Steuben County Extension Board Members

Terry Johnson

President

2021-2024

Terry sees that Purdue Extension provides multiple programs for residents in all areas of the county. The variety of programs incorporate all different demographics while the topics are current and important to the community. Terry has seen the lessons being taught and understands the educational goals. She has been a part of activities with Trine University sporting events and cultural events such as MLK program and international night.

Linda Cooper

Vice President

2024-2026

Linda is a Career Strategist who coaches students on career development topics at Trine University. She volunteers for the Steuben County Community Foundation, serves as a workshop facilitor for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, and served on the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce Board. Linda feels Purdue Extension has many programs to benefit multiple community members and would like to see Steuben County residents take advantage of them.

Amanda Lauer

Secretary

2021-2024

The areas in which Purdue Extension focuses are important to Amanda as they relate to the growth and development of a healthy community, and she is honored to help plan and provide advice. She has been on the board of Shape Up Steuben as Event Coordinator and has facilitated any aspects of Angola's Art Pageant for the past three years. Purdue Exension aligns with her values of partnership, leadership, and development for our future and our children's future.

Jessica Cartwright

2021-2024

Jessica has a desire to make our community better for all who live here. She brings her knowledge and past experiences with her, which offers a different outlook. It is important to her to have a variety of people on the board so all can learn from each other. Health and Human Science and Community Development are the areas Jessica feels comfortable advising and offering thoughts. Jessica has worked with Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, Pleasant Lake PTO, and has volunteered at Warm a Heart.

Amber Farnham

2021-2024

Amber has been involved with the Steuben County 4-H Program for 12 years with her two sons and serves as the 4-H Club Leader of the Lucky Ducks 4-H Club, something she has excelled at for 7 years. Amber is also involved with the Steuben County Literacy Coalition and Fairview Missionary Church. She stays busy with "Hearts and Crafts by Amber," her small business.

Jordan Eldridge

2021-2024

Bio coming soon...

Beverly Martin

2022-2025

Beverly feels she could be an asset to the Purdue Exension Board because of her background and experiences, especially with youth. She is very involved with her children and grand children throughout their school and extra-curricular activities. Beverly owned a business in Angola for nine years and participated with the Chamber of Commerce, networking groups, and volunteered with non-profits throughout the Angola area. She supports and shops small businesses in our area and believes that by supporting these local businesses, it will only strengthen our community.

Ginger Smith

2022-2025

Ginger is an advocate of knowing where your food comes from and growing your own food. She has knowledge of growing fruits and vegetables as well as preserving them through methods such as freezing, canning, dehydrating, and freeze drying. She also raises chickens for both eggs and meat. Supporting local farmers is important to her to promote a stronger community.

Paulette Boekhout

2024-2026

Paulette is very passionate about health and wellness after embarking on her own journey to reverse an autoimmune disorder. Paulette is a board member of Turning Point, serves in her local church's band and volunteers at a few of Fairview Missionary Church's Ministries. She contributes to the board with her experiences and knowledge of nutrition and wellness. Paulette is most comfortable advising the Health and Human Sciences program area.

Kimberly Buffenn

2024-2026

Kimberly is the CEO of KayKim Academics. KayKim develops original hands-on, interactive, and multidisciplinary K-12 STEAM-based curricula. Kimberly is also a former university professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and research scientist in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Purdue Extension's vision to provide relevant, high-impact educational programming that transforms lives and communities aligns well with her ideals.

Stacy Clingan

2024-2026

Stacy is very familiar with Purdue Extension. She has served as the Orland Creative Kids 4-H Club Leader, the Steuben County 4-H Dairy Superintendent, as well as a member of the Millgrove Modern Extension Homemakers. She is also a Steuben County Farm Bureau Board Member. Continuing to stay involved with the youth of Steuben County was one major reason for serving on the board.

Matt Hanna

2024-2026

Matt has served the community full-time in parks and recreation placemaking and programming for 19 years. He currently serves on the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the McClue Nature Preserve Board. Matt has a daughter involved in Mini 4-H, has worked with the Master Gardeners in the past on a community-based garden, worked with the 4-H Junior Leaders by getting feedback from them for the park 5-year plan as well as facilitating volunteer hours at park events. He wants to be a part of something that not only serves the youth in the area, but all the citizens and businesses in the area.

Denny Springer

2024-2026

Denny is very interested in retention of youth in Steuben County as they exit the school system, so he helps provide business exploration tours for area high school students to net work with area businesses. He has been very involved with Purdue Extension with their After School Programming in both Fremont and Angola Middle Schools. He is extending that after school programming with two greenhouse projects that will be overseen by our Ag and Natural Resources Educator and curriculum by the Master Gardeners. He is also a JDAI volunteer and a trainer for the Indiana Youth and Government program hosted by the Steuben County YMCA.

Tawnie Cisneros

2024-2027

In 2022, Tawnie's family relocated from the Chicago suburbs to Steuben County for its incredible lakes, family values and sense of community. She's a member of the Pleasant Lake Lions Club and a volunteer with the Pleasant Lake Historic Society, Trine University's Career Center, and, as an avid fan of Montessori education, Oak Farm Montessori School in Avilla. She's also the founder of Cisneros Communications, a consultancy that serves the Fortune 500. When she isn't leading her business, you'll find Tawnie gardening, baking sourdough, preserving her harvest, or kayaking Pleasant Lake. Tawnie is eager to contribute to our community's sustainable growth by sharing her knowledge (and always learning more!) about effective communications and small-scale homesteading.

Interested in Joining Us?

Contact Tami Mosier, mosier@purdue.edu, if interested in serving in this valuable role.