Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension

02/09/2026

March is , and it’s the perfect time to build your food preservation skills! 🌱🍅

Mastering Home Food Preservation instructors are hosting 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩, a live, online series focused on evidence-based techniques for preserving food safely on Monday evenings in March. 🥫📚 Topics include water bath canning, pressure canning, dehydrating, and more. All sessions will be recorded and shared with registered participants.

Sign up here: https://cvent.me/kdwYYK

02/04/2026

Flu season isn’t over yet and prevention still matters 🤧🦠

Continue taking simple steps to keep yourself and others healthy 🧼
• Wash your hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes 🤧
• Clean and disinfect shared surfaces
• Stay home if you’re feeling sick 🏠

Small steps can make a big difference in keeping germs away! ✨ Learn more at:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevention/actions-prevent-flu.html

02/02/2026

New PEP Talk episode out now! 🎙️
Hear from Lisa Graves, interim HHS Extension program leader, on current programming and how is meeting the needs of Indiana families.

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0m3AwTNU81mHskmzE7wfMn
📺 YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Zsfetv6zoKk

In this edition of the P.E.P. Talk, Steve and Allen interview Lisa Graves about her role in Purdue Extension HHS, programs they are offering, and some things...

01/28/2026

We loved seeing early educators come together in Bloomington for another Elevate Learning Project with our Block Party! ❄️📚

Through this partnership, we’re proud to support early learning programs across with training, resources, and practical strategies that strengthen classrooms and help children under five thrive. Thanks to our partners for helping make this work possible. 💛🖤

01/26/2026

🎉Congratulations to Ashley Piland, HHS Educator in Marion County, on the successful kickoff of this year's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program!

This important program is made possible through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant—an IRS initiative that supports free tax preparation service for underserved communities—and in partnership with the United Way of Howard/Tipton Counties. Together, this effort helps low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited English proficiency file their taxes each year. 💰📄

👏 A heartfelt thank you to our federal and local partners (pictured) and dedicated volunteers who make this work possible:

- Andrew VanSingel, Internal Revenue
- Kate McKnight, Internal Revenue
- Cheryl Graham, United Way serving Howard & Tipton Counties
- Andy Nielsen, Indianapolis City-County Councilor
- Lisa Graves, Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences

🔗 Looking for free tax resources?
Visit our new website: http://bit.ly/VITAPROGRAM2026

Purdue Extension Marion County

01/22/2026

💛🖤 Congratulations Angie!! 👏🏼🚂

Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, has appointed Angie Abbott as associate dean and director of Purdue Extension, effective immediately. Abbott has 22 years of experience with Purdue Extension.

01/21/2026

❄️ 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 ❄️

Earlier this month, we shared information about dangerous winter weather, and once again, conditions are shaping up to be a significant concern.⚠️

Forecast models suggest a mix of impacts across the region. Parts of could see heavy snow or heavy precipitation🌨️, while areas to our south may face a major ice storm. On top of that, dangerously cold temperatures are expected for nearly everyone🥶.

Because of the potential risks, the Indiana PREPared team offers a collection of educational resources to help you prepare for and safely respond to severe winter weather (https://www.purdue.edu/engineering/ABE/INPREPared/inclusive-prep/):
- Car Winter Survival Kit Checklist
- Home Emergency & "Go-Bag" Supplies
- Other Resources -
https://www.weather.gov/?_ga=2.144820212.1365342246.1769022077-1846421146.1769022077

Please help spread the word—being prepared can make all the difference. 🧤❄️

01/16/2026

Simple blocks, powerful learning. 🧱Block play helps children explore, create, and learn together. Thanks to a partnership between Health and Human Sciences Extension and Early Learning Indiana, Block Party trainings are supporting early learning staff across . A great example of collaboration, regional strategy, and workforce development in action!

Purdue Extension - Boone County
Purdue Extension - Howard County
Purdue Extension - Monroe County
Purdue Extension-White County

01/15/2026

There are some pretty cold temps in the next few days. Warming shelters and centers are open across for anyone needing relief from the cold. Shelters offer a safe place to warm up or stay overnight. For help, call 2-1-1.
Find locations here:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4pw3tWu

🔗 https://bit.ly/3ME79qG

PLEASE SHARE: Warming shelters and centers are open across Indiana for any Hoosier who needs to get out of the cold.

Shelters are a safe place for anyone needing to get out of the cold for a few hours or to stay overnight. Hoosiers who need additional assistance can call 2-1-1.

DHS warming center map: https://bit.ly/4pw3tWu
Indiana 211 warming center map: https://bit.ly/3ME79qG

NOTE: Not all centers are shown on this map, please click the links above for more details.

01/14/2026

The rate of drug overdose deaths among teens remains higher than it was before the pandemic, and the percentage of those deaths involving fentanyl has risen from 2.7% in 2018 to 80.8% in 2023. The first steps for keeping teens safe from overdose are to recognize the risks and signs, as well as understand how to talk about substance use.

Learn more about this important topic through 's Substance Use Education Video Series, available for free at: https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/health/programs/substance-use-education-series.html -1-parents

01/13/2026

The 2025 Impact Report is out! 🎉

Discover how research-based education is making a difference across - from agriculture 🌾 and 4-H youth development 🍀 to health 💛, Community resilience 🤝, and preparing for the future. Check out the full report here: https://extension.purdue.edu/annualreport/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawPTXRpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEerXt40YAsoQIoq_sqZIp5FPcQqKAdqs86eI8gRHj4aV8tiQu6tw7KaLAkpR0_aem_iOC2ZeDmFgX5eQgu0JGy2w

We invite you to read our 2024 Annual Impact Report to learn about some of the significant activities that Purdue Extension has led during this past year.

01/12/2026

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but it does come with conversations. ☕

🎙️𝘜𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥: 𝘊𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘴 is your go-to podcast for real talk with parents and experts about navigating the early years. Podcast debuts February 2026. Stay tuned! 🌟