Agronomy Center for Research and Education Live Cam

The Founding and Evolution of the Agronomy Center for Research and Education

Established in 1962 on a sprawling 700‑acre tract in Tippecanoe County, the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) has steadily grown into one of the Midwest’s premier hubs for agricultural research and crop science innovation. Strategically located along U.S. Highway 52, the site was chosen for its gently rolling terrain, fertile silt loam soils, and proximity to Purdue University’s core campus in West Lafayette. Early field trials focused on corn hybrid selection and nitrogen fertility management, leveraging the region’s humid continental climate to test varietal performance under real‑world conditions.

Soil Science and Pedology: Unlocking the County’s Loam Heritage

Tippecanoe County sits atop glacial outwash and lacustrine deposits left by the Wisconsinan glaciation, resulting in well‑drained silt loams that rank among Indiana’s most productive agricultural soils. Upon arrival, soil scientists at ACRE conducted detailed pedological surveys, mapping the Alfisols and Mollisols that underlie the center’s fields. These surveys inform precision agriculture studies, as researchers tailor lime and phosphorus applications to micro‑zones within each plot, optimizing nutrient uptake while minimizing environmental runoff.