"I am thankful to get to teach people in person, and also create an online class for those who can’t attend classes in person." ~ Gina Anderson
"I am thankful for every opportunity we have to collaborate with each other & our partner organizations to promote positive change in communities throughout Indiana." ~ Cindy Barber
"This year I am thankful for new opportunities, lasting friendships, and renewed hope." ~ Cheri Brown
"I’m thankful for things that are new. New jobs, new adventures, new opportunities, meeting new people,…" ~ Dallas Evans
"I am thankful for all the new exciting program and projects that are coming to both Michigan City and LaPorte and all the colleagues in Community Development." ~ Mary Foell
"I am thankful for a wonderful daughter, Raina, who has weathered some pretty devastating storms right by my side. Also, after less than two months with Purdue Extension; I am grateful for a job, staff and coworkers who are a fantastic group and make coming to work a pleasure!" ~ Rita Jacque Gillis
"I am thankful for family, friends, and compassionate co-workers." ~ Bill Horan
"I am so thankful for this amazing team of CD Educators! I am grateful for their knowledge and expertise, their ongoing support, and their ability to be creative and spin on a dime when necessary. We not only adapted to new delivery systems, but flourished. I must also thank my not-so-little colony of feral cats who kept me entertained while working from home." ~ Patty Keating
"I am thankful for my Jesus, family, friends, and co-workers. I’m thankful for my job and the future." ~ Annette Lawler
"I’m thankful for my super supportive colleagues. They aren’t just co-workers, but dear friends." ~ Tamara Ogle
"I am thankful to work for an organization that is willing to grow and change and lead through difficult times, even if it’s messy." ~ Kris Parker
"I am thankful that I am able to work for a system that is supportive and allows me teach and learn from others. I am also thankful for turkey and pumpkin pie!" ~ Jeff Pell
"I am thankful for...the camaraderie, innovation, and inspiration of the CD team. This team has been a bright spot of support in a challenging time." ~ Kara Salazar
"Reflecting on the past year, the lenses it presented provided an additional layer of gratitude, appreciation, and love for life. Enjoying all we have!" ~ Heather Strohm
“I am thankful for colleagues, friends and family and the fact that Extension supports our efforts to balance these all…..” ~ Lupe Valtierra
"I’m thankful for colleagues and coworkers that continue to make huge impacts in our community and inspire me every day! I’m thankful for my family and our health and that we will all be together for the holidays! I’m thankful for science, perseverance, holiday music, coffee, sushi, and cats!" ~ Kristi Whitacre
"This year I am thankful for lifelong learning. ~ Michael Wilcox
“I am thankful for the people who put up with me and keep me sane in a world that has been topsy-turvy for too long.” ~ Elisa Worland
"Thankful for good health, great colleagues and impactful programming!" ~ Steve Yoder
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Facilitative Leadership Training ~ Save the date
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 June 27-29, 2022
The three-day workshop will take place at The Seasons Lodge in southeast Indiana. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. on Day 1 and ends by 3:00 p.m. on Day 3. There are evening sessions on both the first and second days. The course also includes an introductory webinar.
If you would like to be notified when registration opens please contact Kym Schwinkendorf.
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Take Time to Celebrate! Don't Overlook this Motivating Step in Board Development
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~by Steve Yoder, Community Development Regional Educator, Purdue Extension
Over the past two months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a non-profit organization’s board of directors from the Caribbean Island of Tobago. My assignment, arranged via Zoom through Purdue’s Farmer-to-Farmer program, matched me with the Tobago Agricultural Society. Its board was interested in improving its effectiveness through a series of trainings that focused on communication, structure, and understanding the needs of stakeholders. Over the course of five sessions, the board and I covered those topics, and more, as we walked through the nine steps of the board development cycle.
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Rural Development Innovation Center
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The USDA Rural Development Innovation Center boasts three divisions–Data Analytics, Partnerships, and Regulations Management–that work together to identify best practices for the prosperity of rural communities and provide its rural customers with innovative products and services.
Keep up to date with The Center's products and program information, like the one featured below, by subscribing to the Innovation Matters Digital Newsletter.
