Granger, Ind. — U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly received a hands-on perspective about the innovative technologies being developed at Purdue University’s Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center in West Lafayette during his latest Donnelly Day yesterday. Donnelly, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, was introduced to Purdue’s phenotyping research and then followed an ear of corn through the center’s plant processing lab, where researchers observe plant characteristics in order to develop better crop varieties that enhance crop yields and improve nutritional attributes. Donnelly also helped assemble and fly a UAV drone that is used for gathering information in the field.

From Left to Right: Donnelly seed counting; Donnelly operating a corn shelling machine; Donnelly meets with Professors from Purdue School of Agriculture; Donnelly with a Purdue student. For more photos, click here.

Launched in August 2014, “Donnelly Days” are an ongoing series of events, where the Senator works alongside Hoosiers in a variety of jobs and professions in communities across Indiana to gain a greater understanding of the issues most important to Hoosier workers. To learn more about “Donnelly Days,” click here.

###