{"id":12256,"date":"2025-11-12T15:51:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T20:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/hla\/sites\/master-gardener\/?page_id=12256"},"modified":"2026-04-03T11:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:26:23","slug":"become-a-master-gardener","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/hla\/sites\/master-gardener\/become-a-master-gardener\/","title":{"rendered":"Become an Extension Master Gardener"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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The Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program is an integral part of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and provides the citizens of Indiana a chance to grow. \u00a0The original Master Gardener program was created in 1973 in Seattle, Washington in response to the overwhelming demand for home gardening information. Indiana\u2019s program began in 1978 with 4 participating counties. Currently, over 50 Indiana counties have active Extension Master Gardener programs.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Did you know?<\/h3>\n

In 2025, there were over 2,700 active Purdue Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Indiana, and these volunteers contributed more than 167,000 volunteer hours worth more than $5.0 million! \u00a0And, there were over 400 new Purdue Extension Master Gardener interns trained in 2025.<\/p>\n

Just some examples of Purdue Extension Master Gardener volunteer activities in local Indiana communities:<\/p>\n