What Purdue Extension Does in Indiana
Purdue Extension is the outreach arm of Purdue University, and it has a presence in every county. Its About Us page says the team includes Extension educators in all 92 counties and that specialists and educators reach more than 682,825 people a year. Its work falls into four areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Human Sciences, Community Development, and 4-H and Youth Development. For farmers, landowners and 4-H families, the county office is usually the first door to knock on.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) program covers crops, agricultural business, livestock, natural resources, horticulture, small farms, urban agriculture, pesticide use and land conservation. Purdue's Extension overview handout reports more than 5,100 educational sessions for over 169,000 Indiana residents across 2022 and 2023.
A county ANR page shows what to expect. The Tipton County ANR page lists:
- Research-based, unbiased information on land conservation, crops, ag business, livestock, horticulture, small farms and pesticide use
- Guidance on commercial and private pesticide applicator certification, including exam options, training and recertification
- Information on manure applicator certification for private applicators who handle manure from a confined feeding operation
- Publications on farm business, leasing and crop costs
- Master Gardener program materials, including an application and policy guide
- Coordination with local, state and federal partners
Each county sets its own mix of programs, so look up your county page on extension.purdue.edu and call before you drive over.
Pesticide Applicator Recertification
Private applicators in Indiana recertify through the Private Applicator Recertification Program, known as PARP. Purdue's permit page sets out the rules:
- A private applicator permit is current for five years.
- In each five-year period you need three recertification programs, or you can take the pesticide or fertilizer certification exam instead.
- Each program lasts at least two hours and includes an approved regulatory topic. You must attend the whole program to get credit.
- Programs cost $10, and some add a charge for a meal.
- Up to two programs per calendar year count, and one of the three can be online.
- In October of the year printed on your permit, the Office of Indiana State Chemist mails a renewal letter. Return it with the $20 fee to receive a new five-year permit.
You can attend a program in any county, not only your home county. Your county Extension office advertises local sessions. The Purdue overview handout says the program reached more than 10,000 private applicators during 2022 and 2023.
Extension Master Gardeners
The Master Gardener program trains volunteers in plant science, soils, pest control and pesticide safety. According to the state Master Gardener page:
- Contact your County Extension Master Gardener coordinator for the application and registration details.
- Training totals at least 40 hours, in weekly classes of about 3 to 4 hours.
- A score of 70 percent or higher on the exam makes you an intern.
- Certification takes at least 40 volunteer hours within two years of finishing training.
- To stay active you need 12 volunteer hours and 6 hours of approved training each year.
- Plan on $150 to $200 for materials and expenses.
Volunteer requirements can vary by county, so confirm with your office.
4-H and Youth Development
Indiana 4-H is run through county Extension offices. Under the state eligibility policy, youth can join when they enter third grade and stay through grade 12, up to ten consecutive years, with a few listed exceptions. Mini 4-H is open to kindergarten through second grade, is non-competitive and is offered in most counties. Members enroll each year in 4-H Online. The program year runs October 1 to September 30, and statewide enrollment opens October 1.
Livestock families should know that animal projects carry their own ownership, care and identification deadlines, and counties add fees and dates. The Harrison County 2026 handbook shows how one county handles enrollment, weigh-ins and fair check-in. Your own county's handbook is the one that counts.
Purdue Extension at the Indiana State Fair
The 2026 Indiana State Fair ran August 7 through 23 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, and was closed Mondays. Purdue Extension's main activities were in the Purdue Extension Building on the north side of the grounds, according to its fair announcement. Offerings included Master Gardener guidance, conversations with specialists in forestry, animal sciences and farm succession planning, and Animal Town in the livestock barn.
Getting the Most From Your County Office
- Call ahead and say what you need: a pesticide credit, a 4-H deadline, a Master Gardener class.
- Read the county newsletter or handbook for dates, since fees and deadlines are set locally.
- Bring your permit number to a PARP session.
- Ask about recertification sessions in neighboring counties if yours has none soon.
The state office is at 615 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906, per the About Us page, for questions your county cannot answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Purdue Extension county offices are there?
Purdue says it has Extension educators in all 92 Indiana counties.
How long does a private applicator permit last?
Five years. Renewal means three recertification programs or an exam, plus the $20 renewal fee.
How old do you have to be for 4-H?
Eligibility is by grade. Youth join in third grade, and Mini 4-H covers kindergarten through second grade.
Do I have to attend PARP in my own county?
No. Purdue says you can attend a program in any county.
Indiana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Purdue Extension Adams County
County office of Purdue Extension in Decatur, serving Adams County with 4-H youth development, Mini 4-H project manuals, agriculture and natural resources, and local fair programs.
