Agriculture
Purdue Extension EDGE in Ag honors three Indiana agriculture leaders
Cory Larson, one of three Purdue Extension EDGE in Ag award winners, was presented with the Agriculture Achievement Award on Aug. 13 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Pictured from left to right: Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith; Angie Abbott, associate dean of agriculture and director of Extension; Cory Larson; and Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. (Photo provided by Indiana State Department of Agriculture) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Extension’s EDGE in Ag program recognized three individuals for their leadership, service and contributions to Indiana’s agricultural industry during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13.
“Each year, Purdue Extension celebrates the accomplishments of three outstanding individuals in Indiana’s agriculture industry,” said Angie Abbott, associate dean of agriculture and director of Extension. “It is a pleasure to highlight these individuals’ many accomplishments.”
Cory Larson of Marion County received the Agriculture Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals involved in farming operations and agribusiness.
Larson demonstrates her passion for agriculture through her leadership of Corteva Agriscience’s Harvest for Hunger Garden. As a founding member of the garden’s steering team and primary garden leader for eight years, she helped transform a small community garden into a thriving two-acre urban farm dedicated to addressing food insecurity, educating the public about agriculture and engaging volunteers in community service.
Under her leadership, the garden grew its volunteer base and community impact, surpassing 100,000 pounds of fresh produce donated to local food pantries and food security organizations. Larson has also helped introduce hundreds of students and community members to gardening, pollinators, food systems and agricultural science.
Kasey McIntosh of Warren County was presented with the Agriculture Leadership Award for her outstanding leadership and service to Indiana agriculture.
Raised in a farming family, McIntosh has devoted her career to supporting agricultural producers and rural communities. Through her work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and as a loan portfolio manager, she has helped farmers navigate programs, implement policy and maintain successful operations.
Her leadership extends beyond her professional career to significant involvement with Warren County 4-H and the Warren County Fair. As fair board secretary and special events coordinator, she helps create meaningful experiences annually for more than 100 youth exhibitors while mentoring young people and coordinating volunteers and community partnerships.
Purdue University student Kelby Roberts received the Emerging Leader in Agriculture Award, which recognizes a high school or undergraduate student making a positive impact on agriculture.
Raised around her family’s multigenerational Hereford cattle operation, Roberts has combined her agricultural background with interests in communications, policy and public engagement. Through positions with Elanco Animal Health, the city of Rushville and agricultural organizations, she has advocated for animal health, rural development, farmland preservation and food systems.
A former state president of Indiana’s chapter of the National FFA Organization, Roberts has worked with thousands of students, educators, industry professionals and policymakers to promote agricultural education and leadership development. At Purdue, she has served in leadership roles in Sigma Alpha, Purdue Ag Week and Purdue Student Government as the incoming student body president.
Roberts also partners with Purdue Extension to research food accessibility, helping to develop practical solutions to address food insecurity. Her vision, servant leadership and commitment to agriculture make her an outstanding representative of the industry’s future.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.
Writer: Jenna Nees, smith535@purdue.edu
Media contact: Olivia De Young, odeyoung@purdue.edu
Source: Angie Abbott, abbottar@purdue.edu
Journalist Assets: Images, Google Drive
