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Purdue Extension updates: Food as Medicine course, chicken embryology outreach, and fair schedule
Summary
Purdue Extension educators reported completion of a second Food as Medicine eight‑week course funded by Health First Indiana, wide delivery of chicken embryology sessions, and a schedule of 4‑H pre‑fair events leading to the fair July 7–11.
Purdue Extension staff updated the Howard County commissioners on recent programs, outreach and fair scheduling.
Allison, the county Purdue Extension health and human sciences educator, said the second round of an eight‑week Food as Medicine program—focused on diabetes education, cooking and healthy practices—concluded with 15 completers and funding from the Health First Indiana grant in partnership with the county health department, Minority Health Alliance and the Food Access Alliance. She said a third round is planned for the fall.
Mathias, the natural resources educator, reported 30 chicken embryology sessions this spring delivered across schools, the Kokomo Public Library and a home childcare, noting incubators were used at multiple sites.
Jody Schmidt, the 4‑H educator, said the county currently serves roughly 604 youth in 4‑H programs (grades K–2 listed separately in transcript) and that nearly 100 adult volunteers support activities. Schmidt listed pre‑fair events starting as early as Tuesday, June 9 — including mini 4‑H horse and pony shows, bicycle rodeos, and animal shows — and said the county fair runs July 7–11 with judging the prior week.
Why it matters: Extension programming provided nutrition education tied to chronic disease prevention, STEM‑style hands‑on learning for children, and a wide set of 4‑H activities that engage youth and volunteers countywide. The extension staff thanked the commissioners for approving office updates including new carpeting and painting.
Details: Allison reported 15 participants completed the Food as Medicine course; Mathias listed locations for incubator sessions at Eastern, Western, Taylor, Kokomo Center Schools and the downtown Kokomo Public Library; Schmidt said the fair includes nearly 80 project categories and 22 seniors in 4‑H this year. Commissioners invited staff to share schedules and welcomed community attendance at fair events.