313 W Jefferson St, Suite 213, Decatur, IN 46733 | 260-724-5322 Website - Purdue Extension Allen County
Purdue Extension office on Crescent Avenue in Fort Wayne, supporting Allen County growers, homeowners and 4-H families with research-based agriculture and horticulture education.
4001 Crescent Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46815 | 260-481-6826 - Purdue Extension Bartholomew County
Purdue Extension office on South Marr Road in Columbus, next door to the county conservation district, offering Bartholomew County agriculture, 4-H and community education programs.
783 S. Marr Road, Columbus, IN 47201 - Purdue Extension Benton County
Purdue Extension office in Fowler serving Benton County, a heavily agricultural county, with crop and livestock education, 4-H youth programs and community resources.
410 S Adeway, Ste A, Fowler, IN 47944 | 765-884-0140 - Purdue Extension Blackford County
Purdue Extension office in Hartford City covering Blackford County, with 4-H educators, agriculture and natural resources programming and support for the county fair.
124 N Jefferson St, Hartford City, IN 47348 | 765-348-3213 Website - Purdue Extension Boone County
Purdue Extension office on East 100 South in Lebanon serving Boone County farm families, 4-H members and horticulture volunteers.
1300 E 100 S, Lebanon, IN 46052 | 765-482-0750 - Purdue Extension Brown County
Purdue Extension office at the Brown County 4-H fairgrounds on Memorial Drive in Nashville, serving 4-H families, gardeners and woodland owners across the county.
802 Memorial Drive, Nashville, IN 47448 | 812-988-5495 - Purdue Extension Carroll County
Purdue Extension office in Flora covering Carroll County, running livestock tagging sessions, quality livestock training and 4-H fair preparation for local youth.
102 N 4th Street, Ste B, Flora, IN 46929 | 574-967-3538 Website - Purdue Extension Cass County
Purdue Extension office in the Court Park building in Logansport, serving Cass County with 4-H, livestock project documents, agriculture education and community programs.
200 Court Park, Room 302, Logansport, IN 46947 | 574-753-7750 Website - Purdue Extension Clark County
Purdue Extension office on Highway 62 in Charlestown, sharing a building with the Clark County conservation district, serving growers and 4-H families.
9608 Highway 62, Ste 1, Charlestown, IN 47111 | 812-256-4591 - Purdue Extension Clay County
Purdue Extension office on State Road 59 north of Brazil, serving Clay County with 4-H fair planning, livestock terms and conditions, and agriculture education.
6656 N State Road 59, Brazil, IN 47834 | 812-448-9041 - Purdue Extension Clinton County
Purdue Extension office on South Jackson Street in Frankfort serving Clinton County with 4-H youth development, row-crop and livestock education and community programs.
1111 S Jackson Street, Frankfort, IN 46041 | 765-659-6380 - Purdue Extension Crawford County
Purdue Extension office in Leavenworth on the Ohio River side of Crawford County, offering 4-H, forestry, agriculture and horticulture education to a rural, wooded county.
527 W Old State Road 62, Leavenworth, IN 47137 | 812-338-5466 - Purdue Extension Daviess County
Purdue Extension office on East Hefron Street in Washington serving Daviess County, with agriculture, 4-H and horticulture programs.
300 E Hefron Street, Ste 119, Washington, IN 47501 | 812-254-8668 - Purdue Extension Dearborn County
Purdue Extension office on Main Street in Aurora serving Dearborn County with 4-H, agriculture and natural resources, and consumer horticulture education.
229 Main Street, Aurora, IN 47001 | 812-926-1189 - Purdue Extension Decatur County
Purdue Extension office on South County Road 200 West in Greensburg, working with the county fair committee and 4-H council on the Decatur County Fair and livestock auction.
545 S County Road 200 W, Greensburg, IN 47240 | 812-663-8388 - Purdue Extension DeKalb County
Purdue Extension office in downtown Auburn serving DeKalb County farm and 4-H families, including preparation for the unusual autumn DeKalb County Fall Fair.
215 East 9th Street, Suite 300, Auburn, IN 46706 | 260-925-2562 - Purdue Extension Delaware County
Purdue Extension office in the Delaware County building on West Main Street in Muncie, supporting 4-H, agriculture and urban gardening programs in east-central Indiana.
100 W Main Street, Room 202, Muncie, IN 47305 | 765-747-7732 - Purdue Extension Dubois County
Purdue Extension office on West 5th Street in Jasper serving Dubois County, with 4-H project and animal information, a Clover Chronicle newsletter and agriculture education.
505 W 5th Street, Door #4, Jasper, IN 47546 | 812-482-1782 Website - Purdue Extension Elkhart County
Purdue Extension office on County Road 34 in Goshen at the 4-H fairgrounds, with livestock club handbooks for swine and lamb projects and a county 4-H program.
