Farm Donates $5 Million to Purdue Animal Science

Farm Donates $5 Million to Purdue Animal Science

Mindy Truex
Mindy Truex

The Purdue Animal Science program has received a major donation from one of Indiana’s leading poultry farms. The donation will benefit all of Indiana animal agriculture. The Creighton Brothers Farm in Kosciusko County has donated $5 million to the Purdue Animal Science department. Mindy Truex, VP of Creighton Brothers, says it was a chance to invest in the future of an institution that has meant so much to the success of their farm, “We work a lot with Purdue and rely on their research, especially on animal welfare. They do a lot of studies on housing, lighting, and feeding — a lot of things that affect us directly.”

 

The University plans to ask the Indiana General Assembly for permission and funding to build a new Animal Science building, and the Creighton Brothers donation will go a long way toward making that possible. A Purdue spokesman told HAT, “The funds are to support the research, teaching, and programs of the department.  If we get state approval for a new animal sciences building, then the money could go to that.” 

 

Truex says that having a resource like Purdue in our state has helped make their operation a success, “It is vital to all of the different types of animal agriculture in the state to know we have that kind of resource just down the road.” She added that the animal disease diagnostic lab has been vital in helping them identify problems in their operation. Alan Mathew, head of the Purdue Animal Science program, said the outdated building and labs are hampering their ability to conduct cutting edge research and to even evaluate blood and tissue samples that come in from farms and are needed for disease identification and cure.

 

But more than just investing in research and a building, the donation is personal. Truex said it is a way to honor those who were the founders of Creighton Brothers, “This opportunity to have a landmark that recognized them means  great deal to all of us.” Hobart and Russell Creighton were the founders of Creighton Brothers and their names will likely appear on a new building if it becomes a reality.

 

  

Recommended Posts

Loading...