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Greater Indy Habitat Ag Build is the only one like it in the country

Indiana’s agricultural community and the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity have partnered again this year to construct two homes during the Indiana State Fair.

Construction of the homes began on the first day of the fair and over the next two weeks 850 volunteers will dedicate more than 4,000 hours to complete the homes before the end of the fair.

Purdue University Dean of Agriculture Jay Akridge says it is fitting members of the agriculture community are partners in the program.  “We in agriculture worry about a basic human need, which is food,” he says.  “Another one of those basic human needs is housing and affordable homes.  As we look at our communities, not everyone has that opportunity to enjoy their own home and Habitat does a wonderful job of helping provide those for deserving individuals.”

AUDIO: Jay Akridge, Purdue University

Jim Morris, president of Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity says the ag build is the only partnership like this in the country.  “By being hosts at the Indiana State Fair to showcase what we do and even more so to showcase what the agriculture community of Indiana can do when they come together,” he says.

Jim Morris, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Fair attendees can watch the construction progress of the homes on the north side of the fairgrounds.

The homes will be dedicated on August 19 and then moved to their permanent locations.