17746 County Road 34 Ste E, Goshen, IN 46528 | 574-533-0554 Website - Purdue Extension Fayette County
Purdue Extension office on North Central Avenue in Connersville serving Fayette County with 4-H youth programs, agriculture and natural resources education.
401 N Central Ave, Connersville, IN 47331 | 765-825-8502 - Purdue Extension Floyd County
Purdue Extension office on Technology Avenue in New Albany, publishing the Floyd County 4-H handbook, fair guide and auction forms for the Louisville-area county.
3000 Technology Ave, L2110, New Albany, IN 47150 | 812-948-5470 - Purdue Extension Fountain County
Purdue Extension office on 4th Street in Covington serving Fountain County, a Wabash Valley farming area, with 4-H, row-crop and community education programs.
301 4th Street, Covington, IN 47932 | 765-793-6240 - Purdue Extension Franklin County
Purdue Extension office on Franklin Avenue in Brookville serving Franklin County, in southeast Indiana, with 4-H, agriculture and natural resources programs.
1010 Franklin Ave, Room 214, Brookville, IN 47012 | 765-647-3511 - Purdue Extension Fulton County
County Extension office at the fairgrounds in Rochester. Runs 4-H enrollment, day camps for Mini 4-H and grades 3-5, and the Fulton County Pork Producers scholarship.
1009 W. 3rd Street, Rochester, IN 46975 | 574-223-3397 Website - Purdue Extension Gibson County
Gibson County office offering 4-H programs including Mini Day Camp, Barnyard Olympics and state fair project selection, plus agriculture recertification training.
Princeton, IN | 812-385-3491 Website - Purdue Extension Grant County
Marion office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that hosts 4-H enrollment, quality assurance livestock trainings and monthly Junior Leaders meetings for grades 7-12.
401 S Adams Street, Suite 422, Marion, IN 46953 | 765-651-2413 Website - Purdue Extension Greene County
Bloomfield Extension office handling 4-H enrollment for grades K-12 and county-only sheep, dairy goat and llama and alpaca projects judged at the Greene County fair.
4503 W. State Road 54, Bloomfield, IN 47424 | 812-659-2122 Website - Purdue Extension Hamilton County
Noblesville office open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that organizes the county 4-H program, project enrollment through May 15 and the 4-H fair livestock auction.
2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 | 317-776-0854 Website - Purdue Extension Hancock County
Greenfield Extension office supporting 4-H beef and mini 4-H enrollment, Master Gardeners, Extension Homemakers and fairgrounds rental information.
972 E. Park Avenue, Greenfield, IN 46140 | 317-462-1113 Website - Purdue Extension Harrison County
Corydon office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that publishes 4-H clubs, newsletters and mini 4-H guides, and offers a monthly challenge kit for youth.
247 Atwood Street, Corydon, IN 47112 | 812-738-4236 Website - Purdue Extension Hendricks County
Purdue Extension office for Hendricks County at 1900 E Main St in Danville, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and home to the county 4-H program and its scholarship information.
1900 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122 | 317-745-9260 Website - Purdue Extension Henry County
New Castle office that supports Henry County 4-H clubs and the county fair, and publishes a club directory and the annual fair schedule.
1201 Race Street, Suite 303, New Castle, IN 47362 | 765-529-5002 Website - Purdue Extension Huntington County
Huntington office offering 4-H club information, livestock and non-livestock project books, scholarships and a digital fair book for the county 4-H program.
1340 S Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN 46750 | 260-358-4826 Website - Purdue Extension Jackson County
Brownstown office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that coordinates 4-H clubs, including a goat club, and community development programs in Jackson County.
111 South Main Street, Suite 10, Brownstown, IN Website - Purdue Extension Jasper County
Rensselaer office covering agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences and 4-H youth development for Jasper County farm families.
2530 N McKinley Ave, Ste 1, Rensselaer, IN 47978 | 219-866-5741 Website - Purdue Extension Jay County
Portland office with programs in agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, nutrition education and 4-H for Jay County residents.
126 N Meridian Street, Portland, IN 47371 | 260-726-4707 Website - Purdue Extension Johnson County
Franklin office open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. delivering 4-H, health and human sciences and Master Gardener programs for Johnson County.
484 N Morton Street, Franklin, IN 46131 | 317-736-3724 Website - Purdue Extension Knox County
Vincennes office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that runs 4-H livestock quality training, tagging days and fair entry for the Knox County 4-H Fair.
4259 N Purdue Rd, Vincennes, IN 47591 | 812-882-3509 Website - Purdue Extension LaGrange County
LaGrange office in the courthouse annex area offering 4-H project resources, pesticide recertification sessions and agriculture education.
114 W Michigan Street, Site 10, LaGrange, IN 46761 | 260-499-6334 Website
Plus 21 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Indiana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.