Welcome to Purdue Extension  Porter County

We are part of one of the nations' largest providers of research-based information and education.  Ours is a network of historic land grant colleges and universities working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to serve communities across America. 

We are here to provide Porter County citizens with unbiased scientific information tailored to our specific local needs.  Our program areas are: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Human Sciences,  Economic and Community Development, and 4-H Youth Development. 

Agriculture and Natural Resources: Programs serve famers and homeowners.  Traditional agriculture is served through private pesticide applicator recertification programs (PARP) and through workshops on topics such as integrated pest management, horticulture, agronomy and animal science.  Homeowners can enroll in the Master Gardeners program and learn about home lawns and gardens, trees and landscape plants and pest indentification and control. 

Health and Human Sciences: Programs provide people with the information they can use to make smart decisions.  It encompasses human development, family relationships, family resource management, nutrition and healthy living.  The Family Nutrition Program assistants work with limited income families and individuals to improve nutirtion while maximizing food dollars.  The Porter County Extension Homemakers offer a variety of activities and programs on issues which affect home and family.

Economic and Community Development: Encompasses economic development, government financing and community improvement.  Programs and workships in business planning, strategic development, marketing, fundraising and grant writing are designed  to help governments, bussinesses and nonprofits increase community vitality, build leadership capacity, enhance public decision making, and resolve public issues.

4-H: Fosters life skills development through hands-on learning opportunities for youth.  Caring colunteers contribute to positive youth development.  Youth in grades K-2 can be involved in Exploring 4-H, while youth in grades 3-12 may be involved in the traditional 4-H program.  A wide range of project choices are available that appeal to urban and rural youth.  Junior leaders are 4-H members ion grades 7-12 that develop leadership through service learning.  Teachers may take advantage of  school enrichment program options available for use in the classroom.