Purdue Student Farm Earns 2025 TEAM Award Recognition

By Andi Anderson

The Purdue Student Farm (PSF), managed by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, has been honored with the 2025 Purdue Agriculture TEAM Award for its outstanding interdisciplinary contributions to education, research, and community engagement. Established in 1995, the TEAM Award recognizes collaborative excellence that supports Purdue Agriculture’s core mission. The PSF team will receive $10,000 to further strengthen its programs.

Located on the northern edge of Purdue’s campus, the three-and-a-half-acre farm serves as a living classroom for students to gain real-world agricultural experience. The farm integrates teaching, research, and outreach, fostering a learning environment where both crops and students thrive.

“The Purdue Student Farm Team exemplifies the land-grant mission through hands-on education, applied research, and deep community engagement,” said Bernie Engel, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture.

Student participation is central to the farm’s success, with roles ranging from volunteers and course participants to summer interns and graduate researchers. Senior farm manager Chris Adair emphasized that students play a vital role in operations. “A lot of what we do is built for students to take ownership and really learn so they can teach new students coming in,” he shared.

Director Petrus Langenhoven highlighted that education remains the farm’s core focus. “Receiving the TEAM Award validates our efforts in educating students. It’s not just about growing food; it’s about educating the next generation of horticulturalists and sustainable farmers,” he said.

Beyond academics, the PSF partners with local producers, community organizations, and Purdue Cultural Centers to promote food security and inclusion. The farm donates surplus produce—over 1,700 pounds in 2024—to the ACE Food Pantry and supplies 150 CSA participants as well as Purdue Dining Halls.

“The TEAM Award will help us upkeep operations and increase collaborations across the university,” added Adair.

With its blend of sustainability, innovation, and education, the Purdue Student Farm continues to cultivate not only nutritious crops but also the next generation of leaders in sustainable agriculture.

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