2027 Statewide Virtual Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training

The Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program will hold a statewide virtual Extension Master Gardener Basic Training on Tuesdays, February 2 through May 4, 2027, from 6:30-8:30 PM ET / 5:30-7:30 PM CT via live webinars. Final exam given after May 4.  There will also be a weekly local connection hour with your region’s Extension Master Gardener coordinator. The day, time, and place for the local connection hour will be determined by your region’s EMG coordinator and could be in person, a virtual web meeting, or a combination of both (see meeting time information below).

Please note: Attendance at the live scheduled statewide webinars and cohort connections is required to complete the EMG Basic Training. Watching recorded sessions for an unexpected absence(s) should be discussed with the hosting EMG Regional Coordinator.

Tentative Statewide Webinar Schedule

Steps for Participating in the Training

Step 1: Application:  Deadline is January 13, 2027, 11:59 pm (ET)

Contact a hosting EMG Regional Coordinator and they will send you the application information (see list below). If you don’t see your county listed, you may be able to complete the training through one of the other regional cohorts listed below and transfer to your home county to volunteer. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate. 

Step 2: Registration and Fees (After your application is approved, you will receive registration and payment information from your host EMG Regional Coordinator.)

• $185.00 for an individual registration with print version of Purdue EMG Manual.
• $290.00 for two people sharing a print version of the Purdue EMG Manual, both will need application approval prior to registering and paying.
• Participants will be able to purchase a digital version of the manual for an additional $25.00.

Spring 2027 Virtual EMG Basic Training Regional Hosts and Contacts

(If you don’t see your county listed, you will be able to complete the training through one of the other regional cohorts listed below and transfer to your home county for volunteer service after completing the training.) 

Regional Cohorts:

• Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Pulaski, Jasper, Newton, White (Northwest Region)
  • Nikky Wikowski: nikky@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live virtual only, Tuesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 pm (ET)/7:30-8:30 pm (CT)
• St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko (North Region)
  • Emily Kresca: eluc@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live virtual only, Tentatively on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm (ET)
• LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Wabash, Huntington, Wells (Northeast Region)
  • Geoff Schortgen: gschortg@purdue.edu; Cora Hill: hill272@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live virtual only, Mondays 6:30 – 7:30 PM (ET)
• Miami, Howard, Tipton, Grant (North Central Region)
  • Mathias Ingle: rmingle@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live Virtual Only, TBD
• Tippecanoe, Benton, Warren, Fountain, Montgomery, Vermillion, Parke, Putnam, Vigo (West Central Region)
  • Adam Tyler: tylerat@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live Virtual Only, Monday, 12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)
• Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock (Central Region)
  • Carey Grable: cagrable@purdue.edu 
  • Cohort Connection: Live virtual only, Thursday 5:30PM to 6:30PM (ET)
• Madison, Delaware, Henry, Wayne (East Central Region)
  • Beth Vansickle: bvansickle@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: TBD
• Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Monroe, Brown, Bartholomew, Lawrence (South Central Region)
  • Cora Reinbolt: carter34@purdue.edu; Richard Beckort: rbeckort@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: In-person with virtual option, Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm (ET)
• Orange, Washington, Scott, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark (South Region)
  • Gina Anderson: gmanders@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: In-person, every other Wednesday, 1- 3 pm (ET) starting Feb 3 at the Purdue Extension Office, Washington County.
• Vanderburgh, Gibson, Posey, Warrick, Perry, Spencer (Southwest Region)
  • Sara Dzimianski: sdzimian@purdue.edu
  • Cohort Connection: Live Virtual Only, Thursday 8pm-9pm (ET) / 7pm – 8pm (CT)

If you have questions, please contact mastergardener@purdue.edu.

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 January 5,  2027. 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 January 5, 2027.