Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program Seeking New Crop of Volunteers

If you want to sharpen your gardening skills and are interested in sharing that knowledge with others, Purdue Extension has the ideal program for you.

Beginning in September, a Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training course will be offered in Allen and Whitley Counties. The Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program is a volunteer training program. Throughout the class, participants learn about a wide variety of horticultural subjects, forming a solid foundation of knowledge to be effective as volunteers. Once someone passes the class, participants provide leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities to fulfill the EMG mission, “Helping Others Grow.” The group also organizes and promotes opportunities for advanced horticultural education across various topics.

Materials and expenses for the series of classes cost $180.00 per participant; this covers the Extension Master Gardener manual, handouts, name badges, and other materials. The teaching resources become part of the Master Gardener's personal collection. Couples in the same household that share one manual may attend for a rate of $280.00 ($140 each).

A completed application is required for all potential students by Monday, August 31. Applicants must present identification (driver’s license) once to Extension office staff. So, it’s best to submit your application in person if possible. Provided enough students enroll, successfully screened applicants will be given a link to complete enrollment and pay online by Sept. 8. If you plan to pay by check, please start the application process early so that payment can be made by Aug. 31.

If you plan to perform the required 40 hours of volunteer service in Whitley County within two years following the conclusion of the class, you are invited to apply for one of ten scholarships sponsored by the Whitley County Master Gardeners Association. To be considered, a scholarship application and class application must be submitted by Aug. 31. Upon completion of the class, the award is a $90 “rebate” on the fully paid class fee.

An orientation for the Basic Training course will be held Monday, September 14, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Subsequent classes will continue Monday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm through Dec. 21. Topics include soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, and culture of vegetable, flower, landscape, and fruit plants.

Classes for the first half of the bi-county training sessions will be held at the Allen County Extension Office, 4001 Crescent Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN. The second half of bi-county training sessions will be at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbia City, IN. Purdue Extension Educators Cora Hill (Allen County) and John Woodmansee (Whitley County) will facilitate the class sessions and teach several topics. Past participants have indicated the course was a great experience, and the inclusion of hands-on learning helps solidify concepts taught in the class.

If you'd like an application to join this league of volunteers or if you have further questions, call Allen County Extension at (260) 481-6826 or Whitley County Extension at 260-244-7615. You may also stop by the Purdue Extension office in Allen County, 4001 Crescent Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN, or at the Whitley County office at 220 W. Van Buren Street, Suite LL4, Columbia City, IN.

Interested persons may also access information at the local Purdue Extension websites www.extension.purdue.edu/allen or www.extension.purdue.edu/whitley. Go to https://extension.purdue.edu/county/whitley/extension-master-gardeners---we-want-you.html for a special website dedicated to becoming a Master Gardener in Whitley County, including links to application documents and additional information.