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SWCD plans joint annual meeting with Purdue Extension; AJ Popovic to speak on invasive species
Summary
Staff proposed a cooperative annual meeting with Purdue Extension and its affiliated groups to increase attendance; the board reviewed logistics including a proposed $10 fee for non‑organizational Purdue attendees to cover food and named AJ Popovic as the featured speaker on invasive species management.
Staff told the board they have been planning a cooperative annual meeting with Purdue Extension and associated groups (master gardeners, homemakers and grow‑crop/row‑crop groups) to draw a larger audience. The plan calls for combining programs so the district’s reports may be shortened and for offering a speaker program; AJ Popovic is listed as the featured speaker and will address landowner perspectives on invasive‑species management.
Organizers told the board they expect a substantially larger audience — staff cited attendance approaching 300 people — and proposed charging $10 at the door for non‑organizational Purdue attendees to help cover food costs. Staff noted the district has not charged for the annual meeting in previous years; the fee is presented as a practical step to offset catering costs.
Staff also reviewed other outreach activities: the 'Coffee, Create, Conserve' workshop series (including a Jan. 14 session on frost seeding and seed paper) and youth programs such as Envirothon and fifth‑grade field days (six classes signed up for field days; Envirothon had no registrations at the time of the meeting). Staff said they are distributing invitations to surrounding county educators to increase participation.
Board members discussed logistics, facility capacity (staff noted a community building can hold up to 300–500 people), and coordination with Purdue and other organizers. No formal motion was required for the program plan during this meeting; staff said they will continue planning and provide further details at future meetings.
