Purdue Extension - St. Joseph County

10/22/2026

Interested in some of Indiana's most dangerous creepy crawlers? Join Tabby Flinn in a free virtual program to learn about some of our insects, spiders, and other scary bugs that call Indiana home. Participants are welcome to bring pictures of their creepy crawlers to get help with identification.
Register below:
https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aWb003OSgq0WthA

10/05/2026

From our office to all of you, Happy National 4-H Week! 🍀

10/05/2026

Happy ! We're kicking off the week with Go Green Day! Keep your eye out this evening for the South Bend River Lights, which will be glowing green in support for the incredible work 4-H does in our country, our state, and our region!

And we want to thank YOU all for your hard work and support! Wear your green and snap a photo to show off your 4-H style! And if you tag us at and use the hashtags and , you'll have the chance to win an Indiana 4-H bag or an Indiana 4-H cup (with some extra candy to sweeten the deal 😉). We'll be announcing the winners on Thankful Thursday, October 8th.

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the 4-H program! YOU are the reason we can keep offering such incredible programs and opportunities to the youth of St. Joseph County and the surrounding region! 🍀

10/02/2026

As you may know, Purdue Extension (which is responsible for 4-H in St. Joseph County) is undergoing a transformation to improve our services. Due to this transformation, we need additional time to update the 4-H Online website and get ready for the new 4-H year, so the onset of 4-H enrollment for BOTH volunteers and youth for the 2026-2027 4-H year has been delayed to November 1, 2026.

Essentially, this means we are extending the 2025-2026 4-H year by 1 month. Youth and volunteers who enrolled for the 2025-2026 year are still considered “active” 4-H volunteers and youth for the month of October 2026. 4-H events for October 2026 can proceed as planned.

Please enroll after November 1 for the 2026-2027 4-H year!

Send a message to learn more

10/02/2026

Getting ready for Go Green Day during ? Keep your eye out on Monday, October 5th, for the green lights of the South Bend River Lights! A half hour before sunset, the South Bend River Lights will glow bright green to kick off National 4-H Week! Enjoy the view!

Send a message to learn more

09/28/2026

Get ready to Go Green for ! Join us in showing your love for 4-H this October 5th, and if you post a picture to Facebook of you rocking your Green and tag , we'll add you to our "Go Green for 4-H" contest!

Here are the rules for our "Go Green for 4-H" Contest

1) A photo of a 4-H youth, volunteer, parent or supporter wearing the color green must be posted to Facebook on October 5, 2026, and the Facebook post must tag . Use of the hashtags and are encouraged but not required. Photos that do not have a person wearing green or that do not tag will not be considered.
2) Multiple people are allowed to be in the photo, as long as at least one person is wearing green. Animals are also allowed.
3) Green props and backgrounds are encouraged as well, but not required.
4) Photos will be judged based on amount of "4-H Spirit" by St. Joe County Purdue Extension Staff- their decision will be final. First place will receive an "Indiana 4-H Foundation" bag and runner up will receive an "Indiana 4-H Foundation" clear plastic cup with candy.
5) Winners will be announced on Thankful Thursday, Thursday, Oct 8, 2026. Winners can pick up their award at the St. Joseph County Purdue Extension office M-F, 8:00AM-4:30PM.

09/18/2026

09/14/2026

Want us to come and teach your group about apples this October? Get in contact with our office and we'll send our educators to come and teach you and your group about apples so everyone can join in on the INDIANA APPLE CRUNCH!

09/10/2026

The Northeast Indiana Reentry Coalition (NEIRC) is hosting a Re-Entry Simulator on September 29 in Huntington. This interactive experience gives participants an opportunity to step into a simulated month in the life of someone returning to the community after incarceration. Along the way, participants navigate challenges related to housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, finances, supervision requirements, and other everyday needs.

The goal is not only to build a better understanding of the barriers people face during reentry, but also to get us thinking about the role each of our organizations and systems can play in making successful reentry more achievable.

The event is especially relevant for service providers, community leaders, employers, educators, law enforcement, and faith and nonprofit organizations—and you do not need to work directly in reentry or the justice system to participate.

Tuesday, September 29 | 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Beacon Credit Union Heritage Hall | Huntington
$15 per person | Lunch included

Register: https://bit.ly/4pGUwdY

09/02/2026

Learn what it takes to start and sustain a community garden through Purdue Extension’s Grass to Garden virtual course. The four-part virtual series begins October 7. Registration is open: https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/hla-happenings/article/grass-to-garden-virtual-course-returns-in-october/