As you plan events and programming that may involve elected officials, we are reminding you to contact the dean’s office before extending any invitations to the following individuals:
1. Federal senators and representatives
2. Governor and Lt. Governor
3. Other statewide elected officials (Secretary of State, Attorney General, etc.)
This step ensures proper coordination and alignment with all of Purdue’s efforts. Please reach out to Megan Kuhn (mmkuhn@purdue.edu) before making any invitations to these officials for speaking engagements or participation in Purdue Extension programming.
If you are inviting state senators and representatives to attend programming in the district they represent, you do not need to flow those requests through the dean’s office. However, if you are inviting them to speak or be part of the official program, please contact Megan before extending any invitations.
This does not include local elected officials (county or city government) and does not apply to Purdue CARET volunteers reaching out to their local and state elected officials on behalf of Purdue Agriculture.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in implementing the outreach statements on applicable materials. A reminder that the nondiscrimination policy must be used on all materials. The language accessibility and reasonable accommodation statement should be used when the opportunity exists for us to provide these services, such as at events and programming. When there is a publication, or an impact report, these statements are not needed. If you have questions about when and how to use the statements, please email Cassandra Salazar, Extension community and staff engagement administrator, at salaza14@purdue.edu.
Q: Can statements can be combined to fit better on my flyer?
A: No, statements cannot be combined. Please use them exactly as they were shared.
Q: When can I use the condensed version of the nondiscrimination statement?
A: The condensed version can be used only on materials that are postcard-size or smaller.
Q: Can the statements be edited?
A: No, the statements cannot be edited — with the exception of contact information. These statements were very carefully created and approved by multiple departments at USDA and Purdue University. It is important that we use them directly as shared.
Q: Do statements need to be included on each social media post?
A: No. These statements should be included in the account information section (e.g. Facebook-details, Instagram-bio). There has been a website created with these statements due to the limited space available. This link should only be used for social media.
Q: Must the name and contact information always be included on these language accessibility and reasonable accommodation statements?
A: Yes. Name and contact information is mandatory on the statements.
Q: Does Master Gardener need to use the outreach statements?
A: Purdue Extension Master Gardener must always use these statements for outreach. The 501(c)(3)s must also use the statements if they are using Purdue branding.
The countdown is on for Purdue Day of Giving on April 30th! This annual spring fundraising event brings together students, faculty, alumni, staff, parents, retirees and friends for 24 hours of collective giving and support.
Each college, university organization, division, team and club participates in this incredible day of philanthropy. Purdue Extension has the opportunity to join in and raise funds on behalf of your county or unit. The best part? All funds raised by your county go directly back to your county. Just like last year, counties are encouraged to engage in some friendly competition — the top 10 counties will receive bonus funds!
Now is the time to start planning your social media posts and fundraising strategies. Think about how you’d like to use the funds and start developing a list of people you plan to reach out to before and on Purdue Day of Giving.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Hub’s Purdue Day of Giving webpage, which can be found in the Quick Links menu, on the rotating banner and under the Communications tab. You’ll find logos, challenge reward details, email graphics and customizable templates available in Marq.
Counties are strongly encouraged to complete the Faculty and Staff Confidential Certification in order to receive donor lists promptly after gifts have been received. Please note that donor lists won’t be available until mid-May or the third week of May, as they require a request through the Foundation department’s data team.
To ensure timely thank-you messages, make sure at least one person from your county completes this certification.
The Purdue Extension Onboarding Resources team is pleased to release new resources that have been designed to provide new Extension professionals with a comprehensive, consistent onboarding process across the state.
These resources are available under the New Educator Resources tab of the Purdue Extension Hub: https://extension.purdue.edu/hub/neweducator/. Or, you can access them directly from the Purdue Extension Onboarding website.
A webinar to introduce these resources to mentors, CEDs, ADs, and district administrative assistants was held recently. The recording of this webinar, along with the PPT slide deck, is available on the Hub.
New Extension professionals will have the Purdue Extension Onboarding Resources assigned to them once they begin their tenure in Purdue Extension. They will follow a checklist of items to complete, that is designed to be flexible to meet individual needs. Purdue Extension Onboarding supplements the onboarding resources provided by Purdue University (New @ Purdue) and each Purdue Extension program area.
Many thanks to the team members who worked together over the past year-plus to assemble these resources. They will continue to be updated as needed. Anyone in Purdue Extension is welcome to explore and utilize the resources that are available
Julie Gray, who has dedicated more than 37 years of service to Purdue Extension, will retire at the end of March 2025. Please join us in celebrating her incredible contributions and commitment to our organization.
Considering this transition and in alignment with our fiscal responsibility, we will not be rehiring Julie’s position. Instead, supervision throughout the state will be provided by an existing area director. A revised supervision map can be found on the Hub for reference.
Effective April 1, 2025, team members in affected counties will begin participating in their new supervisors’ meetings and updates. New regional designations will be established on Sept. 1, 2025, with the start of the new program year. I encourage everyone to continue collaborating and working within teams that best serve our constituents across the state. This adjustment reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation without boundaries, enabling us to collaborate and deliver services that transcend lines and ensure impactful outcomes for all our communities.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor.
For any questions related to youth protection, please reach out to Malea Huffman at puextyouthprotection@purdue.edu or huffmanm@purdue.edu.
Reminder to make sure your Youth Protection Trainings are up to date! Everyone is responsible for taking both the Program Director and Program Staff Training in Ideal-Logic. You can check the status of your trainings by logging into POMP-X. In the top right corner, click on Profile. Under the Trainings tab it will tell you the status of your trainings. Each training is valid for a period of two years.
Thank you for all who completed watching the Youth Protection Update in February – if you have not had a chance to complete this – please make it a priority in the next week. This should be watched by all Field Staff, County Support Staff and Extension Specialists. https://app.box.com/s/gasi5pa6scjwfkku13xcsrsal881no9y
The 2025 Indiana State Fair will once again offer the opportunity for Purdue Extension professionals to showcase the vast work being done across the state. Extension professionals are encouraged to be a part of the interactive presentations that will be offered in the Purdue Extension Building from 11:00 a.m. EST to 3:00 p.m. EST and/or 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily during the Indiana State Fair (Aug. 1-17). If you have an interest, please complete this Qualtrics. Questions can be sent to Atina Rozhon, arozhon@purdue.edu. Thank you for your consideration to be a part of the exhibits in the Purdue Extension Building at the 2025 Indiana State Fair.
As part of the 30th anniversary of Purdue Center for Families (CFF) in 2024, the center sought to recognize and celebrate the important work done within families every day, while continuing to enhance research, education and resources. CFF partnered with Purdue Extension, family and consumer sciences educators, the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association and others to promote the Family Dinner Project. The Family Dinner Project (www.familydinnerproject.org) is an initiative to promote family dinners as an opportunity to connect with each other through food, fun, and conversation. Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain, and the health of all family members. Studies link regular family dinners with lower rates of substance use, teen pregnancy, depression, as well as higher grade-point averages and self-esteem. To support Purdue Extension educators in all program areas (HHS, ANR, CD, and 4-H Youth Development) and Nutrition Education Program staff in hosting events and educational activities to promote family dinners, the Center for Families is graciously providing financial sponsorship through a grant opportunity.
The CFF is sponsoring four $250 Family Dinner Project Awards. Funds may be used to promote family meals, for educational programming, and/or for providing meals to families and communities. The application deadline is March 6, 2025, with submissions to be emailed to Christina Swathwood (cbautista@purdue.edu). See the application attached for more information.