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Purdue Extension trims contract line after statewide reorganization; local 4‑H participation rose
Summary
Purdue Extension reported a $70,000 drop in contract funding after the statewide elimination of a community development position; local extension staff moved some funds into mileage and conference accounts and described rising 4‑H enrollment and school outreach.
Christy Jacob, county extension director for Purdue Extension, told the budget committee that Purdue recently eliminated a statewide community development position, reducing the county’s contractual services allocation from roughly $248,000 to $178,000. Jacob said the agency is reorganizing into regional "county pods" where single educators will cover ag, 4‑H and community development duties across several counties, and that more complete details are expected from Purdue in October.
To manage the cut, Jacob said staff reallocated roughly 10% of the local extension budget into mileage and professional development lines because training and travel costs for educators had been tight in prior years. She added the office had a strong year for 4‑H enrollment — a roughly 5% increase — and expanded school‑based STEM and healthy living programs, reaching dozens of third‑ and fourth‑grade classrooms and after‑school partners.
Emily Brown, a 4‑H educator, described in‑school catapult STEM activities, coding lessons, an electronic egg drop and monthly nutrition programming at three local elementary schools. Jacob and Brown credited strong county support and volunteer engagement for higher fair and exhibition participation and said staff will try to sustain summer camp and outreach work despite reduced contractual funding.
Ending: Extension leaders said they would provide any follow‑up details requested by the council and asked the committee to note the statewide reorganization when reviewing next year’s allocations.
