See the difference your support makes!

As part of our mission to “Help Others Grow,” the Lake County Master Gardeners Association offers scholarships and community grants that promote education, horticulture, and environmental stewardship.

Whether we’re supporting students pursuing careers in plant-related fields or funding gardening projects that serve Lake County residents, we’re proud to invest in the growth of our community.

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💚 LCMGA Grant Program

The Lake County Master Gardeners Association offers grants from $200 to $600 to Lake County, Indiana businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations that need funds for new or existing gardening projects. An educational aspect is preferred but not required.

The purpose of the Grant Program is to promote the objectives of the Lake County Master Gardeners Association by providing support for local gardening efforts. Awards are dependent on available funds and the number of applicants each year. Eligibility requirements and the application process are outlined in the Grant Application.

👉 The 2025 application period is now closed. All grants have been awarded. We will begin accepting applications again in January 2026. Please check back for updated dates and information.

For questions, contact lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com or the Purdue Extension Office at (219) 755-3240.

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🎓 LCMGA Scholarship Program

The Lake County Master Gardeners Association, in collaboration with Purdue University’s Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Department, proudly continues its scholarship program for students in horticulture, agriculture, and related fields.

💰 To date, LCMGA has awarded over $73,000 in scholarships.

👉 The 2025 scholarship has been awarded. Applications will reopen in late 2025 for the 2026 academic year.

Scholarship Application Details:

   •   Students must apply through the Purdue College of Agriculture Current Student Scholarship Application (https://ag.purdue.edu/department/hla/academics/scholarships.html )

   •   Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University.

   •   Next application window opens: Fall 2025.

🎓 2024–2025 Scholarship Recipient: Julia Betts

Each year, we proudly support a Lake County student pursuing horticultural studies.

This year’s recipient, Julia Betts, is studying Horticulture at Purdue and gaining hands-on experience in greenhouse production.

👉 Read more about Julia and her journey »

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🌟 Funding Sources

LCMGA’s grants and scholarships are made possible by the proceeds from our community activities:

   •   🌱 Annual Plant Sale

   •   🌸 Garden Walk

   •   🎡 Participation in the Lake County Fair

We are also grateful for support from organizations like the Northwest Indiana Beekeepers Association and other generous donors.