attached form and return it to us via mail with a check payable to Purdue University.

--Volunteer as a server - The Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry is somewhat famous for having the best service in town! And it’s no surprise, because those in the Purdue Agriculture family rise to the occasion to show our guests a great time. Many people in the college have served for decades, and come back each year to serve as a tradition. They enjoy the camaraderie, networking and fun that is had by everyone who participates. Servers are also receive a free meal, get to enjoy the Fish Fry program, and are offered free transportation to and from the fairgrounds, if they wish. You can register as a volunteer server via the ticket purchase website by selecting “Fish Fry worker”. Additional information is required for anyone who is not a Purdue employee, so please let us know if you need these additional forms for others you know would like to help. We need LOTS of servers this year, so please help us to recruit other faculty, staff and students to join you!

* Order Early – Seat allocation will begin at the end of this week. To get the best seats, please order as soon as possible!

* You again have the opportunity to sponsor a student to attend the Fish Fry. Each year around 200 students volunteer to serve at the Fish Fry. Your support helps College of Agriculture students who want to attend this event.

* Reserved seating - All tables are reserved and seat location will be based on priority code and date order is received. Seating is at round tables of 10.

* Parking - Purchase parking permits for the lots adjacent to and near the pavilion. Cars without parking permits will pay $5 to park on the fairgrounds, and are not guaranteed a nearby space.

* Child care - On-site child care is available. Reservations are required. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

* Bus transportation - Round-trip bus transportation is available from West Lafayette for $10 per person. Reservations are required and space is limited.

College participates in Bravo Awards Program

Purdue Agriculture will participate in the Bravo Award program again this year. The Bravo Award is intended to highlight the excellence found across all areas and job functions at Purdue by recognizing and rewarding extraordinary achievements on every scale. The Bravo Award is a one-time cash award to employees at all levels in recognition of substantial accomplishments that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. Acknowledging employee accomplishments that help Purdue make a difference with our students and in our state and help us move the world forward is vital to the University's mission and the morale of our faculty and staff. Click here for more information and FAQs about the Bravo Award. You can find the Bravo Award nomination form here. Please use this form—not any older versions. If you have questions, please contact your business manager.

A reminder about tracking civil rights and diversity training

Civil Rights logo The College of Agriculture is committed to making ongoing improvements to policies and practices to assure that race, ethnicity and gender are not barriers to success. During our USDA Federal Civil Rights Compliance Audit in 2012, it was brought to our attention that we did not have a formal tracking system in place to verify that all faculty, staff and graduate students received appropriate training. In order to comply with this, individuals are required to receive training in civil rights (the regulations), diversity awareness or sexual harassment each year. Therefore, we created a system utilizing the Qualtrics survey tool to have individuals self-report completion of their training. Rather than mandate a specific training, we are asking you to comply by recording training you have been to already or attend any training that fits your needs and interests and enhances your knowledge/understanding of diversity, civil rights or sexual harassment.

Report training at: https://ag.purdue.edu/civil_rights/Pages/report.aspx

Training modules available for faculty and staff

Risk Management, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance and the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources, announces the availability of the Risk Management Employment Claims Initiative education program. The program helps employees and supervisors understand employment-related issues such as discrimination, harassment, disability awareness and accommodations, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), overtime rates, and other university leave policies. Participants will complete four training modules and corresponding certification quizzes: 1) Equal Opportunity; 2) Americans with Disabilities Act; 3) Wage and Hour Issues for Employees and Supervisors; and 4) Family and Medical Leave Act and University Leave Policies.

The training modules and instructions for accessing the certification quizzes are located on the Purdue Employee Portal. Each training module is approximately 20 to 25 minutes long. Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Opportunity will also fulfill College of Agriculture requirements for civil rights training as required by the USDA. All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to complete these training modules. Faculty and staff participation in these training modules impacts the College's share of insurance costs.