Purdue Extension’s local footprint continues to grow, according to Amy Webster, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator and County Director for Purdue Extension in both Clinton and Carroll counties. Speaking during WILO’s Ag Day 2026 broadcast, Webster shared updates on major extension programs, technological advances, and a renewed push toward community education and food security.
“We hate to say it, but sometimes extension is one of the best-kept secrets,” Webster said. “People forget about us until they need us, and then they realize how much we can help.”
Expanding Agricultural Education
Webster said training and certification remain key roles for Purdue Extension. Over the past year, the two-county program helped more than 400 people complete classes to maintain or earn pesticide applicator licenses. Those programs—often held in partnership with local agribusinesses—are continuing into 2026.
“We’ve had great partnerships with groups like Drago for workshops,” Webster explained. “This year our implement dealers and co-ops have really jumped on board. We’ve already held four programs since January.”
Extension’s outreach also includes virtual and hybrid education. Programs such as “Fruitful Fridays” and the “Grain Marketing Navigator Series” have drawn interest from growers of all backgrounds. Online tools now allow participants to interact with university experts without leaving the county.
“We fired up the watch party for our fruit production class and could ask live questions just like we were in the same room,” Webster said. “Technology has changed how we reach people—it’s been a huge advantage.”
Growing Food Literacy and Local Resilience: “You can grow a garden in a bucket”
Beyond traditional ag education, Webster said Purdue Extension is focusing more on home horticulture and urban gardening as tools to address food insecurity.
“People think they need a big patch of land to garden,” Webster said. “But you can grow food in a five-gallon bucket if you’ve got some sun. We’re teaching folks to start small and make it doable.”
Clinton and Carroll county extension offices are exploring collaborations with food pantries like the one in Michigantown to introduce educational programs and encourage fresh produce donations.
Webster said the Master Gardener program, last offered locally nearly a decade ago, could return soon as part of that effort. Extension is also considering new partnerships that link 4-H youth, family health programs, and food education.
Connecting Agriculture, Health, and Community
Webster emphasized that “agriculture touches everything,” from vehicle materials derived from soybeans to corn-based packaging products. That theme will be part of her presentation to fourth graders during Carroll County’s Ag Day demonstrations on poultry and byproducts.
Extension’s *Food as Medicine* series, led by Health and Human Sciences Educator Karen Jenkins, is another example of outreach that combines nutrition, wellness, and agriculture. The 12-week course shows how diet can lower A1C and improve overall health.
“It’s all connected—agriculture, youth, health,” Webster said. “We’re here to help people find the resources they need to live better and build stronger communities.”
Local residents can learn more about upcoming programs by visiting extension.purdue.edu/Clinton or extension.purdue.edu/Carroll, or by following the counties’ Purdue Extension and 4-H pages on Facebook. Both county offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations in Flora and Frankfort.
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Melissa Miller and Adam Shanks interviewed leaders in Indiana Agriculture on WILO and Hoosierland TV from 9:30 AM to 2 PM March 18, 2026.
Skiles Electric presented Ag Day 2026 with support from Wampler’s Services Inc., The Farmers Bank, The Community Foundation, Rossville Consolidated School, and First Farmers Bank and Trust.
Broadcast on Hoosierland TV was produced by Michael Hall. Broadcast on WILO 96.9, Boone 102.7 FM and WILO 1570 was produced by Dacen Brittain.
