News Release
ALBION — 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 Noble and Whitley Counties. The Purdue Extension Master Gardener program is a volunteer training program. Through the class, participants learn about a wide variety of horticultural subjects, forming a solid foundation of knowledge with which to be effective as a volunteer.
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 $175 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 sharing one manual may attend for a rate of $270 ($135 each).
A completed application is required for all potential students by Monday, Aug. 25. Applicants must present identification (driver’s license) once to extension office staff. Provided a sufficient number of students enroll, successfully screened applicants will be given a link to complete enrollment and pay online by Sept. 1.
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 a scholarship sponsored by the Whitley County Master Gardeners Association. To be considered, a scholarship application and application for the class must be submitted by Aug. 25. The award is a $90 “rebate” on the fully paid class fee.
An orientation for the basic training course will be held from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8. Subsequent classes will continue Monday evenings from 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 15. 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 Noble County Extension Office at 109 N. York St., Albion. The second half of bi-county training sessions will be in Columbia City.
Purdue Extension Educators Ann Kline, Noble 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.
For an application to join this league of volunteers or for answers further questions, call Noble County Extension at (260) 636-2111 or Whitley County Extension at (260) 244-7615. You may also stop by the Purdue Extension office in Noble County, 109 North York St., Albion, or the Whitley County office at 524 Branch Court in Columbia City.
Interested persons may also access information at the local Purdue Extension websites at: extension.purdue.edu/noble or extension.purdue.edu/whitley.
Go to purdue.link/BecomeMasterGardener for a special website dedicated to becoming a Master Gardener in Whitley County, including links to application documents and additional information.
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