Purdue Master Gardener Program in Grant County, Indiana

...in Grant County, Indiana

Program Overview

The Purdue Master Gardener Program is an integral part of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and provides the citizens of Indiana a chance to grow. Under the guidance and support of Purdue Extension, selected residents of a county voluntarily begin a training program specifically designed to prepare them to help others grow.

The program provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects.

When these volunteers complete the 12- to 16-week training program (one 3-hour class per week) and pass an examination (at least a 70% score), they are then identified by the county and Purdue as Master Gardener Interns. The Master Gardener Interns are expected to complete 35 volunteer service hours, representing the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. They help others grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities, under the guidance of the local Program Coordinator.

When the minimum volunteer commitment has been fulfilled, volunteers are then certified as Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners remain active by completing six hours of educational training and twelve hours of volunteer service per year. Advanced levels of certification are offered to help with recognition and retention of volunteers.

Grant County has had an active Master Gardener program for many years. If you are interested in more information about the Master Gardener Program in Grant County, you may respond through the county Master Gardener program informational brochure, the general Purdue Master Gardener Program informational brochure (Purdue publication HO-184: html or pdf), or through the e-mail link above.

In addition, if you are part of a local community group that would like to have a Master Gardener teach your group about a gardening topic, please e-mail the Purdue Extension office in Grant County, or call the office at 765-651-2413. Please allow plenty of time to make arrangements.

Back to Grant County ANR Program Page

Back to Purdue Extension - Grant County Home

Training Classes/Events

There are basically two types of training programs associated with the

Purdue Master Gardener program...

1. Intern Training - This is the first course you take. It is typically a 12- to 16-week program that provides the foundation upon which the volunteer program is built. For a current listing of scheduled intern training classes in the state, click here.

Having just completed a class in early 2007, Grant County Master Gardener Intern Training is tentatively scheduled again for early 2009. To view the 2007 schedule of subjects covered in class sessions, click here.

Purdue Extension

Hobby Gardener Series

Although completely separate from and unrelated to the Master Gardener program, Purdue Extension in Grant County will be offering a new series to interested local people, the Hobby Gardener Series. No experience necessary! Come to learn and pick up a few tips that may help you become a better gardener. Register by Sept. 19!

Only $5 for Series 1! For more information, see:

Informational Flier Registration Form

Series 1: "From the ground up," (soils and fertilizers, plant science, and composting)

Sept. 23, 30, and Oct. 7, 2008

Series 2: "Keeping plants healthy," (plant diseases, insects, weeds, pesticide safety and alternatives) Sept./Oct. 2009 (tentative)

Series 3: "Way to grow!" (annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs) Sept./Oct. 2010 (tentative)

Series 4: "Improving lawn and garden," (lawn care, vegetables, and introduction to landscaping)

Sept./Oct. 2011 (tentative)

2. Advanced Educational Training - Advanced training sessions are typically hosted by county Program Coordinators or by Purdue staff at conferences. For upcoming advanced training sessions in the state, click here. Topics are different for each training location, and they appeal to a wide variety of gardening interests.

Advanced Master Gardener training was held March 15, 2008 at the Grant County 4-H Fairgrounds. Topics included utilizing annuals and perennials in flower bed designs, organic vegetable production, and native plant selection and use. If you attended the event and had any lingering questions, please feel free to contact session coordinator, John Woodmansee, at 765-651-2413, or e-mail at: jwoodman@purdue.edu.

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Volunteer Degree Information

Minimum Certification Requirements
Award	Cumulative Volunteer Hours	Cumulative Educational Training Hours
Master Gardener	35	35*
Advanced Master Gardener	60	45
Bronze Advanced Master Gardener	200	60
Silver Advanced Master Gardener	500	75
Gold Advanced Master Gardener	1000	100

Volunteer hours are reported to the Program Coordinator on a Volunteer Report. To remain "active," a Master Gardener must donate a minimum of twelve (12) hours of volunteer service and receive six (6) hours of advanced educational training each year. Advanced training may be obtained through:

state, regional or international Master Gardener conferences,
participation in county-sponsored advanced training sessions, or
participation in any other advanced training programs approved by the local Program Coordinator.

Name badges and certificates: In Grant County, your intern badge, Master Gardener badge and Advanced Master Gardener badge are included with your initial intern training fee. However, bronze, silver and gold advanced Master Gardener badges are not included with the initial intern training fee to keep that cost down, and because few reach these levels. Therefore, volunteers reaching these levels are asked to provide money needed to pay for the badges. All certificates acknowledging your level of certification are free.

*These 35 hours are accumulated through the initial 12- to 16-week Intern Training class.

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Master Gardeners and Friends Club

In Grant County, many Master Gardeners find rewarding fellowship, education and volunteer opportunities through participation in the Master Gardeners and Friends Club. The club meets on the second Thursday of each month, usually at 6:30 at the Marion Public Library (unless something special is planned). Contact the Extension office for more information at 765-651-2413.

In addition to regular meetings, the club conducts other various activities throughout the year, such as plant swaps, tours, trips, etc. Contact a club officer for details.

Meeting programs are planned as follows. We'll try hard to keep the website updated, or you may call club president or Extension office for updates to the schedule, which may occur. Note that times and meeting locations may be different for various months. (TBA = to be announced)

2008 Meeting Date	Time	Place	Meeting/Program Notes
Jan. - no meeting
Feb. - no meeting
March 13	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	Native Plants VOLUNTEER GRADUATION
April 10	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	(Ron Purcell: Shade gardening, hostas & more - cancelled). Sue Isaacs will speak.
May 3	9:00 a.m.	Grant Co. 4-H Fairgrounds	Plant Swap
May 8	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	Jim Slater, from Daylily Society: Growing daylilies
May 9-10	F:9-5,S:9-1	Tucker Greenhouse, Marion	Tomato and Pepper Sale
June 12	6:00 p.m.	Matter Park, Marion	Picnic (usually we're at Shelter 1 by tennis courts), bring a covered dish VOLUNTEER GRADUATION
June 16-21	4-10 p.m.	Booth at 4-H Fair	Come see us in the commercial building - sit & stay a while! (Saturday hours Noon-10pm)
July 10	6:00 p.m.	Marion Public Library	Nicki Gosser: Prairie gardens
Aug. 14	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	Teresa Witkoske, Extension Educator: garden food preservation
Sept. 11	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	TBA
Oct. 9	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	TBA
Nov. 13	6:30 p.m.	Marion Public Library	TBA
Dec. 11	6:30 p.m.	TBA	TBA