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A Note from the Educator:
A Note from the Educator:
Hi there!
I'm glad you found our news update page for Ag & Natural Resources and Health & Human Sciences Extension Education in Miami County. If you ever have questions, or are interested in any of the programming we offer, feel free to reach out to me at schmi163@purdue.edu.
Thank you!
Courtney Schmidt
County Extension Director, Ag & Natural Resources/Health & Human Sciences Educator
Miami County Purdue Extension Happenings
Miami County Purdue Extension Happenings
Grain Market Navigator-Online Workshop
Grain Market Navigator-Online Workshop
Navigate grain markets with confidence! Designed to empower Indiana farmers, Grain Market Navigator is a four-session Extension series that provides the knowledge and tools needed to confidently navigate grain markets - especially during uncertain economic times.
February 17th - Session 1 breaks down grain marketing terminology, explains basis, and compares cash vs. futures markets.
February 24th - Session 2 dives into grain contracts, using real-world examples to show how they work and what to consider.
March 3rd - Session 3 features a market outlook presentation to help producers understand current trends and future projections.
March 10th - Session 4 wraps up with a dynamic panel discussion featuring grain buyers who will share insight, answer questions, and offer practical advice.
This series also fosters community engagement and resilience by connecting farmers with
experts and peers to strengthen decision-making and market strategies.
Dates: Weekly on Tuesdays starting February 17th through March 10th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm EST / 5:30pm – 7:30pm CST
Where: In-Person at 12 counties around the state or virtual!
Register by February 12th, 2026
In-Person Fee: $40
Virtual Fee: $55
Animal Science Professional Development Day
History of Barn Quilts
Field Meals Educator Crew
Field Meals Workshop Johnson County
Teaching Science of Field Meals
Indiana Pork regional meeting dates and locations announced
Indiana Pork regional meeting dates and locations announced
Jeanette Merritt, Director of Communications
jmerritt@inpork.org
317-872-7500
Beginning in late-February, Indiana Pork will host a series of regional meetings throughout the state for pork producers. During the meeting, Indiana Pork staff will update attendees on activities of the association as well as local, state, and federal legislative issues. Extended discussion will take place on composting and there will be ample time for questions and answers.
A meal is included. RSVP's are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
February 24 - 11:30am-1:30pm, Beef 'O'Brady's, Peru
February 25 - 10am-12pm, Town Square & Community Center, Winchester
March 9 - 6-8pm, Tree City Brewing, Greensburg
RSVP by visiting www.indianapork.org.
Indiana Hort and Small Farm Conference
Indiana Hort and Small Farm Conference
Registration is now open for the 2026 Indiana Horticulture Conference and Small Farm Conference (IHSFC)—we hope you will join us!
The IHSFC will take place March 3–5 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Center. This newly combined conference brings together the Indiana Horticulture Conference and the Indiana Small Farm Conference. Attendees can expect the same high-quality, timely content found at those conferences in past years, along with opportunities to learn, connect, enjoy local food, and engage with a wide range of agricultural organizations and commercial vendors through an expanded trade expo.
Program Overview
Day 1 – Tuesday (3/3):
Sessions will cover business practices, resilient agriculture, food safety, fruit, labor, flowers, and vegetables. A Cider Contest will also take place. CCA, CCH and PARP credits will be available.
Day 2 – Wednesday (3/4):
Topics include livestock, urban agriculture, flower production, business practices, food safety, fruit, and niche opportunities. The keynote presentation will be delivered by Marty Travis https://spence-farm.com/
Day 3 – Thursday (3/5):
Sessions will focus on business practices, flowers, vegetables, livestock, urban agriculture, and more. A facilitated networking luncheon will be held where you can meet with other farmers to discuss opportunities and challenges you're facing on your operation.
The full conference schedule can be viewed here:
https://indianahortconference.org/schedule-2026/
Trade Expo & Networking
The trade expo will be open all three days. Additional networking opportunities will be available Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and evenings, including a poster session highlighting research efforts and on-farm innovation.
Registration Details
Register here:
https://puext.in/IHSFC26
Registration fees are as follows:
· 3-day registration: $240
· 2-day registration: $160
· 1-day registration: $85
Registration includes lunches, breaks, and Tuesday and Wednesday evening networking socials.
