Bringing ag to the classroom: Vincennes University Agricultural Center opens doors
VINCENNES, Ind. — Leaders from Vincennes University celebrated the grand opening of a new Agricultural Center Aug. 5.
The 45,000-square-foot facility houses the Vincennes University/Purdue University agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, John Deere Tech and precision agriculture programs.
Vincennes University is one of 16 colleges in the nation with an exclusive John Deere partnership that educates technicians using the company’s latest technology.
The Agriculture Center also will house Purdue University’s Food Safety Training hub.
“Agriculture in Indiana is a $31 billion industry,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “We continue to lead in the Midwest with the best agriculture production and yields because of Vincennes University’s commitment to training our future farmers.”
At Vincennes, the next generation of farmers and professionals are preparing in the classrooms and the fields on how to meet consumers’ changing needs, address environmental challenges and adapt to the technological changes that are transforming the industry.
Students are learning innovative farming solutions, and gaining knowledge on how to utilize and maintain the latest technology, including drones.
“It is a great facility not only because of the technology in the rooms and labs, but because of the partnerships it represents,” said VU President Chuck Johnson.
“Partnerships with great higher education institutions, partnerships with great employers and many partnerships within our own university.”
Vincennes and Purdue are celebrating a 60-plus-year partnership.
The relationship began with agriculture and has expanded to other areas, including engineering, tourism and hospitality.
“Vincennes is the oldest university in Indiana and to have that partnership with Purdue University, the sixth-best agriculture college in the country and 12th best in the world, for over 60 years is incredible,” Crouch said.
“To have that kind of collaboration between two universities, both doing everything they can to lift up agriculture in the state of Indiana, which for our Hoosier farming families is absolutely tremendous.”