Youth Education Family Garden 4-H Food Agriculture Health

2025 Annual Summary

  • Hailey Dornbusch, Kyle Weaver, & Tanya Pike
  • January 28, 2026

2025 Annual Summary

The Purdue Extension Mission is to deliver practical, research-based information that transforms lives and livelihoods. 
Switzerland County Extension works to actualize that mission by offering a variety of programs in the Ag & Natural Resources, Health and Human Sciences and 4-H Youth Development program areas. The past few years have brought significant challenges and changes that extension met through virtual and hybrid programming. While those challenges limited extension programming efforts greatly they also offered opportunities to expand our audiences virtually and strengthen digital offerings and assets. 
The following is a review of programs delivered to our community from local, area and statewide extension efforts. 

Kyle Weaver, keweaver@purdue.edu, Extension Educator, CED, ANR/4-H; Hailey Dornbusch, hdornbus@purdue.edu, Extension Educator, 4-H/HHS

Switzerland County Summary

Across 2025, Switzerland County programs delivered youth development, STEM education, financial literacy, after-school enrichment, healthy living education, and leadership experiences. Key Switzerland County program areas included Captain Cash financial literacy instruction, Adulting 101 life skills lessons, multiple STEM Days at SCES and JCES, and the After the Bell programs emphasizing nature education and hands-on STEM activities.

High-volume local programs included Captain Cash cycles reaching 300 youth at Jefferson-Craig and 240 youth at Switzerland County Elementary. STEM Days engaged 100–160 students per event, and the 3rd Grade Ag Day served 120 youth with agricultural learning. Adult programs included Food Is Medicine sessions that supported 7–8 adults per week with nutrition and budgeting education.

Regional and Multi-County Programs

Regionally, contributions included staffing Southeastern Indiana 4-H Camp, which reached 291 youth, and supporting Junior Staff Trainings in Jefferson and Decatur Counties (73 and 35 youth participants, respectively). The Area 1 4-H Volunteer Conference in Ripley County engaged 28 adults and 5 youth in leadership development.

Workforce development efforts included co-instructing a ServSafe Manager course in Jennings County, resulting in four new adult certifications. These regional engagements expanded Purdue Extension’s reach and strengthened cross-county collaboration.

Statewide Program Contributions

Statewide contributions included participation in the Indiana 4-H STEM Showcase, Robotics Competition, and Invention Convention. These events collectively engaged over 165 registered youth participants, 38 robotics team members, and 23 young inventors. The events fostered problem solving, technical communication, and exposure to STEM careers.

These statewide programs amplified access to STEM opportunities and supported youth skill development aligned with Purdue Extension’s mission to prepare young people for future academic and career pathways.

Combined Program Impact

Together, Switzerland County, regional, and statewide programs demonstrate comprehensive impact across youth development, STEM innovation, financial literacy, healthy living, and leadership development. The diversity of programs—from classroom-based curriculum to regional camps and statewide STEM expos—reflect a cohesive and effective educational strategy that supports youth and adults across the continuum of learning.

4-H Youth Development

Hailey Dornbusch & Kyle Weaver

Our Membership

  • 4-H Youth Members – 222
  • Adult Volunteers – 53
  • Clubs –7

2025 Switzerland County 4-H Fair

This year our 4-H Fair was welcomed with an excellent turnout for all of our shows. The exhibit hall was filled with awesome projects. A big thanks goes out to the dedicated community of volunteers who made our fair a huge success. A summary is included below of the projects that were displayed this year at our fair and at the Indiana State Fair.

Project Entries

  • Animal Entries – 530
  • Exhibit Hall Entries – 405
  • State Fair Entries – 75

Livestock Auction Data

  • $305,800 directly to local youth
  • 171 entries sold by local youth
  • 91 different buyers
  • 61 local businesses, organizations & individuals purchased entries.

4-H Camp

In June 2025, Switzerland County youth attended the Southeastern Indiana 4‑H Camp, a five‑day, multi‑county residential experience serving 291 youth. Camp programming incorporated 4‑H STEM, healthy living, leadership, and fine arts, providing a diverse mix of hands‑on learning opportunities.

A major highlight of the year was the introduction of the first‑ever Discover & Innovation STEM Lab, which was a strong success. Campers engaged with 3D printers, Sphero BOLTs, Dobot robotic arms, and Indi Cars, expanding access to advanced robotics, engineering design, and coding technologies. This addition significantly enhanced the camp’s educational value and increased STEM engagement across all grade levels.

Switzerland County educators contributed to both instruction and camp operations as part of the multi‑county staff team, helping deliver 1,450 learner‑minutes of camp programming across STEM, leadership, and enrichment sessions.

