Jessica Mehr

article & Press Release Examples

Press RElease: “Bacteria Get sick too” (Purdue Agriculture, 2019)

LAHORE, Pakistan — To slow down the worldwide development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Purdue University professors Paul Ebner, animal sciences, and Nicole Widmar, agricultural economics, have partnered with professors Zafar Hayat and Shafiq ur Rehman from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) and University of Punjab, respectively, both in Lahore, Pakistan, to find novel, effective, and affordable alternatives to using traditional antibiotics in Pakistan’s growing poultry industry…..

“The Science of buying local” by Jessica Mehr
Envision magazine (2019), PUrdue college of agriculture

Blue and white tent tops dot the northwest corner of Purdue’s Memorial Mall, shading potted begonias and open cartons of brown eggs. Next to glossy red tomatoes, a handwritten cardboard sign reads “local, picked fresh,” causing staff and students to stop and inspect them.

The Purdue Farmers Market — celebrating its 10th year this May — is one of 8,761 farmers markets in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) database, a testament to the surge in demand for local products over the last 10 to 15 years. Community-supported agriculture organizations, farm-to-table restaurants and even grocery chains are marketing local ingredients.

“Consumers want that proximity,” says Ariana Torres, assistant professor in horticulture and landscape architecture and agricultural economics. “The closer you are, that produce is harvested at the peak of ripening, instead of green when it’s imported from other states or countries. This makes the produce fresher and more flavorful and sometimes preserves nutrients. That’s why most crops have a price premium for being local.”

newsletter #2

This newsletter features the NEXTRANS Indiana High School Essay Contest, for which I developed topic and guidelines, created publicity materials, contacted area high schools and educational facilities, conducted first-round reading and ranking of all essays using a holistic point system, procured final judges, and coordinated distribution of awards during an official visit from USDOT in 2010.

All Publications Copyright NEXTRANS Center, Region V Regional University Transportation Center, Purdue University Discovery Park 2008-2010.