At a time when small-scale farmers are navigating rising costs and shifting growing conditions, Purdue University is preparing to host a summer field day aimed at delivering practical, on-the-ground solutions for producers across Indiana.
The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day, scheduled for July 23 in West Lafayette, will bring together university specialists, extension educators and growers for a half-day of demonstrations and presentations focused on the challenges and opportunities facing small farms and urban agriculture. Organized by Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in partnership with the Purdue Student Farm, the event is designed to blend research with hands-on application.
Participants will rotate through sessions covering topics such as flower production, high tunnel management, integrated pest management, food safety practices and vertical container farming — areas that have become increasingly important as smaller operations look to diversify and remain competitive.
“This field day serves as a gathering place where small farm operators and urban growers from across Indiana come to learn and connect,” said Petrus Langenhoven, director of the Purdue Student Farm. He emphasized that the event’s structure encourages the exchange of practical knowledge and relationship-building among growers, noting that even small adjustments in technique can have an outsized impact on productivity and long-term sustainability.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern at the Purdue Student Farm on Cherry Lane, with a full agenda expected to be released in early May. Registration costs $48, and while lunch is not included, organizers say a food truck will be available on-site.
University officials are also inviting sponsors and exhibitors to participate, reflecting a broader effort to connect growers with industry resources. Organizers said attendees who require accommodations or translation services should contact event coordinators in advance of the program.