Participants

  • Junior Directors – 3
  • Counselors – 12
  • Counselors In Training – 6
  • Campers – 29
  • Mini Day Camp—15

Mini 4-H

On June 18, 2025, Purdue Extension delivered the Mini 4‑H Day Camp to 13 Switzerland County youth, offering 300 minutes of immersive hands‑on activities in civic engagement, leadership, and STEM. The camp introduced young participants to the 4‑H experience through age‑appropriate learning, teamwork, and exploration, planting early seeds of confidence and curiosity that support future 4‑H enrollment and long‑term participation.

6th Grade Day Camp

In May 2025, Purdue Extension delivered a high‑engagement 6th Grade Day Camp Snap Circuits experience serving 100 Switzerland County youth across 6 hands‑on sessions. Over 360 minutes of engineering‑based instruction, students explored electricity, built functioning circuits, and strengthened STEM competencies aligned with Indiana science standards and 4‑H STEM advancement pathways.

6th Grade Walking Field Trip-STEM Lab

On May 16, 2025, the 6th Grade Walking Field Trip brought 23 Switzerland County youth into the STEM Lab for 45 minutes of high‑engagement robotics and coding exploration. Using Dobots robotic arms, Sphero BOLTs, and Indi Cars, students practiced hands‑on engineering, navigational programming, and problem‑solving. This short-format field trip reinforced middle‑school STEM standards while strengthening confidence and interest in technology pathways.

     

Ag Day

On September 26, 2025, the Purdue Extension team delivered 3rd Grade Ag Day to 120 students in Switzerland County through a full‑morning agricultural learning experience supported by the Soil & Water Conservation District as co‑educators. Across 180 minutes of instruction, students explored agriculture, livestock, and natural resource conservation, building foundational awareness of how food systems and environmental stewardship intersect in their community.

Junior Leaders

The Junior Leader program was revitalized in 2025 after several dormant years, re‑establishing a consistent youth leadership presence in Switzerland County. The group met weekly during middle and high school homeroom, allowing steady participation and relationship‑building.

Early in the year, members selected sports and being active as their shared program theme. Guided by this focus, Junior Leaders provided a kid‑friendly obstacle course at the Switzerland County Health Department’s Health Fair, promoting physical activity and using the event as a recruitment opportunity. They also served as peer leaders for Mini 4‑H Day, helping guide young participants through activities and presentations.

To celebrate a successful return and year of service, the club chose a year‑end accomplishment trip to Holiday World, reinforcing positive youth development, team bonding, and program pride.

Switzerland County Middle School Leadership Project

In 2025, Purdue Extension delivered two SCMS Leadership Project Days, reaching 83 middle‑school youth across 480 minutes of in‑school leadership development. Through hands‑on challenges, communication tasks, and group learning, students strengthened leadership competencies foundational to 4‑H’s Positive Youth Development model. This partnership with Switzerland County Middle School remains a core component of the county’s youth leadership pipeline.

STEM Days 

In 2025, Purdue Extension delivered four major school‑wide STEM Day experiences across Switzerland County’s elementary schools, reaching a total of 475 youth. Students engaged with Sphero BOLTs, Indi Cars, and binary/directional coding, developing foundational engineering, robotics, and computational‑thinking skills. Across 750 minutes of instruction, STEM Days provided large‑scale, hands‑on learning that supported K–6 readiness for digital technologies and future STEM pathways. 

  

Design & Innovation Studio

In 2025, beyond large STEM Days and grade‑level camps, Switzerland County delivered two additional STEM programs—a 4‑H Club STEM Lab (15 youth) and a 3D STEM SPARK intensive (5 youth). Across 405 minutes of instruction, youth practiced robotics/coding and 3D design/printing; the SPARK session documented measurable learning gains in knowledge, confidence, and skills.

         

Marshall Mentor Program Series

This peer to peer mentoring program is centered around the cornerstone traits of empathy, strength, courage and perseverance, kindness, and forgiveness. I collaborate with the Key Club at SCHS. I provide mentor training on the cornerstones of the program and the high school mentors deliver the sessions to elementary and middle school students. 12 total sessions were held at Switzerland County Elementary, and Jeff Craig Elementary.

10th Grade Leadership Series

This intensive leadership program is designed for sophomores to develop and engage their leadership skill set, civic engagement, team building, and volunteerism. 20 students participated in the program. They received instruction in team building, volunteering basics, leadership, and government operations. The program culminates with a community service project.

After School Program Series

The Extension Educators in collaboration with the Switzerland County School Corporation developed and taught lessons to the children participating in the after school program.

