Purdue celebrating 10 years at Farm Science Review

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - When the Farm Science Review opens its three-day run Sept. 16 in London, Ohio, Purdue and Ohio State universities will commemorate a decade of working together to make the event one of the largest agricultural expositions in the Midwest.

"We're proud of our 10-year partnership with OSU at the Farm Science Review," said Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Purdue's College of Agriculture. "As land-grant institutions, Purdue and Ohio State know the importance of investing in both education and agriculture. Educating farmers about new advances in production agriculture helps increase yields, sustainability and profits, which ultimately benefit our respective states."

The Farm Science Review draws about 130,000 farmers, growers, business people and students each year, nearly half of them from Indiana.

The partnership has benefited both universities, the Farm Science Review and the farmers who attend it, said Chuck Gamble, manager of the event.

"The Purdue partnership has given us the opportunity to market to a whole new demographic of farmers in Indiana," Gamble said. "I look forward to seeing what the next decade of partnership will bring."

The importance of the Purdue-OSU partnership was recognized in 2011 when David Petritz, former director of Purdue Extension, was inducted into the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame for his role in bringing the two public universities together.

Highlighting this year's review will be a dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 for Purdue agricultural alumni in the Tobin Building near Gate J on the review grounds. Jason Henderson, associate dean of Purdue Agriculture and director of Purdue Extension, will be the featured speaker. Cost is $15 per person. Advance registration is required by 5 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 11).  For more information, contact the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association office at 765-494-8593.

This year's Farm Science Review again will include education and information sessions covering some the latest trends and issues in the industry.

Among Purdue representatives participating and the topics of their presentations are:

* Roy Ballard, "A Year in the Life of a Food Hub" and "SARE Grant Funding for Your Farm or Business."

* Larry Caplan, "Maximizing Yield in the Vegetable Garden."

* Rob Chapman, "Grassland and Wildflower ID."

* Emily Eggleston, "Urban Land Leasing for Small Farms and Community Gardens."

* Lenny Farlee, "The Exclusion Solution: Fencing Deer Out" and "Steps to Successful Conservation Tree Planting."

* Mike Gunderson, "Farmers Brand Loyalty" and "Farm Risk Management Strategies that Work."

* Henderson, "Future of the Rural Economy."

* Chad Martin, "Grass: Bioenergy and Nutrient Management."

* Brian MacGowan, "Controlling Wildlife Damage Around the Home and Yard."

* Jim Mintert, "PLC, ARC, ARC-L or ARC-C? Farmer Choices for the 2014 Farm Bill."

* Scott Monroe, "Good Ag Practices for Produce During Harvest, Transport and Packaging."

*Michael O'Donnell, "On-Farm Poultry Processing" and "Organic No-Till Crop Production."

* Maria Restrepo, "Organic Heirloom Tomato Production."

For a complete schedule of presentations and presenters, as well as tickets and other event information, visit the Farm Science Review website.

The Farm Science Review is sponsored by The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Participants can peruse more than 4,000 product lines from across the U.S. and Canada and engage in educational opportunities with specialists from Purdue and Ohio State universities.           

Writer: Darin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu 

Sources: Jay Akridge, 765-494-8391, akridge@purdue.edu

Jason Henderson, 765-494-8489, jhenderson@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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