On Monday, June 13, the North Manchester Historical Society is pleased to host Purdue
Professor Fred Whitford, who will present a program about the history of the Purdue
Extension Service. Many people in our community, from farmers to master gardeners to
4-H members, have benefitted from Extension Services. The program will be held in the
Assembly Room at Timbercrest Retirement Center, 2201 East Street, at 6:40 p.m. There
is no cost for the program.
The Cooperative Extension Service is one of the nation’s largest providers of scientific
research-based information and education. It is a network of colleges, universities and
the U.S Department of Agriculture serving communities across America. The Purdue
University Extension Service program provides practical solutions to local issues in the
areas of agriculture and natural resources, health and human services, economic and
community development and 4-H youth development. Besides 4-H, one of the best
known programs is Purdue’s Master Gardener Program.
Fred Whitford has authored more than 300 publications and become a popular speaker
with more than 4,600 presentations given throughout Indiana and the United States. He
is the Clinical Engagement Professor, Botany and Plant Pathology and Director of Purdue
Pesticide Programs of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. His prior professional
activities include lab and field research, extension outreach, regulatory work, and
commercial pesticide application.
In recognition of his significant contributions to Extension outreach efforts, Whitford has
received numerous awards, including the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in
Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana, the Outstanding Extension
Faculty/Specialist Award from Purdue Extension, and an Excellence in Extension Award
from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In addition, he was recently
named an Honorary Master Farmer by Indiana Prairie Farmer and the Purdue University
College of Agriculture.
He loves working with people and seeing how Extension information can help
individuals better themselves. His hobbies including writing on the history of agriculture
at Purdue University, perennial gardening, and feeding birds.