A New Era: Welcoming Carey Grable, Home Horticulture Educator

Carey Grable is a father, a husband, an avid gardener, and added a new title this year: Educator. 

This May, Grable started as the Home Horticulture Educator for Purdue Extension Marion County (PEMC). He works on all education related to home gardening, collaborating heavily with the Marion County Master Gardeners. He takes the place of former Horticulture Educator, Steve Mayer, who retired in December 2020 after 23.5 years at Purdue Extension. 

Since 2008, Grable has been a part of Extension. “Extension has been my career. I began as an Intern with a County Agent in Kentucky in 2008. I began my role as an Extension Associate two weeks after graduating from Undergrad. I have been working towards a county position for over 12 years and I am incredibly excited to finally be able to get started.”

Prior to PEMC, Grable worked with the University of Kentucky as an Extension Associate for nursery crops. He then moved on to working as a Section Grower at a greenhouse in Noblesville, IN. In this role, he was responsible for overall plant health, including watering, fertilizing, scouting for pests, chemical application, and maintenance on greenhouse equipment.

Marion County Extension Director, Laura Dodds, says Grable is the perfect fit for this role; “Saying goodbye to a legacy like Steve Mayer was difficult for all of us at PEMC. We just feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to meet Carey and then welcome him to our team. I am confident he will leave his own mark on urban agriculture in Indianapolis with his experience, education, and most importantly, his heart for Extension services.”

Grable says he is “most looking forward to getting out and connecting with the greater horticultural community within Marion County. I am excited to meet with homeowners, community leaders, and heads of horticultural programs. I can't wait to explore what this county has to offer!” 

Out of his entire career, Grable considers earning this role as his greatest professional accomplishment. “This position is one that I have been working towards for such a long time. I also consider it an honor to have been chosen for such a great role in a great county.” 

About Carey Grable 

Carey Grable is the Home Horticulture Educator for Purdue Extension Marion County. He is originally from Hopkinsville, KY. He is married with two children, an 8-year-old son, and a one-year-old daughter. 

Get in touch with Carey through email (cagrable@purdue.edu) or phone (317-275-9290).