Purdue Extension responds to floods in full-force

By Jay Akridge, Interim Dean of Purdue Agriculture

Literally as soon as the floodwaters began to rise this month across Indiana, Purdue Extension experts were on the scene. From handing affected homeowners our First Steps to Flood Recovery publication, to assisting government leaders with disaster assessment, to providing Indiana agricultural producers with management insights, Purdue Extension provided a broad range of information to help with the recovery. Numerous news releases dealt with concerns, such as flooded fields, mold in homes and food safety. Our campus crop production experts shared insights during an hour-long, toll-free teleconference. And, as the disaster spread across the Midwest, Purdue Extension shared information with our partners and their clientele in other states.

It is clear that Purdue Extension is a vital force in Indiana, both in times of progress and in times of need. We are also a national resource for reliable, unbiased information. While disasters are difficult, they do show the value of the land-grant system in providing a quick, quality response to problems.

This disaster is not over, and Purdue Extension will continue to help Hoosiers with the very difficult tasks of reclaiming their homes, replanting crops, repairing infrastructure and reestablishing their lives.