OUR HISTORY - OUR TRAINING - WHAT WE DO - HOW TO BECOME A Master Gardener

The original Master Gardener program was created in 1972 in Seattle, Washington in response to the overwhelming demand for home gardening information. The story goes that the local Extension Agent had a thought—if he could train local gardening enthusiasts, they could in turn answer many of the community’s questions, allowing him the time to devote to questions dependent on his advanced skills and knowledge.  

The formal Master Gardener program was started by Washington State University Extension in King and Pierce counties in 1973 and has since been adopted in all 50 states and parts of Canada.

Indiana’s program began in 1978 with four participating counties:  Allen, Lake, Marion and Vandenburg.  Currently, many Indiana counties have active Extension Master Gardener programs.  

The Program provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects. In turn, participants volunteer and help others grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities. On September 27. 2010, Extension Master Gardeners in Lake County, IN, filed articles of incorporation with the State of Indiana, as a 501c3, known as Lake County Master Gardeners Association (LCMGA)   

LCMGA is composed of volunteers who have received intensive education in horticulture through the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program.  The Program educates volunteers who provide the citizens of Indiana with a resource of information, giving them a chance to grow in their understanding of the joy and the challenges of home gardening. 

For more information about the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program, please see https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/master-gardener/what-is-the-purdue-master-gardener-program/ 

Purdue Extension Master Gardeners offer a variety of services and projects for the benefit of the communities we serve.  See the Events and Activities tab for more detailed information.  In summary, our efforts include: 

• Providing direct communication to the public through our Help Line by answering their gardening questions
• Offering guidance and expertise at public events
• Supplying publications and links to more detailed, research-based downloadable publications 
• Planning and organizing events that showcase gardening and allow us to raise funds in support of our scholarship and grant programs
• Providing free lectures and presentations in areas related to gardening  
• Providing plants and landscaping new Habitat for Humanity® houses.  
• Planting, maintaining and caring for specific public gardens and offering support and information to community gardens

First, learn more about the purpose and history of the Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program by clicking Here!

• Step 1: Find a Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program near you by visiting the 2020 Purdue EMG Basic Training Upcoming Events page or by clicking on the appropriate icon on the map  at https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/master-gardener/mg-programs-in-indiana/ or searching by city.  In Lake County, call (219) 755-3240.

• Step 2: Contact the County Extension Master Gardener Coordinator who will provide registration information and a copy of the Purdue EMG Program Policy Guide (MG-5 –W) and volunteer application and agreement form (Form EMG-1). Ask your local EMG County Coordinator for more information and required form.  In Lake County, call (219) 755-3240.

• Step 3: Complete the volunteer application and agreement form and return it to the local Purdue Extension office with registration fee payment and any additional registration information. You will also be asked to show evidence of a government-issued photo ID.

• Step 4: Get connected with other gardeners and learn more about horticulture by attending a series of weekly classes, each lasting 3 to 4 hours.

• Step 5: Complete the required training and pass an exam with a score of 70% or above to become a Purdue EMG Intern!

• Step 6: Give back to your community by volunteering at least 40 hours to be certified as a Purdue Extension Master Gardener. (Some county requirements may vary, talk to your EMG County Coordinator for details.)

For more information about the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program, you may also read Purdue Extension Publication HO-184.