Purdue Extension East Central Region

10/26/2026

Looking to strengthen your grant writing skills or turn an idea into a fundable proposal?

Join Purdue Extension for the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing, a two-day workshop designed for beginner and intermediate grant writers. Participants will work through the grant-writing process, develop a proposal, learn strategies for finding funding opportunities, and receive feedback to help strengthen their submission.

📅 Tuesday, November 17 & Tuesday, December 8, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET
📍 West Jay Community Center, Dunkirk, IN
💲 $225 — includes materials and lunch both days

Registration deadline: November 10
Register: cvent.me/MAab1X

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

10/20/2026

connects people with research-based knowledge to help enhance lives and livelihoods. That mission is what brings our work together, and it will continue to guide us in the years ahead. In the latest PEP Talk (Purdue Extension Podcast), Extension director Dr. Angie Abbott talks about Purdue Extension transformation and how our organization is preparing for the future.

📺Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfhUrfoh-mA
🎧Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/0m3AwTNU81mHskmzE7wfMn...

10/16/2026

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

What’s lurking around Indiana?

Join Purdue Extension’s Tabby Flinn for Stingers & Fangs, a free virtual program about spiders, wasps, bees, centipedes, ants and other creepy crawlers.

Learn how to identify them, live safely around them and know when to call an expert. Have a photo of a mystery crawler? Bring it along for help identifying it!

📅 October 29, 2026
🕕 6–8 p.m. ET
💻 Virtual program

Register here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aWb003OSgq0WthA

10/13/2026

Make the most of your holiday budget! 🛍

Join Purdue Extension’s free, five-week email series, Curb Your Urge to Splurge: Holiday Edition, for practical tips and creative ideas to help you save money, reduce stress, and enjoy the season.

- Create a holiday spending plan
- Discover budget-friendly gift ideas
- Find simple meal ideas
- Learn about holiday scams
- Enjoy the season without overspending

Emails begin October 26, 2026, and the series 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

10/13/2026

A little lawn care magic can help protect Indiana’s lakes, streams and rivers! 🪄

When mowing, keep grass clippings on your lawn instead of blowing them onto sidewalks, driveways or roads. Rain can carry material from hard surfaces into storm drains and nearby waterways.

If granular lawn products get onto pavement, sweep them up and follow the product label for proper use. Always read and follow label directions.

Want to learn more about lawn health? Explore Purdue Turfgrass disease reports:
https://turf.purdue.edu/category/disease-control/disease-reports/

Be the fairy godparent of your yard: keep lawn materials where they belong!

10/11/2026

How well do you know your farm's financial numbers?

Join us for Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options, a four-session virtual workshop where you'll connect with agricultural experts and fellow producers to discuss key financial management topics that can impact your operation.

Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1 & 8
Virtual on Zoom
$20 Registration - https://cvent.me/lbMK32

Invest a few evenings this winter to gain valuable tools for making confident farm business decisions.

10/09/2026

Interested in growing specialty crops using soilless substrates?

Join Purdue Extension for a free webinar exploring soilless substrates used in controlled-environment production.

📅 October 28
⏰ Noon–1 p.m.
💻 Online
💲 Free; registration is required

Webinar access information will be emailed to registered participants.
Register today: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Vx4QOsOhTVeFv0

Questions? Contact:
Lori Jolly Brown
[email protected]
765-494-1296

Dr. Krishna Nemali
[email protected]
765-494-8179