ALBION — The Noble County Master Gardener Association has been awarded first place in the 2025 David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Award for its “Seeds of Second Chances” program at the Chain O’Lakes Community Re-Entry Center.
The Noble County program won in the category of Specific Needs Audiences. Noble County’s initiative stood out among submissions from across the globe for its originality, effectiveness, and life-changing outcomes.
This prestigious international award, presented by the Extension Master Gardener National Committee, honors innovative, impactful projects that exemplify the educational mission of Extension Master Gardeners worldwide.
On Aug. 27, representatives from the Noble County Master Gardener Association, Chain O’Lakes Community Re-Entry Center, Purdue Extension — Noble County, and the Central Noble Food Pantry gathered to watch the official award presentation together. The moment marked a celebration not only of the award, but of the powerful collaboration that made the “Seeds of Second Chances” program possible.
As part of its ongoing commitment to education and reintegration, the Noble County Master Gardener Association also awarded partial scholarships of $100 each to four residents at the re-entry center. These individuals will take the fall Master Gardener Basic Training course alongside community members, continuing their journey of learning and service. This opportunity reflects the association’s belief in second chances and the transformative power of education through horticulture.
For more than 16 years, the Noble County Master Gardeners have partnered with the Indiana Department of Correction to bring horticulture education to incarcerated individuals.
In 2023, the program took a bold and unprecedented leap: offering the full Extension Master Gardener Basic Training Course to residents of the Chain O’Lakes Community Re-Entry Center — the first program of its kind in the United States as far as the local association is aware.
Participants completed a rigorous 15-week training course. The men from Chain O’Lakes Re-Entry Center also gained hands-on experience in greenhouse and garden settings, and became Extension Master Gardener interns. These individuals not only learned to grow food but also developed vocational skills, leadership, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“This program grows more than vegetables — it grows confidence, accountability, and hope,” said Ann Kline, Noble County Extension Educator and Extension Master Gardeners coordinator. “They teach others, mentor peers, and serve our community.”
“Seeds of Second Chances” has had a notable effect on the community:
• In 2024 alone, participants donated more than 6,500 pounds of high-quality produce to local food pantries, supporting more than 1,700 families.
• Graduates are now leading gardening lessons, mentoring peers, and applying their skills in work-release jobs and community volunteer projects.
• Two program graduates have already achieved Advanced Master Gardener certification, and one joined a public outreach event to assist Spanish-speaking families with gardening questions.
The program brings together a wide network of partners including Purdue Extension, the Indiana Department of Correction, Chain O’Lakes State Park, local food pantries, and a dedicated team of volunteers from the Noble County Master Gardener Association.
While rooted in Noble County, the “Seeds of Second Chances” model is already inspiring similar programs across Indiana. It is adaptable, cost-effective, and deeply aligned with the mission of Extension Master Gardeners: education, leadership, service, and inclusion.
“This is a story of redemption and resilience,” said Master Gardener Bruce Kennedy, who helped spearhead the project. “These men are not just growing food — they’re growing stronger communities.”
The David Gibby Search for Excellence Award is named for the founder of the first Master Gardener Program in Washington State in 1973. It recognizes exemplary Extension Master Gardener volunteer projects that are simple to replicate, practical, original, and aligned with the mission of Extension.
Comments are closed.