Purdue Extension East Central Region

09/01/2026

Ready to take steps toward a healthier you?

Join Purdue Extension for Steps to a Healthy You, a four-week program focused on helping you build healthy habits and make positive lifestyle choices.

📅 Wednesdays: September 16, 23, 30 & October 7
⏰ 12:30–2:00 p.m.
📍 West Jay Community Center

📞 Call 260-726-4707 to register.
Registration deadline is September 9, 2026.

Make your health a priority this fall and join us!

08/31/2026

DPAC Field Day is just TWO DAYS away!

There’s still time to make plans to join us Wednesday, September 2 at the Davis Purdue Ag Center in Farmland for a morning of agricultural education, continuing education credits and connections with fellow ag professionals.

📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026
⏰ Registration: 7:30 a.m. | Program begins: 8:00 a.m.
📍 Davis Purdue Ag Center, 6230 IN-1, Farmland, IN

Attendees can earn 1 PARP point, category credits and CEUs in Soil & Water Management, IPM and Crop Management.

Lunch is provided at no charge!

📞 Call 765-584-2271 to check registration availability and reserve your spot.

Don’t miss this opportunity. We’ll see you in two days!

08/31/2026

Learn what it takes to build a sustainable garden in your community with Purdue Extension's Grass To Garden Virtual Course!
Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6-8 pm ET.
Register at https://cvent.me/DAMMMg
The $50 course fee includes:
- Four live virtual sessions
- Asynchronous education & activities
- Participant manual & online resource library
- Support from experienced educators

08/31/2026

is offering a free hybrid Invasive Species Natural Resources Training this fall. The series covers invasive species identification, reporting, management and more across a variety of ecosystems. Learn more about the program and field day locations here: https://extension.purdue.edu/events/2026/09/invasive-species-natural-resources-training.html

08/28/2026

Grow your homesteading skills at the 2026 Indiana Homesteading Conference!

Join us Saturday, October 17, at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Bloomington for practical workshops and expert guidance on sustainable living, gardening, livestock, food preservation, small-farm management and more.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
📍 Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 Airport Road, Bloomington

Registration options:
💛 Full day, including lunch: $20 by September 1; $25 after
🖤 Half day, featuring two consecutive sessions: $10 by September 1; $15 after

Register by October 9 at ➡️ https://bit.ly/HomesteadingConference2026

Payment must be submitted by cash or check to Purdue Extension Monroe County. Payments are nonrefundable.

Questions? Contact Purdue Extension–Monroe County at 812-349-2575.

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

Support Mental Health in Indiana’s Agricultural Communities

Purdue Extension’s Farm Shield Program is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training for those who live, work and serve in Indiana’s rural and agricultural communities.

This training provides practical skills to help you:
• Recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges
• Respond effectively during a mental health crisis
• Offer support in a nonjudgmental way
• Connect individuals with appropriate resources
• Help build a stronger culture of wellness and support in agriculture

This training is especially valuable for farmers, family members, agricultural professionals, educators, lenders, veterinarians, agribusiness representatives and community leaders.

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m.–4 p.m. ET
📍 Indiana Soybean Alliance, 8425 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis
🔗 Register: https://cvent.me/K87DXW
⚠️ Registration deadline: TODAY, August 25 — online pre-work is required.

Help strengthen the network of support available to Indiana’s farming communities. 💚

08/24/2026

Join us for Adult Mental Health First Aid training on September 18 from 9 AM–4 PM at Henry County REMC. Learn how to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, offer support, and connect someone with appropriate help.

This training is sponsored by the Henry County Health Department and the LIVE Coalition, making registration free for participants.

🔗 Register by September 4: https://cvent.me/eQK0Go

08/21/2026

Learn what it takes to build a sustainable garden in your community with Purdue Extension's Grass To Garden Virtual Course!
Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6-8 pm ET.
The $50 course fee includes:
- Four live virtual sessions
- Asynchronous education & activities
- Participant manual & online resource library
- Support from experienced educators

Register at https://cvent.me/DAMMMg

08/20/2026

Hiring a contractor after a storm or flood? Check the contract before you sign.

Indiana law requires any home improvement contract over $150 to be in writing. The contractor must sign it before you sign or pay a deposit, and you should receive a signed copy immediately.

Before moving forward, check that your contract includes:
✔️ Names and addresses
✔️ Specific materials and work to be completed
✔️ Total price and payment schedule
✔️ Start and completion dates
✔️ Who is responsible for permits

Never sign a contract with blank spaces or sign over your insurance check.

Indiana law also provides a three-business-day cancellation period for home improvement contracts covered by the law, with specific timing for insurance-funded work.

Learn more about protecting yourself before repairs begin in Purdue Extension’s Avoiding Scams After a Disaster resource.

View the resource:https://www.purdue.edu/engineering/ABE/INPREPared/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Avoiding_Scams_After_a_Disaster_Purdue_Extension_rev_Aug2026-2.pdf