2025 Purdue Extension Master Gardener State Conference a Great Success!

John Orick giving opening remarks about the impact of the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program.

The 2025 Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) State Conference, held September 12–13 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana, was a vibrant celebration of learning, community, and volunteer impact.

Nearly 70 Purdue EMG volunteers kicked off the weekend with a hands-on reception Friday evening, featuring engaging workshops on plant propagation and flower arranging. Led by Karen Mitchell and Courtney Schmidt, and supported by a fantastic team of Extension professionals, the evening was both educational and inspiring.

EMG's practicing flower arranging at the reception.

Saturday’s main conference day welcomed approximately 150 Purdue EMG volunteers for a full day of networking and continuing education. The day began with John Orick, Purdue Extension Master Gardener State Coordinator, who offered opening remarks by sharing stories of impacts from successful Purdue EMG projects and asking attendees to share their answer to “What does it mean to be a Purdue Extension Master Gardener!” The event featured three breakout sessions, each offering five diverse educational topics. Attendees explored everything from season extension and wildlife management to composting and horticultural therapy. Purdue Extension EMG volunteers from Hendricks County gave tours of the demonstration gardens at the fairgrounds (see the full schedule). During the breaks, attendees enjoyed poster presentations showcasing successful volunteer projects from counties across the state.

Karen Mitchell presenting on the Grass to Garden program.

The conference concluded with a deeply moving presentation titled “Seeds of Second Chances: The Re-Entry Center Garden” by Ann Kline, Extension Educator from Noble County, and Purdue EMGs Bruce Kennedy, Jeff Hatcher, and Daniel Collar. Their story of training Indiana’s first re-entry program residents as Purdue EMG volunteers was a powerful testament to the transformative potential of horticulture and community service.

Ann Kline, Bruce Kennedy, Jeff Hatcher, and Daniel Collar speaking about Seeds of Second Chances.

Special Thanks

We extend heartfelt thanks to the planning committee: John Orick, Karen Mitchell, Pam Fisher, John Bonkowski (Purdue PPDL), Fred Whitford (Purdue Pesticides Program), and Purdue Extension ANR Educators Nikky Witkowski (Porter County), Carey Grable (Marion County), Courtney Schmidt (Miami County), and Jeff Pell (Hendricks County).

Thank you to our outstanding presenters: Karen Mitchell, Dr. Tom Creswell (PPDL), Austin Pearson (Midwest Regional Climate Center), Brian MacGowan (FNR), Carrie Tauscher (Crown Hill Cemetery), and Purdue Extension Educators Michele Jones, Carey Grable, Elysia Rodgers, Jayde Grisham, Jessica Riffle, Cora Hill, Ann Kline, along with Purdue EMGs Lea McClellen Ray, Judy Turner, John Baldwin, Bruce Reed, Steve Mayer, Dennis Nelson, Amanda Lucas, Debra Pease, Terri Tramm, Bruce Kennedy, Jeff Hatcher, and Daniel Collar.

And a special shout-out to our dedicated Extension volunteers who helped with set-up, registration, moderating, and tear-down: Amy Thompson, Jenna Nees, Gina Anderson, Lais McCartney, Heidi Potter, Nikky Witkowski, Amanda Bradshaw Burks, Jeff Pell, Andrea Hatfield, Shalee Bradley, Carey Grable, Courtney Schmidt, and Courtney Lockwood.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s conference a resounding success. Your passion and dedication continue to help others grow!