ReConnect Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development recently announced that it will begin accepting applications on November 24, 2021, for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. $350 million in grant funding - with no matching funds requirement - is being made available for Tribal governments and socially vulnerable communities
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Beginners Guide to Grant Writing
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January 25 and February 22, 2022 - Wells County
The two-day, in-person Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing program is a great skill builder for the beginner to intermediate grant writer. Whatever your skill level, come with an idea and be ready to write. At the end of Day One, you will have a proposal outline and all of the resources you need to expand your outline into a full proposal.
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Business Retention and Expansion
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~by Heather Strohm, Regional Educator in Community Development, Purdue Extension
America is scattered with small companies, and they compose the culture that defines our communities. A business retention and expansion program is designed to ensure the sustainability of businesses within particular communities and regions. Business Retention and Expansion, BR&E, programs are meant to stimulate the economy through data-led, decision-making models and interventions.
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What Three Forecasts Say About Our Economic Future
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~by Dr. Larry DeBoer
September 22, 2021
Where is our economy going? Let’s ask some folks whose job it is to forecast the future of the U.S. economy. How about looking at three forecasts – one from government economists, one from academic economists, and one from business economists.
The Congressional Budget Office updated its economic forecast in July. The CBO is responsible for projecting federal revenues and costs for Congress, and the CBO needs a picture of the future of the economy to do that. If these folks are wrong, it has consequences for national policy.
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Local Government Leadership: Running for Elected Office
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Purdue Extension LaPorte County collaborated with the LaPorte County Clerk’s office, Better Government Study Group, League of Women Voters, and the political parties to present the “Running for Public Office” workshop on October 26, 2021. 45 community members attended the session, held at the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte. Participants learned about the election process and the required forms for candidacy filing from County Clerk Heather Stevens, campaign ethics facilitated by Lupe Valtierra, Community Development Educator, and a panel during the two-hour workshop.
A panel discussion facilitated by Mary Foell, Community Development Extension Educator, during the workshop also addressed questions ranging from important things a candidate should do to what makes a successful campaign. One participant remarked that “The most valuable part from the program were the shared experiences from the panel and encourage from the panel regarding representing voters and long-term impacts of decisions.” Over 90% of the participants filling out the evaluation survey found this program valuable for their professional growth and development.
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IISG and Purdue publications series addresses effects of climate change in Indiana
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In the face of climate change, scientific literacy among people in all professions is critical to a resilient community. To help make information accessible, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) specialists Kara Salazar and Leslie Doworth have teamed up with Melissa Widhalm—formerly of Purdue Climate Change Research Center, currently with the Midwestern Regional Climate Center—to author a series of publications about climate change in Indiana. The team drew on their backgrounds in community planning, water quality and climate change, respectively, to consolidate important information about the local effects of climate change and how to address them.
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Insights into the latest technologies and their impacts on communities.
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November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
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Release Number CB21-FF.08
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994 to recognize what is now called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” This Facts for Features presents statistics for American Indians and Alaska Natives, one of the six major race categories defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
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Reminders and alerts for Purdue Extension CD educators.
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Welcome Dallas Evans ~ Extension Educator, Marion County
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Dallas Evans is a native Hoosier and was raised in the small town of Grabill, Indiana. He went on to study at Ball State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Geology. While attending graduate school, majoring in Archaeology, Dallas accepted an opportunity to work for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as a natural history curator and STEM educator.
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2022 EDEN Annual Meeting Presentation Call-out
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With the end of 2021 in sight, the Extension Disaster Education Network is planning. For the future. The 2022 EDEN Annual Meeting will be hosted by Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 28th Annual Meeting with take place in September and will provide opportunities for attendees to share their programs, research and ideas for education, response, and outreach.
EDEN is officially accepting proposals and poster presentations to be offered at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The proposals and posters can consist of research and applied research both, and can cover any branch of Extension, including Community Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Youth Development. Presentations should typically last approximately 45 minutes long. The submission form for proposals will be available on the EDEN website in March 2022.
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