Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training Course offered this fall

Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM

Are you interested in assisting Purdue Extension with home horticulture education in your local community? If so, consider taking the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training course offered in-person this fall at the North Liberty Community Center! The course is being hosted by Purdue Extension in Marshall, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties.

The main objective of the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program is to train volunteers to assist Purdue Extension with home horticulture education in local communities. Purdue Extension Master Gardeners receive training in horticulture to equip them to fulfill this educational role through volunteering in a variety of projects. The requirements for Purdue Extension Master Gardener certification include acceptance into the training through an application and screening process, payment of registration fee, completion of the EMG Basic Training which includes passing the open-book final exam with a score of 70% or higher and contributing at least 40 hours of volunteer service approved by the local EMG County Coordinator within two years. Purdue Extension Master Gardeners are also required to complete at least 12 volunteer and 6 continuing education hours every year in order to stay active.

Some of the topics covered in this 14-week course include: plant science, vegetable production, lawn care and weed identification, insect identification and control, woody ornamentals, and many more! Classes will be held on Thursday afternoons, 1:30 – 4:30 pm. in North Liberty. The course begins on August 21^th.

The cost of the course is $200 per person or $300 per couple, which includes class materials, a soil test, program maintenance, a nametag upon completion of your hours, a Purdue Extension Master Gardener Manual, and reference materials. Applications are due at your host county’s Extension Office by August 8^th! Space is limited, so sign up today. To receive an application or for additional information, contact Jesi Davenport jfurness@purdue.edu or 219-324-9407; Emily Evers at everse@purdue.edu or 574-235-9605; or Brieanna Slonaker at brieanna@purdue.edu or 574-935-8545.