Purdue Agriculture

05/29/2026

For 35 years, the National AgrAbility Project has helped farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers with disabilities continue doing the work they love.

Led by Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center in Purdue University ABE, the National AgrAbility Project has been included in Forbes' Accessibility 200 list.

After also being recognized on Forbes’ Accessibility 100 list in 2025, this consecutive honor stands as a testament to the decades of dedication shown by AgrAbility staff members and the resilience of the farmers and agricultural workers they work alongside.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) AgrAbility program, led by the National AgrAbility Project and housed at Purdue University’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been included in Forbes’ Acces...

05/29/2026

Happy National Learn About Composting Day! 🌱♻️

Composting is one small step that can make a big impact, reducing food waste, enriching soil and supporting healthier ecosystems.

Curious about composting or wonder how you can make a difference? Karen Mitchell, consumer horticulture Purdue Extension specialist in Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, shares some beginner-friendly tips tailored to a variety of living situations and debunks common myths.

Learn how to compost today!

https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2026/05/composting-made-easy.html

05/28/2026

For organizations investing in global agricultural learning, demonstrating measurable impact has long been a challenge — one that Purdue University's ‌Barry Pittendrigh and ‌Julia Bello-Bravo are working to solve.

Their new study published in PLOS One and with international collaborators, introduces a way to measure the return on investment of digital agricultural education worldwide.

The research centers on ‌Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) and their free multilingual instructional animations, expanding access to agricultural knowledge in underserved and remote communities. Available through the new SAWBO app, the videos reach audiences across a wide range of languages and regions.

Measuring the impact of education is never straightforward. A farmer who learns a better grain storage technique from an instructional video might increase her income by 19 percent. However, for organizations investing in global-scale agricultural learning, showing returns in a funding report has lo...

05/28/2026

Berry breakthroughs are happening across Indiana thanks to Purdue Extension!

As the demand for fresh, locally-grown strawberries continues to grow, Purdue Extension specialists like Wenjing Guan are helping Indiana farmers produce high-quality, flavorful fruit through research in cultivar selection, production systems, pest management and more.

“Purdue Extension wants to see us succeed. Any farmer that is looking for help at all should reach out to Extension,” said Richard Ritter of Ritter Farms in Owensville, Indiana.

From workshops and field days to podcasts and on-farm collaboration, Purdue Extension is helping farmers cultivate sweet success one berry at a time.

https://extension.purdue.edu/news/2026/05/berry-breakthroughs-purdue-extension-provides-support-for-indianas-strawberry-producers.html

05/27/2026

Congratulations, Fern Rice! The Department of Entomology and John Martinson Honors College history student was named a 2026 Beinecke Scholar, a prestigious award encouraging exceptional third year students to pursue graduate school in the arts, humanities or social sciences.

Purdue University College of Liberal Arts
Purdue National and International Scholarships Office

05/27/2026

How much nitrogen fertilizer do corn fields need to ensure optimal yields? This question challenges farmers and agricultural researchers as uncertainty often blurs the answer.

A new Purdue-led study published in Nature Communications shows that properly accounting for this uncertainty in nitrogen recommendations can improve crop production, increase farmer profits and reduce environmental costs by helping growers avoid unacceptable risks.

With the U.S. producing nearly one-third of the world’s corn supply, Ignacio Ciampitti, professor of Purdue Agronomy, says this isn’t an issue for farmers – it’s an issue that affects everyone.

https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2026/05/addressing-nitrogen-fertilizer-uncertainties-in-corn-production.html

05/26/2026

Zie Reed didn't know where their journey at Purdue University would lead, but through exploring the possibilities at , the former Exploratory Studies student found a welcoming community in Purdue Animal Sciences.

Now, working at the Purdue Animal Sciences Research and Education Center (ASREC) Dairy Unit is preparing the rising junior for a career in animal behavior. https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2026/03/road-to-discovery-zie-reeds-untraditional-path-into-animal-sciences.html

05/23/2026

With the Indy 500 tomorrow, it’s worth remembering that “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is fueled by more than speed – it’s fueled by tradition. One of the most iconic? “Winners Drink Milk.”

This year’s milk “rookie” honor goes to Brian Rexing, an Indiana dairy farmer who earned a certificate from the College of Agriculture in 1992. His Purdue roots still run deep, with two daughters studying Purdue Agricultural Economics.

Rexing says the honor reflects the optimism and dedication of dairy farmers everywhere. Learn more about his “rookie” honor extends far beyond the track:

Many traditions take place at the Indianapolis 500, including presenting the winners with milk. Learn more from dairy farmer Brian Rexing.

05/22/2026

Indiana residents in urban areas are finding ways to stay connected to agriculture – raising chickens, growing small pots of tomatoes and contributing to community-managed gardens. Purdue Extension educators are researching new ways to support residents and discovering how they can work to improve community health, resilience and connection.

As more Indiana residents move to cities and suburbs, they have found ways to stay connected to agriculture — raising chickens, growing small pots of tomatoes and contributing to community-managed gardens in their new settings. Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) educators are...

05/22/2026

Congratulations, Abigail Engelberth! Purdue University Teaching Academy recognized the associate professor of Purdue University ABE for her excellence in teaching, innovation in teaching methodology, teaching-related service, and scholarship in teaching and learning. https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/2026/Q2/purdue-university-teaching-academy-announces-11-inductees-for-2026/