Teaching Regenerative Agriculture at Purdue: Sharing the Future of Purdue Wine
- Brent
- Nov 1, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 29
There’s something special about returning to the place where it all began. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a day in West Lafayette with the Purdue Wine Grape Team, sharing with upper-level horticulture students about our efforts in regenerative agriculture and sustainable vineyard practices.
As a Purdue alumnus, walking back onto campus brought a flood of memories—along with a few flashbacks to finals week! 😨 But this time, instead of sitting in class, I was at the front, teaching the next generation of students who will help shape the future of Indiana agriculture and perhaps even the Indiana wine industry.
Cultivate Life
Our farming philosophy mirrors our life philosophy: Cultivate Life. When you visit our vineyard, you’ll see that principle at work everywhere. From the wildflowers between the vines to the butterflies, bees, and birds that make their home here—every element of the ecosystem has a role to play.
At The Rejoicing Vine, our goal is to grow grapes with nature, not against it. This approach—known as regenerative agriculture—focuses on restoring the soil, encouraging biodiversity, and strengthening the natural systems that make wine growing sustainable for generations to come.
It’s an approach that aligns beautifully with the research and innovation coming out of the Purdue School of Agriculture, where science, sustainability, and creativity meet to support growers across Indiana.
A Day of Learning and Sharing
After class, I had the privilege of meeting with expert enologist Jill Blume from the Purdue Wine Grape Team. Together, we tasted several of our wines and discussed ways to enhance balance and extend finish—so every sip lingers a little longer.
It was a reminder that the work Purdue is doing to advance wine education and research has a ripple effect throughout the state. The Purdue wine community—from students to faculty to alumni—is helping elevate Indiana’s reputation for quality, sustainability, and innovation.
Cultivating Life at Every Level
Days like this remind me how intertwined growth, learning, and stewardship really are. Whether it’s nurturing the soil, refining a wine, or mentoring the next generation, every step is an opportunity to Cultivate Life.
As I shared with the students, regeneration isn’t just an agricultural method—it’s a mindset. The more we give back to the soil, to our communities, and to one another, the more abundance we experience in return.
A Toast to Purdue Wine and the Future of Indiana Vineyards
I’m deeply grateful to the Purdue Wine Grape Team for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and share what we’re learning in our own vineyard. The work they do—advancing Indiana wine, supporting growers, and inspiring students—helps keep Indiana’s wine industry thriving.
If you’d like to learn more, visit the Purdue Wine Grape Team website.
And if you want to experience regenerative agriculture firsthand, come visit us at The Rejoicing Vine. Take a walk through the vineyard, taste wines that reflect the life of the land, and see how we’re working to cultivate life—one vine, one glass, and one connection at a time.
Boiler Up! 🍷
Interested in seeing what I presented, here's a link to the presentation:
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