Welcome!
Thanks for visiting our website! If you live in Hancock County, feel free to stop into our office on the corner of Park Avenue and Apple Street in Greenfield to ask about your lawn, garden and questions about our natural resources. I enjoy meeting you and helping you with those questions. If you have any educational opportunities you would like me to speak at, I am happy to come and share on Agriculture and Natural Resources topics. I especially enjoy pollinators, beekeeping, diversified farming, but love all aspects of farming and growing!
- Lais lmccartn@purdue.edu
Contact Us
Lais McCartney
972 E. Park Avenue
Greenfield, IN 46140
317-462-1113
lmccartn@purdue.edu

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Opportunities for you!
PARP (Private Applicators Recertification Program)

- PARP events around the state can be found by clicking here.
tOOLS FOR tODAY'S fARMERS: nAVIGATING UNCERTAIN TIMES
- Purdue Farm Stress Team Podcast Series: Farm Stress Spotify Podcast Link
- Code Red is a business contingency planning tool for farms, farmers and farm families available from Purdue Women in Agriculture.
- Farm Stress Events can be found by clicking here.
The next Purdue Master Gardener Program Class will be in February 2023.
Program Information
For Spring 2023, there will be a Statewide Virtual Purdue EMG Basic Training from February 7 - May 9 (with completion of final exam after May 9). Many counties have come together to offer this program which includes a local county connection hour. The statewide live webinars will be held on Tuesdays, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (ET)/5:30 - 7:30 pm (CT). Here in Hancock County, the local County Connection hour will be held on Tuesdays 30 minutes before and after the statewide live webinar. We will start at 6 pm and end at 9 pm (ET). This will be offered live at the Purdue Extension Office - Hancock County, 972 E Park Ave., Greenfield, IN 46140. You can join us virtually, but attendance is mandatory.
Application and Registration Information (Two-Step Process to participate)
Step 1: Application approval by local EMG County Coordinator
Please read the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program Policy Guide and complete, sign and return the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Application and Agreement (Form EMG-1) to Purdue Extension Office - Hancock County, 972 E. Park Ave., Greenfield, IN 46140. You may download the policy guide here: https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/mg/mg-5-w.pdf . The Purdue EMG Application and Approval Form (Form EMG-1) link can be found BELOW. All applicants are also required to show evidence of a government issued photo ID to your local EMG County Coordinator or designated Purdue Extension staff prior to approval of their application. Virtual options or an in-person appointment can be utilized to complete this requirement.
The application deadline is January 16, 2023, 11:59 pm (ET).
Step 2: Registration and payment of fees through online registration portal
Upon approval of your application and providing evidence of government issued photo ID, an online registration link will be sent to you. The registration options are listed below:
- $180.00 for an individual registration which includes a print version of the Purdue EMG Manual.
- $280.00 for two people sharing the Purdue EMG Manual. (Sharing option works best for two people living in the same household.
- Participants can add a digital version of the manual for an additional $25.00.
Pre-Registration opens in early December, 2022. Once we have reached our minimum number of students, an email will be sent to you with a link to register.
Once your payment is confirmed, your copy of the Purdue EMG Manual will be shipped to you prior to the start of the training.
Refund Policy
If you cancel your registration prior to January 23, 11:59 pm (ET), you will be charged 12% of the registration fee + $5.00. There are no refunds after January 23, 2023. Purdue University is not responsible for expenses incurred due to cancellations by registrants. Purdue University reserves the right to cancel any program if there is a lack of interest. Registrants will receive a full refund in the event that Purdue University cancels the program.
Statewide Live Webinar Schedule
February 7 Purdue EMG Orientation
February 14 Plant Science
February 21 Soils and Plant Nutrition
February 28 Invasive Species
March 7 Plant Disease Diagnosis
March 14 Insect ID and Control
March 21 Weed ID and Control
March 28 Animal Pests
April 4 Pesticide Safety and Alternatives
April 11 Woody Ornamentals
April 18 Herbaceous Ornamentals
April 25 Fruit Gardening
May 2 Lawn Care
May 9 Vegetable Gardening
Purdue is committed to making all programs accessible to participants. If you require auxiliary aids or services, or if you have other program-related concerns, please contact Bobbie Lawrence at 317-462-1113, or by email at lawren93@purdue.edu, at least 2 weeks prior to the program.
Thank you for your interest in the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program!
Click HERE for the Statewide Flyer
Click HERE for the application
Home vegetable gardening for the pleasure of growing produce series
Who should attend?
This series should be of special interest to current and prospective gardeners and the more advanced home gardeners.
What is the goal of the series?
This series will offer participants knowledge of tools and techniques that will improve their productivity of quality vegetables.
Participants will increase their knowledge of methods which will improve their ability to control pests and diseases while reducing the impact of their operation on the environment.
What are the expected outcomes?
Participants will produce high-quality vegetables while reducing their impact on the environment.
Participants will build a network of vegetable growers, educators, and specialists. This program will provide the resources to facilitate their learning well after the conclusion of the series.

In each session, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about modern vegetable production practices appropriate to home growing
- Learn from experts on how to select varieties and kinds of vegetables to meet their needs
- Learn about how to manage pests in a sustainable manner
- Learn about resources that are available to help continue their study and to solve problems after the series is complete
To register, please click HERE. If you require auxiliary aids and services due to a disability or special food needs, please contact Bobbie Lawrence at 317-462-1113 or lawren93@purdue.edu by April 6.
Diversified Farming and Food Systems
Purdue Diversified Farming and Food Systems works to connect programming, research and learning focused on urban agriculture, community wellness, local food, beginning farmers, small farms and organic agriculture.
Learn moreOTHER HANCOCK COUNTY AG & NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION/FAQ's:
You can learn more about the Extension Master Gardener Program by clicking here.
Submit your volunteer hours by clicking here!