Purdue Master Gardener program seeking new crop of volunteers

If you want to sharpen your gardening skills and you have an interest in sharing your knowledge with others, Purdue University has the ideal program for you.  

Beginning Monday, August 13, 2018, a Purdue Master Gardener Program training series will be offered for residents of Washington County and surrounding area.  The Purdue Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program that provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects.  In turn, participants volunteer, representing Purdue University.  As volunteers, participants grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities.

Training will be held on Mondays, August 13 through November 5 (excluding Monday, September 3 for Labor Day) from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Washington County Government Building Meeting Room in Salem (806 Martinsburg Rd.). Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, and the culture of vegetable, flower, landscape and fruit plants.  

Materials and expenses for the program range from $165 - $190 per participant, depending on material format selected. This fee covers such items as reference notebooks, mailings and name badges.  These materials all become part of the Master Gardener’s personal collection.  All registrations are due by Wednesday, August 1.  NEW for 2018, the Washington County Master Gardener Organization, Good Earth Master Gardeners, will be sponsoring each participant for $65 for the printed educational materials!

While the class will be encouraged to create new educational outreach programs, there are already plenty of opportunities for which volunteers are needed. Some of these projects include the staffing information booths at gardening events, teaching public education classes, speaking to local clubs and organizations, assisting with hands-on demonstration gardens.  

If you would like an application to join our league of volunteers or have questions about the program, contact Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-883-4601 or email dhowellw@purdue.edu.

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