Extension honors citizens

Dale and Sandy Jessup received the Friend of Extension award at the Putnam County Extension Advisory County meeting this week. They were honored for their volunteering. Dale is a long-time member of 4-H and the fair board. Sandy is a member of the Extension Homemakers group and Putnam County Extension board. John Rosich, president of the Extension board, presented the award.

The Putnam County Extension Advisory Council held its annual meeting Thursday.

A highlight of the evening was the Friend of Extension award. Dale and Sandy Jessup received the award for their volunteer work. Sandy is a member of the Putnam County Extension Board. She and Dale were given the award together due to their volunteer work.

John Rosich, president Putnam County Extension Board, received a certificate of appreciation. Daryl Thomas was given the Epsilon Sigma Phi Service Award to Retirees award. Thomas has 32 years of service with the Extension.

Daryl Thomas (left) was awarded an Epsilon Sigma Phi Service Award to Retirees during the annual advisory council meeting. Thomas has been part of Putnam County Extension for 32 years. Charles Hibberd, director of Cooperative Extension Service and associate dean of agriculture Purdue University, was the guest speaker for meeting.

Lauralee Baugh, 4-H youth development educator and Putnam County extension director, discussed the 4-H program and shared some excellent numbers with the group. There are 1,110 youth enrolled in the Putnam County 4-H program; 2,765 projects were completed; and an estimated 1,728 animals were enrolled/shown, which resulted in 4,439 actual projects exhibited at the county fair.

"These are awesome numbers," Baugh said.

Baugh also told the group the handbook would continue to be updated to better serve the families of 4-H.

Charles Hibberd, director of Cooperative Extension Services and associate dean of agriculture Purdue University, was the guest speaker. His program, "Raising the Bar," gave ideas on how the group can better serve the community. He has been the director since Nov. 1, 2007.

Hibberd and his family moved to Indiana from Nebraska. In less than a year, he traveled to all 92 Indiana counties. This was his second time visiting Putnam County.

Bonnie Bryan, Steve Jackson, Rodger Winger and Dr. John Scamahorn were approved to be board members during the meeting. The Extension board will meet Jan. 27.

The next annual meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2009.