What is the Purdue Master Gardener
Program?
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. The Program provides a learning framework for participants to increase
their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects. In turn,
participants volunteer, representing Purdue University. They "help others
grow" by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in
educational gardening activities within their communities.
The
Master Gardener program was created in 1972 in Seattle, Washington in response
to the overwhelming demand for home gardening information. The Indiana Master Gardener Program began in
1978 with 4 participating counties. Currently, over 70 Indiana counties have
active Master Gardener programs as part of the newly renamed Purdue Master
Gardener Program.
The
purpose of the Purdue Master Gardener Program is to teach people more about
growing plants and to more effectively extend information related to plants.
Its specific aim is to provide information and technical assistance in the
areas of gardening and home horticulture through the use of trained and
certified volunteers.
Why become a Purdue Master Gardener?
You
can grow in several ways when you become a Purdue Master Gardener - the ways
you grow and how far you go are up to you!
- Increase your knowledge on a wide
array of gardening subjects through a structured training program.
- This increased knowledge will give
you the skills - and the confidence - to teach others in your community,
either one-on-one or in group settings.
- Sharing your gardening knowledge
with others will help improve the quality of life in your community.
- If desired, use the leadership
training and experience from your activities in the Purdue Master Gardener
Program as a springboard to other forms of community leadership.
What topics are covered?
After
acceptance into the Master Gardener Program, participants receive training in
the following areas:
- Plant Science
- Plant Nutrition
- Soil Science
- Plant Disease Diagnosis/Control
- Insect Pest Diagnosis/Control
- Weed Identification/Control
- Pesticide Safety/Pesticide
Alternatives
- Woody Ornamentals (trees and
shrubs)
- Vegetables
- Herbaceous Ornamentals (annual and
perennial flowers)
- Home Lawns
- Animal Pests
- Home Fruit Production
What is the cost?
Purdue
University Extension county and state staff provide instruction free of charge.
Materials and expenses for the series of classes are currently $100 per person
for the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Volunteer training class.
When and Where will the classes be held?
The
2005 Master Gardener class will be held on Thursday evenings and Friday
mornings (your choice) starting the week of September 1, 2005. We will be meeting at the new Evansville Central
Library (in the Browning Room), at 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
How do I become a Purdue Master Gardener?
- Contact the Purdue Extension
office in Vanderburgh
County (see contact information below)
- Complete an application
form and return it to the Vanderburgh County Extension Office.
Enrollment is limited.
- After being accepted into a
training session, you must attend a series of weekly classes, each lasting
3 to 4 hours. Check
here for the schedule for the next class.
- Achieve the rank of Master
Gardener Intern by completing the required training and passing the exam
with 70% success.
- Master Gardener Interns are
required to volunteer, representing Purdue University, a minimum of 40
hours to be certified as a Purdue Master Gardener.
For more information, please contact:
Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture
Educator
Purdue Extension Service,
Vanderburgh County
13301 Darmstadt Rd.
Evansville, IN 47725
(812) 435-5287
Return to Vanderburgh County Horticulture