Our After the Bell program delivered 19 in‑person, 30‑minute sessions at SCES & JCES, engaging 416 youth across hands‑on STEM, natural resources, agriculture literacy, and healthy‑living topics in 2025. 
Typical group size was ~22 youth per session, with most sessions embedded on school sites and listed as PK–12 arrangements. Topic variety ranged from Nature of Teaching (hiking & habitats) to STEM (static electricity/simple machines) and agriculture & food systems (maple syrup, food waste).
  • Documented ATB entries: 19 sessions during January–December 2025 (Switzerland County Elementary School and Jefferson‑Craig Elementary School).
  • Total youth contacts: 416 (duplicated across sessions; i.e., a student attending multiple sessions is counted each time).
  • Average youth per session: ~22 (416 ÷ 19).
  • Delivery method: In person for every ATB entry.
  • Session length: Most ATB lessons are 30 minutes.
  • Community partners: Switzerland County School Corporation 

 

2025 4-H & Youth Program Volunteers

  • Jenny Abbott
  • Amanda Alford
  • Jake Allard
  • Sara Anderson
  • Joshua Archer
  • Kaleesa Archer
  • Edie Butcher
  • Thomas Carper
  • Kathryn Collier
  • Eric Dalrymple
  • Allen Detmer
  • Michelle Detmer
  • Bing Dickerson
  • Diana Edlin
  • Myra Fields
  • Cheryl Furnish
  • Rob Furnish
  • Stephanie Furnish
  • Scott Griffin
  • Caleb Hall
  • Megan Hall
  • Angie Hartwell
  • Chad Higgins
  • Crystal Higgins
  • Steve Higgins
  • Kathy Hunt
  • Melissa James
  • Brian Johns
  • Steve Lyons
  • Kodi McAlister
  • Keli Miller
  • Travis Miller
  • Brittany Perkins
  • Jill Peters
  • Laney Proffet
  • Kelly Purvis
  • Gary Reynolds
  • Quentin Reynolds
  • Tina Reynolds
  • Matt Rhine
  • Tonya Rhine
  • Kyle Riley
  • Rebecca Rohrbach
  • Sandra Scudder
  • BJ Shelton
  • Brad Stewart
  • Shalon Stewart
  • Korah Taylor
  • Andi Wainscott
  • Phyllis Weaver
  • Ashley Wehner
  • Shannon White
  • Cameron Works

Agriculture & Natural Resources

ANR - Kyle Weaver

Educational Resources and Consultations

I serve as a trusted resource for community members seeking educational resources for Agriculture in Switzerland County. I provide educational resources in the areas of plants, insects, trees, succession planning, field crops, ponds, gardens, and agriculture business.  

Jefferson/Switzerland County Master Gardener Class and Association 

The Master Gardner class is an intensive 14 week course that includes the following topics: fruits, herbaceous ornamentals, animal pests, invasive species, lawn care, plant disease and diagnosis,  insect ID and control, pesticides, vegetable gardening, weed ID and control, woody ornamentals, plant science, soil science, and orientation. Switzerland County residents are able to network and learn from agricultural professionals and enhance their gardening skills. 

Jefferson/Switzerland County Tobacco Update and GAP Training

The annual tobacco update and GAP training was attended by 21 growers from our two counties and across Indiana. This program is the only tobacco GAP program held in the state. Topics included: tobacco varieties, disease management, markets, labor laws and regulations, working conditions, and record keeping. 

Additional ANR Programming

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources Programming
  • SEPAC Field Day
  • Center for Commercial Agriculture Roadmap Activity Podcast
  • Roots of the Future, A Succession Planning Program for Sustainable Land Stewardship
  • Flexible Lease Workshop
  • Switzerland County Conservation Breakfast
  • Invasive Species Workshop
  • Southeastern Indiana Vegetable Growers PARP
  • Switzerland County 4th Grade Ag Day
  • Wreath Making Workshop

 

Health & Human Services

Hailey Dornbusch

HHS OVerview

Across 2025, Health & Human Sciences (HHS) programming reached community members through a diverse set of direct‑education offerings, including nutrition classes, financial literacy instruction, workforce readiness programming, food safety certification, after-school enrichment, and adult development workshops. A total of 21 HHS‑themed program events were delivered during the year, collectively accounting for 68 instructional sessions and 2,295 minutes of education. These programs generated 1,362 total contacts, composed of 172 adult contacts and 1,190 youth contacts, along with 176 reported unique adults and 550 reported unique youth across all HHS events.

The HHS portfolio spanned multiple counties, with Switzerland County contributing the largest share of programs and attendance. Bartholomew and Jennings counties each contributed additional adult‑focused engagements through Homemaker education and ServSafe Manager certification, respectively.

These programs align strongly with statewide Extension goals around nutrition security, public health, financial capability, life‑skills education, certification and workforce preparation, and youth leadership development. The pattern of programming demonstrates both sustained community partnerships and responsive delivery tailored to school, after-school, and adult learning environments.

