Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension

10/28/2026

🏆 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗛𝗦 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🎉

This week, during our Purdue HHS Extension Training, we had the pleasure of recognizing our 2026 NEAFCS North Central Region and National Award winners! These honors celebrate the outstanding work, dedication, and impact of our Extension professionals and the communities they serve.

Join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients! 💛🖤

10/27/2026

Your Sixties: Step Into Retirement with Confidence🚶‍♀️💪 📈 🏖️

This decade is all about making smart decisions around Social Security, Medicare, and managing your money for the long haul. Use this checklist to help ease the transition and retire with confidence.

✅ Finalize your retirement age and timeline
✅ Choose the best time to claim Social Security
✅ Enroll in Medicare and compare coverage options
✅ Review income sources and withdrawal strategies
✅ Adjust your investments and create a realistic retirement budget
✅ Eliminate debt and update legal documents
✅ Plan your post-retirement lifestyle and stay engaged

📋 Checkout and print the Retirement Planning Checklist for Your 60s today and prepare for what’s next! 👇
https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/money/programs/retirement-checklist-60s.html

10/23/2026

Fall is for cozy kitchens, warm spices and something delicious in the oven. 🍎🍂 Whether you’re baking along with your favorite baking show or just craving a seasonal treat, these recipes offer 15 delicious ways to bring more fruits & veggies into your fall baking. Grab your mixing bowl and let the baking begin! 🧁🎃 https://tinyurl.com/mrydr5x5

10/22/2026

🎁 Enjoy more of the holidays and worry less about your wallet with !

The holiday season can bring extra expenses, but a little planning can go a long way. Purdue Extension’s free, five-week email series, Curb Your Urge to Splurge: Holiday Edition, offers practical ways to manage holiday spending while still making the season special.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
💰 Plan your holiday spending
🎁 Find thoughtful, budget-friendly gifts
🍽️ Make holiday meals easier and more affordable
🛡️ Recognize and avoid holiday scams
❤️ Reduce financial stress and enjoy the season

📧 The series begins October 26, 2026, and is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Registration is free! Sign up by October 25.

👉 Learn more and register: https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/money/programs/curb-your-urge-to-splurge-holiday-edition.html

The holiday season is a time for making memories, celebrating traditions, and spending time with the people you love. But between gift shopping, holiday gatherings, busy schedules, and extra expenses, the season can also bring added stress.

10/21/2026

💰 In Your 50s? Make the Most of Your Retirement Planning.

Whether you're catching up on savings or fine-tuning your financial plans, your 50s are an important time to prepare for the retirement you envision.

Use our checklist to help you:
✅ Define your retirement goals and desired lifestyle
✅ Determine how much more you need to save
✅ Maximize retirement contributions, including catch-up options
✅ Pay down debt and review your investments
✅ Estimate Social Security benefits and healthcare costs
✅ Update your estate plan and practice living on a retirement budget

📋 Check out and print the Retirement Planning Checklist for Your 50s and take the next step toward your financial future! https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/money/programs/retirement-checklist-50s.html

10/19/2026

🍅 Healthy habits start early! Small steps toward healthier food choices can help teens build habits that last a lifetime.

60% of high school students eat vegetables daily. 🥕 Is your teen one of them?

Choosing healthy recipes today can help teens have a healthier tomorrow.

Read about teens’ eating habits and more from CDC’s newest Youth Health in Focus report: www.cdc.gov/yrbs/youth-health-in-focus/index.html

10/16/2026

❄️ Curious about home freeze-drying? Sometimes, seeing it in action and trying it for yourself can teach you more than an online search! Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension educator Janel Franks and her colleagues are giving people the opportunity to explore this food preservation method hands-on and make informed decisions before investing in the equipment.

A home freeze dryer can be a major investment. At Discover Freeze Drying, 13 participants got to see the equipment in action, compare food preservation methods and taste freeze-dried and rehydrated foods. The hands-on experience helped several people who were already considering a purchase feel more prepared to decide what would work for them.

“In a culture that seeks information through internet searches, attending a program that allows people to have first-hand knowledge through demonstration and taste tests assists them in making informed decisions,” said Purdue Extension regional educator Janel Franks.

Franks developed the program with fellow Purdue Extension educators and specialists so communities can explore freeze-drying with practical, research-based guidance. 💛🖤

10/15/2026

🧭 Your 40s: The Power Decade for Retirement Planning! 💼🏠

Retirement isn’t far off—it’s real, it’s coming, and it’s time to make sure you’re ready. In your 40s, it’s all about refining your strategy and maximizing your momentum!

Check out our Retirement Planning Checklist for Your 40s and take charge of your future:
✅ Assess your savings & close any gaps
📈 Maximize contributions (and catch-up if eligible!)
💳 Crush debt & control spending
🛡️ Protect your health, wealth & legacy
🔄 Adjust your plan to stay on track
The stronger your plan now, the more freedom you’ll enjoy later. Let’s make these years count! 🔥

📄 Grab your checklist here: https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/money/programs/retirement-checklist-40s.html

10/14/2026

🎙️ Excited for what’s ahead!

🌟 Unlocking Childhood Podcast co-hosts Kelsie Muller (Purdue Extension) and German Posada (Purdue University Department of Human Development and Family Science) attended Podcast Movement in New York! They connected with industry leaders, explored the latest tips and tricks, and are bringing back fresh insights to keep elevating our community.

🧠 If you haven’t tuned in yet, now is the perfect time to discover Unlocking Childhood, the podcast dedicated to deep dives into early development, parenting, and unlocking every child's full potential.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation! https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/family/index.html -family


Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences
Kelsie Muller

10/12/2026

🍎 Ready, set, CRUNCH! October is Farm to School Month, and the Indiana Great Apple Crunch is a delicious way to celebrate! 🍏 Schools, businesses, youth organizations, and community groups across Indiana can join in by taking a bite of a locally grown apple and showing support for our state’s growers.

Want to be part of the fun? Register your event and help Indiana make some crunch-worthy memories!

🍎 Learn more and sign up: https://www.ingrown4schools.com/indiana-great-apple-crunch