Shop Extension for stocking stuffers and tax aid

Shop Purdue Extension for Stocking Stuffers and Tax Help!

Many have started or soon will be thinking about presents and preparation for holiday meals. Also there is the coming need of being prepared by year end from a tax standpoint.

If you would like to lessen state income tax burden, you can always make a donation to your local Extension Office. No I am not joking and did not have too much eggnog. Seriously, up to $200 per individual and $400 for couples filing jointly given to an Indiana funded university will receive a direct deduction of 50% of the amount given off the state income tax bill. Therefore a $100 contribution to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County program would only cost you $50. You can also specify how you would like the money to be used (i.e. 4-H, youth development, agriculture, natural resource, or consumer family science educational programming). One could even specify the gift be used for a specific educational program or topic (i.e. 4-H workshop, advanced Master Gardener workshop, resume/job application preparation workshop, etc.). Give the office a call and ask about this excellent way you can support community programs for minimal cost to your pocket due to the associated tax break.

Now let's see how your local Extension Office can help you get a bargain gift for someone without the "Black Friday" lines. The marketing logo for Purdue Extension is "Knowledge to Go" which is also a description of what we do in Extension -- we provide knowledge that residents can take with them. This "knowledge" may be in the form of tangible items such as publications on paper or CD or DVD format. It will be most economical for one to purchase these items through the local Putnam County office but one can shop the Purdue Media Distribution Store via the link at the Purdue Extension-Putnam County website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam.

Let's explore gifts of knowledge as information wrapped in a package. Does your child want a pony for Christmas? "Our First Horse: Considerations Before You Buy" is a fifteen minute video to help you get started on the right hoof. It is DVD-4-H-995. You might also need "Guide To Toxic Plants in Forages" as you learn about pastures for that horse, and it is WS-37.

Do you know someone interested in wildlife? There are actually three different booklets that might look great under their tree. "Snakes of Indiana" is a 50 page guide to 32 species of snakes in our state. The printed version is FNR-173, and there is a CD version too. "Turtles of Indiana" is 64 pages, including 18 species, and is FNR-243. "Salamanders of Indiana" is the third in this series, and is FNR-261. There is also a CD on Snakes of the Midwest, and a booklet on Birds of Benton County for wildlife enthusiasts.

Maybe you know someone who likes trees all year, not just now when they hold Christmas ornaments. The "Trees of Indiana" CD is a great resource which has pictures and descriptions of over 100 trees found in the state. It is CD-FNR-1, and joins other tree booklets such as Fifty Trees of Indiana that many of us used in the 4-H forestry project, and which is now also available on CD. For the woodworker, "Lumber from Hardwood Trees" is a new CD from Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources.

Let's broaden our scope just a little and show some diversity in topics. "Nutrition Facts: Reading Labels Makes Sense" is DVD-CFS-12-185, and can help you understand all those labels at the grocery store.

Another category of gifts would actually be programs. Yes, someone on your list may be interested in taking a class or attending a program, and you could help make it happen by paying their registration, or giving them a gift certificate good for the cost of program registration. An example is the Dining With Diabetes classes offered each year.

Bet you did not know you could get this much shopping done at your local Purdue Extension-Putnam County office! Contact us if any of these items can help you out or be of interest to you. Happy Holidays and safely create pleasant memories with your family and loved ones!

Check our website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 26-27: Office Closed-Thanksgiving

Dec. 2: Crop Production Clinic, Alexandria

Dec. 3: Putnam Extension Advisory Council Annual Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 10: Bi-State Crop Management Workshop, Beef House, 9 a.m.

Dec. 10 "Back to the Table" Basic cooking class (RSVP Ext. Office), Putnam Co. Hospital, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 14: "Ordinary Things Used in Extraordinary Ways", Extension Office, 10 a.m.