Food Is Medicine 

The Food Is Medicine series delivered five high‑impact adult nutrition and health education lessons across the year. Lesson topics included defining health and wellness, macro‑ and micronutrients, calorie balance, grocery shopping on a budget, and food safety and sanitation. Collectively, these events provided 5 instructional sessions, totaling 450 minutes, reaching 39 adult contacts with 39 unique adults. Programs consistently emphasized healthier living, cooking demonstrations, pantry resource utilization, and strategies to support community well-being.

Adulting 101

Adulting 101 had a strong footprint in both middle and high school settings and with Junior Leaders. Across 5 events, the program delivered 16 sessions and 420 minutes of instruction, reaching 445 youth contacts and 1 adult contact, with 5 unique adults and 345 unique youth reported. Topics included personal development, financial literacy, career awareness, life management skills, and youth–adult partnerships. These sessions support adolescent readiness for real‑world decision‑making and independent living.

 Captain Cash 

Captain Cash remained a highly attended and impactful youth financial literacy program. Across 4 events, the program delivered 16 sessions, totaling 675 minutes, and reached 680 youth contacts with 165 unique youth. Lessons focused on earning, saving, borrowing, and spending concepts, building foundational financial capability among elementary‑age youth.

After the Bell (HHS‑linked sessions)

Three After the Bell sessions were categorized as HHS‑related due to their themes (food waste reduction, nature and wellness exploration, and health/environmental literacy). These events combined for 27 learner sessions and 90 total minutes of instruction, with 65 youth contacts and 40 unique youth. These programs leveraged after-school environments to reinforce health, environmental awareness, and youth engagement.

Homemakers – Nutrition Education

Adult Homemaker-focused educational programming delivered 60 minutes of instruction, resulting in 58 adult contacts. Content featured nutrition education, local food history, and experiential “Big Apple Crunch” activities that promoted sensory engagement and community wellness.

ServSafe Manager Certification

The ServSafe Manager course provided workforce‑relevant food safety certification for adult participants. The single event delivered 480 minutes of instruction to 4 adult contacts, all of whom earned certifications. This program directly advances workforce skills and food‑service safety standards across the county.

 

Extension Leadership Committees & Organizations

Committees, Boards, & Advisories

2025 Switzerland County Extension Board

  • Vickie Althoff
  • Donita Cole
  • Trey Gray
  • Kelly Hopper
  • Kelly Purvis
  • Scott Reed
  • TJ Richards
  • Shalon Stewart
  • Debbie Turner
  • Amanda Works

2025 Switzerland County 4-H Fair Board

Membership is staggered on this committee. Seven members are elected each year at the  Annual Fair Board Meeting in October for a three year term. 

  • Jenny Abbott
  • Amanda Alford, Secy.
  • Joshua Archer, Pres.
  • Thomas Carper
  • Katie Collier
  • Eric Dalrymple
  • Myra Fields
  • Scott Griffin
  • Angie Hartwell
  • Melissa James
  • Kodi McAlister
  • Keli Miller, Vice Pres.
  • Travis Miller
  • Brittany Perkins, Tres.
  • Jill Peters
  • Natasha Richards
  • TJ Richards
  • Kyle Riley
  • Rebecca Rohrbach
  • BJ Shelton
  • Shannon White

Agriculture & Natural Resources Advisory Committee

  • Alec McAlpine
  • Amanda Alford
  • Amanda Cole
  • Amanda Kitts
  • Anna Tolbert
  • Ashley Kitts
  • Brian Graham
  • Brain Morton
  • Casie Jesop
  • David Todd
  • Heather Peelman
  • Jason Cheek
  • Jill Peters
  • Joyce Druba
  • Kayla English
  • Mark Boggs
  • Myra Fields
  • Natalie Williams
  • Sarach Brichto
  • Shannon White
  • Tony Spoores
  • Ty Sullivan
  • Wren Keyes

4-H Youth Expansion & Review Committee

Five high school age youth also serve on the committee.

  • Mark Boggs
  • Sara Brichto
  • Jason Cheek
  • Michelle Howard
  • Melissa James
  • Casie Jesop
  • Amanda Kitts
  • Ashley Kitts
  • David Todd
  • Tony Spoores
  • Shannon White

2025 - 2026 Extension Homemaker’s Council

President: Debbie Turner

Vice President: Dawn Naylor

Secretary: Samantha Minch

Treasurer: Shannon Phipps

Membership/Public Relations: Debbie Turner

Cultural Arts: Melissa Park

Community Support: 

Club Presidents:  Brenda Hockman, Sylvia Byars,

     Susan Hale, Debbie Turner,

     Kelly Hopper

     Debbie Turner

Health and Human Sciences Advisory Committee

  • Cathy Wilkymacky
  • Angela Splain
  • Debbie Turner
  • Kacie Harris
  • Kathy Slawson
  • Kayla English
  • Kelly Hopper
  • Kimberly Henry
  • Melissa Park
  • Ryan Everman
  • Samantha Minch
  • Tony Stegemiller