Online registration will remain open through February 24 at 12:00 PM. On-site registration will be available during the conference; however, meals and snacks will not be included.
Interested in participating in our trade show or sponsoring the conference? Find more information here https://indianahortconference.org/ or email ljollybr@purdue.edu
Panelist at Farm Shield Conference
Food Demo at Steps to a Healthy You
Extension Educators Courtney Schmidt, Jenna Nees, Shalee Bradley
Are you interested in having a Canning/Food Preservation Workshop in Miami County? Let us know!!
Are you interested in having a Canning/Food Preservation Workshop in Miami County? Let us know!!
Steps to a Healthy You with
HHS Educator Jess Riffle
NEPA Rachel's Birthday
Educators Jess Riffle, Court Schmidt, and Shalee Bradley
Purdue Extension Statewide ANR Educators
Presenting at Farm Shield Conference with Specialist Renee Wiatt
Spotted Lantern Fly ID in Peru
Where Does Your Money Go? programming at Miami County Probation
Purdue Extension – Miami County Launches “Steps to a Healthy You,” a Mediterranean Lifestyle Program for Chronic Disease Support
Purdue Extension – Miami County Launches “Steps to a Healthy You,” a Mediterranean Lifestyle Program for Chronic Disease Support
Peru, IN — Purdue Extension – Miami County is pleased to announce the launch of Steps to a Healthy You, a four‑week program designed to help individuals living with chronic conditions improve their health through Mediterranean-style eating and increased physical activity.
This program is made possible through funding provided by the Miami County Health Department’s Health First Indiana Grant, which supports community initiatives promoting long‑term health and well‑being.
The program will be held on Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Miami County 4‑H Fairgrounds, 1029 W 200 N, Peru, IN.
Participants will:
Learn practical, Mediterranean-style cooking strategies
Receive a weekly $30 take‑home food box with ingredients to replicate the weekly recipe
Be enrolled in Get Walk ’IN, an email-based program designed to encourage daily walking and support physical activity habits
Benefit from instruction by two Purdue Extension Educators, including a registered dietitian
“Thanks to Health First Indiana funding, we’re able to provide hands-on education and resources that support long-term lifestyle change,” said Courtney Schmidt, Purdue Extension Educator. “This program is designed to make healthy eating approachable and enjoyable.”
Registration is required, and space is limited.
For more information or to register, contact:
Purdue Extension – Miami County
Email: schmi163@purdue.edu
Phone: 765‑472‑1921
Purdue Extension offers virtual workshop series to assist families with farm succession
Purdue Extension offers virtual workshop series to assist families with farm succession
The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team is hosting the virtual workshop, “Securing the Future: Legal Audits for Farm Families and Agricultural Success,” over the next several months. This virtual program series is offered at no cost to participants. The team has built sessions to support farm families as they prepare for legal aspects of transition planning and create a smoother, more successful transition for the next generation.
“Many families are in the midst of preparations for farm business transition,” said Ed Farris, Purdue Extension Educator in Huntington Co., who is a member of the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team. “This program is designed to help families cover their bases as they seek legal advice.”
The series will be held from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. CST) for eight evenings. Presentations from Purdue Extension Educators and Specialists along with Scott Linneweber, Shareholder Attorney, Eagle & Fein, P.C. will be offered as follows:
· March 2 - Organizing the Farm & Family History & Timeline of the Family Farm
· March 9 – Difficult Conversations
· June 22 – Contingency Planning/Code Red
· June 29 – Operating & Buy-Sell Agreements
· July 13 – Personal Estate Planning
· August 12 – Planning for Incapacity
· August 24 – Management Transfer/Professionalizing the Family Business
· August 31 – Land Leases/Tenant Relationships
Participants can register for the program series at https://bit.ly/securingthefuture2026
This work is supported by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, project award no.2024-70027-42470, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National
Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Equal Opportunity Statement: Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: If you are in need of accommodations to attend a program, please contact Courtney Schmidt prior to the meeting at 765-472-1921 or schmi163@purdue.edu
For special dietary needs contact Courtney Schmidt at 765-472-1921 or schmi163@purdue.edu.
Language Access Statement: If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Courtney Schmidt prior to the meeting at 765-472-1921 or schmi163@purdue.edu.
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