The Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) has named Dan Quinn, assistant professor of agronomy in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, as the ICMC Extension specialist in agronomy to support leadership in corn research, Extension services and education. Quinn has been the Purdue Extension corn specialist since 2021.
“The Indiana Corn Marketing Council believes that good, reliable research will lead to healthier fields, better crops, higher yields and more profitable farms,” said ICMC President Susan Brocksmith, a farmer from Vincennes, Indiana.
“Dan Quinn’s work exemplifies the impact Purdue faculty can have when connecting science-based solutions directly to the needs of Indiana agriculture,” said Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture and professor of agricultural and biological engineering. “We are grateful to the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana corn farmers for their investment.”
Quinn, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Michigan State University and a doctoral degree at the University of Kentucky, has an interdisciplinary research and Extension program at Purdue to improve the overall production, profitability and environmental performance of Midwest corn systems.
“This honor recognizes Dan’s commitment to rigorous, farm-based research integrated with forward-looking technologies to advance agricultural productivity and stewardship in Indiana,” said Laura Bowling, professor and head of the Department of Agronomy.
Quinn grew up working on farms in his home state of Michigan, which sparked his interest in agriculture and soil science. His research on corn and other crops is conducted at several of the Purdue Agricultural Centers and with farmers throughout the state.
“ICMC funding allows my program to conduct applied field research that addresses some of the most pressing production challenges facing Indiana growers,” he said. “These projects generate the science-based data needed to answer practical questions about corn management and provide farmers and advisors with information they can use to improve productivity and profitability.”
He also acknowledged ICMC support for the Indiana Corn Research and Updates newsletter, featured on his website, The Kernel; dissemination of research results from field research trials; and the development of the Corn Outreach and Research Network, a collaborative, multistate research and Extension initiative established in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association.
Quinn considers the ICMC an essential partner in every aspect of his program, which also provides education and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. “This appointment is a tremendous honor for me,” he said. “I believe it reflects the value and impact of my research and Extension program.”
“Dan Quinn’s research has been practical and helpful as Indiana’s corn farmers work to produce an exceptional crop each season,” Brocksmith said. “ICMC is happy to invest in his work, and we know that good things will come from this.”
Connecting research with growers
Quinn’s role also extends well beyond traditional Extension publications and field days.
He is a familiar voice to Indiana growers as co-host of the Purdue Crop Chat Podcast, alongside Purdue Extension Soybean Specialist Shaun Casteel and Hoosier Ag Today President Eric Pfeiffer.
The podcast provides another avenue for Purdue specialists to discuss timely crop-management issues, emerging threats and research findings with farmers and advisers — bringing university expertise directly into the cab, pickup or farm office.
That communication component is increasingly important as growers navigate more complicated production decisions and rapidly changing technology.
The Purdue Crop Chat Podcast is presented by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance.
