2025 Purdue Extension Master Gardener State Conference

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

“Beyond the Garden Gate” – Sharing the Knowledge of Gardening with Others!

The Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program is pleased to announce the 2025 Purdue EMG State Conference to bring us together to enjoy learning and interacting with fellow Extension Master Gardeners from all parts of Indiana! 

We hope Purdue EMG’s will mark their calendars for September 12-13, 2025 to come together in the Conference Center at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, IN! 

Please share this information with fellow Purdue EMG volunteers! 

Thank you for all you do as a Purdue EMG volunteer or Coordinator!

All the best,

John Orick, Purdue EMG State Coordinator (Planning committee chair)

_____________________________________________________

Educational sessions are approved for Purdue EMG education hours. Please report those to your EMG County Coordinator! (About 2.5 hours for the reception and 6 hours for Saturday’s sessions, if all were attended.)

September 12, 2025 – Reception: Hands-on Horticulture workshop and a time to mingle with other Purdue EMG volunteers!

North and South Halls of the Conference Center (#9 on the map linked below), Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, IN

Join us for an engaging evening reception filled with hands-on horticulture fun! Enjoy some tasty hors d’oeuvres and fellowship while learning two practical activities you can take back to your community. This interactive workshop focuses on plant propagation and floral design, equipping you with the skills, tools, and curriculum to implement these programs locally. Designed for all ages, these activities support garden-based learning and spark curiosity about plants. Come away inspired and ready to grow your community outreach efforts!

(All times Eastern Time)

5:30 p.m. – Doors Open

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  – Reception Activities 

 September 13, 2025 – Conference Program

Conference Center (#9 on the map linked below), Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, IN

(All times Eastern Time)

9:30 a.m.  Check-in for Conference (Refreshments served in North Hall)

10:00 a.m.  Opening Session 

• Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program Stories of Impact! – John Orick, Purdue EMG State Coordinator (South Hall)

10:30 a.m.  Session 1

• Tours of Hendricks County Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens – Purdue EMGs, Hendricks County (Demo Gardens Outside)
• Container Gardening and Design – Carey Grable, Purdue Extension Educator, Marion County (South Hall)
• Planning a Demonstration Garden: Organization and Digital Tools for Garden Success – Steve Mayer, Bruce Reed, John Baldwin, Purdue EMGs, Marion and Hamilton Counties (Classroom A)
• Grass to Garden: Growing Community-Based Gardens  – Karen Mitchell, Home Horticulture Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University (Conference Rooms 1 and 2)
• Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables in Home Gardens  – Tom Creswell, Clinical Engagement Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University (Classrooms B and C)

11:30 a.m.  Lunch provided with registration (North and South Halls)

1:00 p.m.   Session 2

• Tours of Hendricks County Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens – Purdue EMGs, Hendricks County (Demo Gardens Outside)
• Composting 101 – Michelle Jones, Purdue Extension Educator, Morgan County (Conference Rooms 1 and 2)
• Rooted in Wellness: Gardening for a Healthier Mind –Elysia Rodgers, Purdue Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resources, Dekalb County (Classroom A)
• Gardening with Weather Extremes – Austin Pearson, Service and Outreach Climatologist, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University (South Hall)
• Season Extension: Techniques for the Home Garden–  Jayde Grisham, Purdue Extension Educator, Marion County (Classrooms B and C)

2:00 p.m. Poster Session and Break (See details below and how to submit a proposal for your county!) (North Hall) (Afternoon refreshments served)

2:45 p.m.  Session 3

• Tours of Hendricks County Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens – Hendricks County EMGs (Demo Gardens Outside)
• Problem Wildlife and Animal Pests – Brian MacGowan, Wildlife Extension Specialist, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University (South Hall)
• Food Preservation: What’s Right for You – Jessica Riffle, Purdue Extension Educator, Health and Human Sciences, Fulton County (Classroom A)
• To Shovel or to Spade: That is the Question – Carrie Tauscher, Arboretum Director, Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN (Classrooms B and C)
•  Operating a Phoneline/Email Service: Answering the Public’s Questions – Panel Discussion, Purdue Extension Educators and EMG volunteers (Conference Rooms 1 and 2)

3:45 p.m.  Break

4:00 p.m.  Closing Presentation 

• Seeds of Second Chances: the Re-Entry Center Garden – Ann Kline, Purdue Extension Educator, Noble County, Bruce Kennedy, Purdue EMG volunteer, Noble County, Jeff Hatcher, Purdue EMG volunteer, Noble County, and Daniel Collar, Purdue EMG volunteer, Noble County (South Hall)

• • Step beyond the garden gate and into a place you might never expect—where incarcerated men are growing more than just vegetables. In this powerful closing session, discover how the Chain O’Lakes Community Re-Entry Center partnered with Purdue Extension and local Master Gardeners to offer full EMG certification, hands-on training, and leadership opportunities to justice-involved individuals. Learn how this first-of-its-kind program turns students into teachers, transforms gardens into gateways for re-entry, and shows what’s possible when you plant seeds beyond your own garden gate!

4:30 pm  Adjourn

________________________________________________________________

Registration

Registration is now CLOSED

View the design for the 2025 Purdue EMG Conference T-Shirt.

_________________________________________________________________

Call for Poster Presentations by Purdue EMG Groups! (NEW!)

This year at the 2025 Purdue EMG State Conference space will be provided for a poster session to highlight successful Purdue EMG projects. Participating Purdue EMG programs are invited to showcase an EMG project in their community by preparing a poster that presents details about the project and impacts of the project for the community.

For more information and poster proposal submission form: 2025 Purdue Extension Master Gardener State Conference Poster Session

Poster proposal submissions are now closed!  

_________________________________________________________________

Hotels

Hotel reservations at these rates available until August 13, 2025. 

Hampton Inn, Avon, IN – $159.00 per night

Fairfield Inn and Suites, Avon, IN – $149.00 per night

Comfort Inn, Avon, IN – $129.00 per night

_____________________________________________________________

Parking, Directions, and Maps

All sessions will be held in the Conference Center on the Hendricks County Fairgrounds except for the tour of the Hendricks Co EMG gardens. See map and information.

Hendricks County Fairgrounds Map (EMG State Conference location will be #9 on this map.)

Hendricks County Fairgrounds Information

Map of Conference Center – Room Locations

_________________________________________________________________

Things to do in Hendricks County!

Danville, IN – Visitor Information 

Avon, IN – Visitor Information 

_________________________________________________________________

Purdue EMG State Conference Planning Committee:

John Orick, Purdue EMG State Coordinator (Chair)

John Bonkowski, Senior Diagnostician, Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab

Pam Fisher, Purdue EMG Program Assistant

Carey Grable, Purdue Extension Educator, Marion County

Karen Mitchell, Purdue Home Horticulture Extension Specialist

Jeff Pell, Purdue Extension Educator, Hendricks County

Courtney Schmidt, Purdue Extension Educator, Miami County

Fred Whitford, Director, Purdue Pesticide Programs

Nikky Witkowski, Purdue Extension Educator, Porter County

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this event, please call John Orick at 765-496-7956 or by email at orick@purdue.edu no later than August 1, 2025. If you have dietary needs, please denote that during the conference registration process.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact John Orick at 765-496-7956 or by email at orick@purdue.edu no later than August 1, 2025.