What We Do
“Food Systems are complex networks that include all the inputs and outputs associated with agricultural and food production and consumption. Food systems can vary substantially from place to place and over time, depending on location specific conditions.”
-United States Department of Agriculture
The Food Systems Coordinator supports small, diverse farms and value-added food businesses in Indiana. We are also involved in local food in terms of food safety, economics, and education. The Purdue Food Systems program uses an interdisciplinary approach to collaboratively create educational materials and workshops, while engaging community members to build local economies.
Contact Us
Sarah Hanson
Food Systems Coordinator
sspeedy@purdue.edu
615 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-8483
Producer
Producer
Farmers/producers can learn more about community organizations and resources.
View ResourcesFood Safety
Food Safety
Consumer
Consumer
Learn more about organizations and resources to help consumers navigate our food systems.
View ResourcesFood Business and Entrepreneurship
Food Business and Entrepreneurship
Learn more about resources related to Food Business and Entrepreneurship
View ResourcesFeatured Stories
Washington County Jr. Leaders will be selling cheese balls for Easter. Orders are due March 23.
The February-March 2026 Purdue Extension Washington County Newsletter is now available.
Tar spot looks innocuous at first, but the tiny black dots on leaves scattered across a cornfield can lead to significant yield losses — perhaps 60 bushels out of an average of 200 bushels produced per acre. For the average Indiana corn farmer, this could result in up to $65,000 in lost profits.
Eligibility in the regular 4-H program necessitates one must be in Grades 3 through 12 as of January 1 of the current year. However, second graders can get a taste of 4-H by signing up for the “Exploring 4-H” program. Exploring 4-H is a program for children who are not yet old enough for 4-H. Any boy or girl in the second grade as of January 1 of the current year is eligible.
I recently had a request from an individual about what they need to sell firewood legally, and with all the wood stove users and campers out there, I thought this question may have a broader appeal.
The 2026 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference will take place at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds on March 3-5. This year’s merged conference, hosted by Purdue Extension and the Purdue Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, will offer education and farmer-to-farmer networking for Indiana horticultural crop growers and small farmers.