Helping Others Grow

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.

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.

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
• Vegetables
• Herbaceous Ornamentals
• Home Lawns
• Animal Pests

In addition, training may include these areas:

• Principles of Landscape Design
• Home Fruit Production
• Indoor Gardening
• Yard Waste Management

Purdue University Extension county and state staff provide instruction free of charge. Materials and expenses for the series of classes range from $75 to $150.

• Determine the location of a Master Gardener training session in your area by contacting your county Extension office. (The telephone number is usually listed with your county government offices, or you can find it by visiting the Purdue Master Gardener Program web site) You can also contact the Master Gardener State Coordinator to find out where the program nearest to you will be held. (Please use the form in the PDF version of HO-184-W - 84K.)
• Complete an application form and return it to the local 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.
• 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 35 hours to be certified as a Purdue Master Gardener.

For more information, please contact:

Master Gardener State Coordinator
Purdue University Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
625 Agriculture Mall Drive
West Lafayette IN 47907-2010
765-494-1296
mastergardener@purdue.edu

It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer. This material may be available in alternative formats.