Purdue Extension West Central Region

🏃‍➡️When Movement Is Missing: The Hidden Gaps in Early Childhood

This PD explores how limited physical activity in early learning environments impacts children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. This piece highlights the often-overlooked consequences of reduced movement opportunities and emphasizes why active play is essential---not optional---for building strong foundations in early childhood.

This event will be cohosted by Regional Extension HHS Educator, Brock Turner.

📍Address: Delphi Community Center: 311 N Washington St. Delphi, IN 46923
Registration will open June 1st, 2026.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact Angela Johnson prior to the meeting at (765) 421-3680 or [email protected] by August 07, 2026. If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Angela Johnson prior to the meeting at (765) 421-3680 or [email protected] by August 07, 2026.

Open to childcare providers in Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White counties. Providers will receive a PD stipend for attending!

Register here! https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5veYdEzaunlPaK2

🎡 The Indiana State Fair is almost here!
Join us August 7–23 to explore Purdue Extension exhibits and celebrate the creativity, hard work and accomplishments of Indiana youth. Be sure to stop by throughout the fair to see their incredible projects! 🍀

Click here for more info: https://www.indianastatefair.com/

We’re proud to see our own William Walls creating hands-on opportunities that connect local youth with agriculture! 🌱 Thank you to Tippecanoe County Farm Bureau and all the partners who helped make Indiana 4-H Ag to Athletics Day Camp a memorable learning experience. 🍀👏

🌱 Seats are still available—apply by Friday!

The Purdue Extension Master Gardener Intern Basic Training course begins August 6. This 16-week, in-person course is designed for gardening enthusiasts interested in expanding their knowledge and volunteering to support home horticulture education in Indiana communities.

📅 August 6–November 19
🕕 Thursdays from 6–9 p.m.
📍 Tippecanoe County Extension Office
1950 S. 18th Street, Lafayette

Topics include soils and plant nutrition, fruit and vegetable gardening, ornamental plants, w**d and insect control, plant disease diagnosis, invasive species, lawn care, pesticide safety and more.

To apply, complete the EMG-1 volunteer application and email it to Jon Charlesworth at [email protected] by Friday, July 31.https://extension.purdue.edu/county/tippecanoe/_docs/master_gardeners/emg-1-volunteer-application-and-agreement.pdf

Questions? Contact Jon at 765-761-8488 or [email protected].
Don’t wait. Classes begin next week!

High school age Indiana 4-H'ers & families interested in engineering, health, medicine, and technology: save the date for a community event from Purdue University’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering!

• 📅Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• 🕰️Time: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
• 📍Location: Purdue University in Indianapolis
• 🎓Audience: Indiana high school students (with parent/guardian participation encouraged).

This experience is designed to introduce students to what Biomedical Engineering is, what biomedical engineers do, and how Purdue’s BME program prepares students for careers and graduate or professional school. Students will engage in hands on BME activities, while parents/guardians participate in BME specific sessions on academic pathways, applications, and career outcomes.

Register: https://bit.ly/4xQayWL

Interested in growing a new crop or creating a value-added product? Join Brian Geier and Elizabeth Tobey at the Broomcorn for Organic Transition Field Day to learn about growing broomcorn organically and how it can fit into a transition to organic production. The free event takes place August 10 at Bundle Sticks Farm. Register at tinyurl.com/3ebn8u68.

Purdue University continues to demonstrate the power and purpose of being a land-grant university—bringing education, research and resources to communities across Indiana and beyond. Learn more about what this mission means and how Purdue carries it forward. ⬇️

Purdue is a land-grant university — it’s the core of our mission. But do you know what it means to be a land grant? 🤔

Mitch Daniels, Purdue’s interim president, dives into the history of these unique universities and how Purdue fulfills its land-grant role, on the latest episode of .

Discover more: https://purdue.university/3Rb1KKl

Building Balanced Learning: Nurturing Holistic Development

In this presentation, educators will learn that holistic development refers to supporting the whole child, their mind, body, and social-emotional well-being, so they grow into well-rounded individuals. Instead of focusing on just academics, holistic development recognizes that children learn best when all areas of growth are nurtured together. We will take a look at how integrating holistic development ideas provides children with a balanced learning environment by exploring the interconnectedness of developmental domains.

📍Location and address: Warren County Extension Office: 408 SR 28 E, Williamsport, IN
🗓️Date: July 25, 2026
⏰Time: 9:00-11:00

Register Here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rv2jlp1fZFe5Ey

Open to childcare providers in Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White counties.

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‘It Always Gives Back’: Lafayette 4-Her Shares Life Lessons Learned Through County Fair Projects   County fair season is well underway, and 4-Hers across Indiana are showing off their projects, and not just their livestock. 13-year-old Tippecanoe County 4-Her Audrey Spray stepped away from rinsing one of her family’s 11 pigs