Lake County Master Gardeners: Success Story

Master Gardeners are a valuable asset to Purdue Extension – Lake County and the surrounding community. Listen to one of our educators and one master gardener talk about what the program is about and the impact they have in Lake County.

Tippecanoe County Master Gardeners: Demonstration and Community Gardens

Purdue Master Gardeners in Tippecanoe County along with Jeff Phillips, Extension Educator, ANR, Tippecanoe County, have developed demonstration gardens and community gardens at the Purdue Extension Office in Lafayette as well as at many other locations throughout the Lafayette/West Lafayette area. Purdue Master Gardener volunteers in partnership with Purdue Extension use these demonstration gardens to teach others about home horticulture. But, Purdue Master Gardeners also donate thousands of pounds of produce grown in the gardens to local food banks. This video shows an example of the impact that Purdue Master Gardener volunteers make on Indiana residents through their volunteer activities. Purdue Master Gardeners help others grow in their knowledge of home horticulture and gardening. These valued Purdue volunteers also improve the quality of life for many Indiana residents by providing nutritious food.

Madison County Master Gardeners: “Camp Dig-A-Lot”

Cindy Hanson, an Advanced Master Gardener in Madison County, leads Camp-Dig-A-Lot, a one-day gardening camp for children ages 7–11. The program combines hands-on activities like planting raised beds, craft projects, and garden safety lessons, all guided by dedicated volunteers. While the camp’s primary goal is teaching gardening skills, its impact goes far beyond—providing joy, healing, and confidence for young participants. For Cindy, a retired teacher, the experience rekindles her love for working with children and witnessing those unforgettable “light bulb” moments of learning.