Health and Human Sciences Resources Information
What We Do
Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences provides education to people of all ages in Indiana’s 92 counties. The community is our classroom – where we bring university information to the local level and help people strengthen families, spend smart, eat right and live well.
Contact Us
Purdue Putnam County Extension
Abbi Smith, HHS Educator
asmith22@purdue.edu
12 Central Square (mailing addresses)
152 E Columbia Street (physical address)
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone #: (765) 653-8411
Meet your HHS Educator

Abbi Smith MA, RD, LD
Hello! So glad you are here. My name is Abbi (Sampson) Smith and I am the Health & Human Sciences Extension Educator at the Putnam County office. I have been in this role since April 2019.
Please take a moment to see what I can offer in Putnam County. If you have any questions, or would like more specific information, go ahead and give me a call or send me an email. I work in the areas of food, family, money and health, and would love to offer any programming to meet the needs we see in Putnam County!
To find information about statewide Health & Human Sciences Extension, please click here: https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/extension/
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Purdue Extension-Putnam County FacebookFrequently Asked Questions
Did you know you should get your pressure canner dial gauge tested annually? Call the Extension Office to schedule an appointment to get your gauge tested for accuracy. There is a $5 fee.
Are you interested in a food preservation workshop? Call the Extension Office to find out about upcoming classes on canning, drying, freezing, etc.! You can look for statewide events here.
Have specific questions on preserving food? Consider the National Center for Home Food Preservation your go-to source! View their webpage here. If you have more specific questions, or would like printed/emailed information, please give me a call at 765-653-8411.
ServSafe certification means that you have obtained sufficient knowledge about food and beverage safety and handling to earn one of the certificates. This certificate is required in all Indiana food service establishments.
Register for an upcoming ServSafe Food Managers class here: https://cvent.me/l8DXv2.
Are you wanting someone to walk with so you do not have to venture out along? Perfect! Our Extension Office hosts 2-3 walking groups per year. Give us a call to see when our next group is starting so you can join along.
Do you have diabetes? Want to make the the best choices for your health? The Dining with Diabetes program can help! Learn the skills needed to promote good health through cooking demonstrations and food sampling. Give me a call for more information about upcoming programs!
Your heart beats nearly 100,000 times a day. That’s 100,000 good reasons to take care of it.
Purdue Extension’s Be Heart Smart program is combating heart disease—the #1 cause of death for men and women in Indiana. Designed to help adults prevent heart disease, this four-session program offers simple, practical changes to achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle. This program provides information about:
- managing blood pressure and cholesterol;
- increasing daily physical activity;
- improving dietary choices;
- managing stress;
- talking to a healthcare provider, and more.
After attending the program, participants will be able to identify their controllable risk factors for heart disease and how to reduce their personal risk. Connect with me to learn more about Be Heart Smart and opportunities to attend this program.
Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Call the Extension office to learn about any upcoming offerings!
Extension Homemaker Creed: We believe in the present and its opportunities, in the future and its promises, in everything that makes life large and lovely, in the divine joy of living and helping others, and so we endeavor to pass on to others that which has benefited us, striving to go onward and upward, reaching the pinnacle of economic perfection, in improving, enlarging and endearing the greatest institution in the world – The Home.
Information about the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association can be found here: https://ieha-families.org.
Are you interested in joining a local club? Giving back to your community? Give me a call and I can direct you to our current Homemaker President to find a club that is right for you!
The Putnam County Fair begins the last Friday leading up to the final full week in July.
Visit this page for up-to-date information regarding the Putnam County Adult Open Class at the fair.
Questions regarding AOC can be directed to Abbi Smith at the Extension Office.