Ashley Adair guest lectured on “Organics and Beyond” in Purdue Fort Wayne’s Farm to Fork class on Friday, September 11. The course explores a variety of food system topics through the lens of food service and other farm and food businesses.
Master’s student Maria Celeste Ortez, mentored by Dr Ariana Torres, evaluated the economics of incorporating cut sunflowers into diversified specialty-crop operations using the Purdue HortCalculator framework. Under the study’s baseline assumptions, a 1,000-ft² sunflower planting generated $4,760 in gross revenue and $629 in net returns, with profitability highly sensitive to marketable yield and price….Read more about Graduate Research Explores Profitability of Cut Sunflowers Using HortCalculator[Read More]
Ten educators from across Indiana gathered at the John S. Wright Center on September 10 for the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Train-the-Trainer program. Organized by John Orick, Karen Mitchell, and Pam Fisher, the day-long workshop focused on plant disease diagnosis and hands-on educational activities designed to support local Extension Master Gardener programming. The morning…Read more about Purdue Extension Master Gardener Coordinators Gather for Train-the-Trainer Session[Read More]
On Wednesday, September 2, the Purdue Student Farm and the Overbeck Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Facility hosted Class 30 of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Produce Industry Leadership Program. The visit opened a full day on campus in which the fellows explored how Purdue faculty are addressing challenges across the fresh produce supply chain…Read more about Produce Industry Leaders Visit the Purdue Student Farm[Read More]
Ashley Adair presented “Considerations for Organic Transition” at Hoosier Environmental Council’s Regenerating the Land workshop at Ancilla College on 8/25. A mix of landowners, farmers, and ag professionals convened at this event for learning and networking on topics ranging from farmer perspectives on regenerative agriculture to practical advice on setting up land lease agreements, followed…Read more about Ashley Adair Presents on Organic Transition at Hoosier Environmental Council Workshop[Read More]
Purdue Extension’s Grass to Garden Virtual Course will help participants learn how to start and sustain community-based gardens that improve access to fresh produce while strengthening local communities. The four-part series will be offered virtually on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. ET. Co-led by educators and specialists from…Read more about Grass to Garden Virtual Course Returns in October[Read More]
Join the Young Professionals of the Green Industry webinar on August 27th for an engaging discussion on how to thrive in today’s evolving industry. Designed for professionals 35 and younger or with less than 10 years of experience, this interactive webinar will provide practical advice from industry leaders and peers who have successfully navigated the…Read more about Young Professionals of the Green Industry Webinar Set for August 27[Read More]
John Orick, Karen Mitchell, and Pam Fisher helped set up the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Plant Info to Go Booth in the Purdue Extension Building at the Indiana State Fair on August 5. The booth officially opened when the fair began on August 7 and will welcome visitors through August 23 (closed Mondays). Fairgoers are…Read more about Master Gardener Plant Info to Go Booth Opens at Indiana State Fair[Read More]
Ashley Adair partnered with Brian Geier and Elizabeth Tobey of Bundle Sticks Farm in Lanesville, IN on “A Clean Sweep: Broomcorn for Organic Transition” on August 10, 2026. Supported by NC-SARE through a Farmer Rancher Grant and by the Indiana Organic Network, this event brought together ag professionals, farmers, and crafters over broomcorn, a unique…Read more about Exploring Broomcorn as a Crop for Organic Transition[Read More]
Ashley Adair and a team of northern Indiana field extension specialists and educators (Jeff Burbrink, Mark Evans, Kathryn Jennings, Emily Kresca, Bryan Overstreet, and Brieanna Slonaker) hosted the Northern Indiana Organic Field Day. The event brought together organic dairy and crop producers from across the northern half of the state to IMS Dairy in Nappanee…Read more about Northern Indiana Organic Field Day Draws Producers from Across the Region[Read More]