Purdue Ag Alumni

📝 Take a moment to vote for Purdue Agriculture alumna, Grace Hasler, as one of Agriculture Future of America's 2026 Bridge Builder Award!

Meet our first Bridge Builder Award Finalist!

Grace Hasler currently lives in Washington, DC, where she serves as a Deputy Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Liaison. Previously, she worked for the National Corn Growers Association as a Grassroots and Leadership Development Manager and completed two years in BASF's Professional Development program with roles in AgTech, state affairs and marketing. Her involvement with AFA stemmed from a love of agriculture that started at her family's equine boarding facility, in the rodeo arena, in 4H and FFA, and grew with her degrees from Purdue University. She has taken this passion for agriculture and used it as a compass for her professional career that has led to the People’s House. Her office is often considered the “front door to the White House,” and the key responsibility of the team is to engage with CEOs, farmers and other "Everyday Americans" to highlight the impact of the President's agenda and ensure the American constituency's voice is heard.

While her current role is not specifically focused on agriculture, as the assistant to the director of the office, she has been placed in a position to be an advocate for agriculture in both big ways and small – everything from making sure there are enough tractors on the south lawn for the largest gathering of farmers at the White House in history, to being one of the last voices in the room before the office makes a recommendation to the President’s advisors on policy efforts.

Help us celebrate Grace and our other finalists by submitting your vote now ➡️ https://bit.pulse.ly/vvpc9ucnbu

Calling all Purdue Food Science alumni!

🚂 Attention Purdue Food Science Alumni! 🚂

We invite you to come back to West Lafayette on Sept. 11-12 for our 2026 Alumni Gathering!

On Friday, join us for "Back to Class" sessions, building tours, photo opportunities, and a reception featuring student-brewed beer and food.

On Saturday, September 12, join us at the free Ag Day Tailgate from 9:30am-11:30am before the noon football game against Wake Forest.

Full details and registration link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/3ktO526/purdue-food-science-welcome-back-to-campus-alumni-event-4a9GQp2nkb/overview

🎉 Congratulations to our alumna, Julia Wickard!

Julia Wickard, executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and constituent liaison, has been named to the Indiana FFA Foundation board of directors.

Wickard is one of five new board members appointed to support the foundation’s work with Indiana FFA members, educators and agricultural partners.

“FFA helped shape my passion for agriculture, leadership, and service, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back,” Wickard shared.

Her background includes leadership roles with the USDA Farm Service Agency in Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Indiana Beef and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. She and her family also raise registered Angus cattle and Boer goats on a Centennial farm in Hancock County.

Congratulations, Julia!

Read the full story at the link in our comment.

Indiana FFA Organization Purdue University Purdue Agriculture Purdue Ag Alumni

🌽 Only 1 month until the Indiana State Fair! Join us for daily alumni reunions at Pioneer Village (1-2pm) and get a free ice cream scoop when you update your contact info! 🎡

As we mark a major milestone in American history, the Purdue Ag Alumni Association invites you to join us in celebrating the boundless spirit that has helped our nation thrive. This year, we come together to commemorate 250 years of progress and recognize the incredible impact our Boilermaker community has had in shaping that legacy. 🎆

The ideas that shaped modern agribusiness didn't happen overnight—they were built by generations of innovators, educators, and industry leaders.

*Agribusiness Blueprint*, a limited-series podcast from Purdue's Center for Food and Agricultural Business, takes listeners behind the history of modern agribusiness management through conversations with some of the people who helped define the field.

Hosted by Trey Malone and award-winning agricultural journalist Sarah Mock, the series features Purdue leaders and longtime contributors to the industry, including Jay Akridge, Mike Boehlje, Otto Doering, and Dave Downey. Together, they share the stories, strategies, and lessons that continue to influence agribusiness today.

Whether you're a Purdue graduate, a longtime friend of the Center, or simply interested in the evolution of agriculture and business, this series offers a chance to reconnect with the people and ideas that have made a lasting impact.

🎧 Have you listened yet? We'd love to hear what you think!.
https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/agribusiness-blueprint/id1889927652?l=en-GB

Meet a trailblazer shaping the future of engineering! 💡 Purdue Engineering Fellow and Purdue University ABE alum, Brandon Mar, reflects on his journey and inspires us to nominate the next generation of leaders who will drive positive change. https://purdue.ag/brandon-mar-abe-alum

🚂🌾 We love seeing our graduates make an impact across animal agriculture. Check out how Ryan Schnell and Amanda Minton are using their Purdue Animal Sciences foundations to lead the way in genetics, improving efficiency, health, and welfare in the turkey and swine industries!

From West Lafayette to global production leadership, they’re proving that the future of ag is built on strong scientific roots.

👉 Read more about their career paths: https://www.wattagnet.com/broilers-turkeys/breeding-genetics/news/15827847/purdue-alumni-apply-genetics-across-animal-agriculture

📸 Happy Vintage Friday!

Last week’s mystery item was a weeder garden tool used to help maintain gardens and crops. 🌱🛠️

Now it’s time for a new Purdue Agriculture throwback challenge! Think you know what this week’s photo is? 🤔 Drop your guesses in the comments below ⬇️ We’ll share the answer next week!

A beautiful tribute to a conservation hero who transformed the face of agriculture! Bob, a Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication alumnus, Certificate of Distinction winner, and Distinguished Ag Alumni, left an indelible mark that will continue to inspire generations!

Remembering Bob Eddleman: The Visionary Ag Leader Who Made Conservation a Statewide Movement Robert “Bob” Eddleman, a farm boy from southern Indiana who rose to become one of the state’s most influential conservation leaders, helping shape agricultural policy, expand water-quality programs and inspire generations of young people through 4-H, died