Purdue Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) receive training in horticulture to equip them to volunteer to assist Purdue Extension with home horticulture education in local communities. The requirements for Purdue EMG certification include acceptance into the training through an application and screening process, payment of registration fee, completion of the EMG Basic Training which includes passing the open-book final exam with a score of 70% or higher, and contributing at least 40 hours of volunteer service approved by the local EMG County Coordinator within two years. Purdue Extension Master Gardeners are also required to complete at least 12 volunteer and 6 continuing education hours every year in order to stay active.
For 2022, there will be a Statewide Virtual Purdue EMG Basic Training from
February 1 – May 3, 2022 (does not includes final exam due date). Many counties have come together to offer this program which includes a local county connection hour. The statewide live webinars will be held on Tuesdays, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. In Putnam County, the local county connection hour will be on Wednesdays, from 6:00 – 7:00 pm each week. Most of the local county connection hours will be held virtual, but a few may be held in-person. To complete the course, we ask that you attend both the statewide virtual sessions and the local county connection hours.
Application and Registration Information
Please read the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program Policy Guide and complete, sign, and return the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Application and Agreement (Form EMG-1) to the Putnam County Extension Office (located at 12 Central Square, Greencastle, IN). All applicants are also required to consent to national and state sex and violent offender registry checks and provide evidence of a government issued photo ID to your local EMG County Coordinator or designated Purdue Extension staff. You may download the policy guide here: http://tinyurl.com/MGstateguide or contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411 to receive a copy.
Form EMG-1 & Government Issued Photo ID Due by January 11th.
Upon confirmation of acceptance of your application and providing evidence of government issued photo ID, an online registration link will be sent to you. The registration options are listed below:
- $180.00 for an individual registration with print version of Purdue EMG Manual.
- $280.00 for two people sharing a print version of the Purdue EMG Manual. (Sharing option works best for two people living in the same household.)
Purdue is committed to making all programs accessible to participants. If you require auxiliary aids or services, or if you have other program-related concerns, please contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411 at least 2 weeks prior to the program.
Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local
Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.
Upcoming Events:
January 4 – Extension Office reopens
January 4 – African Violets & the Gesneriad Family, virtual program, 7 pm,
https://tinyurl.com/PutMG22
January 10 & 24 – “Where Does Your Money Go?”, 2-3pm, Putnam County Public Library,
register at 765-653-8411
January 11 – Last day to apply for the virtual Master Gardener course starting February 1st
January 11 – Local Leadership: Running for Office, Fairgrounds, 6-8 pm, register at
https://tinyurl.com/run4officePutCo22
January 13, 20, 27 – Winter Walking group, 9-10am, Putnam County Fairgrounds, register
at 765-653-8411
January 20 & 27 – So You’ve Inherited a Farm, Now What?, virtual program, 6:30-8:30 pm,
$25, register at https://cvent.me/a8NVYZ
January 21 – Grow Your Farm Fridays, 9-11:30 am, Extension Office, $100, register by
Jan. 17th at https://cvent.me/l7RdwB
January 25 – Garden Conference, 6 pm, The Beef House, $50, register by Jan. 18th at
https://cvent.me/Wr5GyE
January 27 – Putnam County Extension & SWCD Annual Dinner, $5, 6:00 pm, Putnam Co.
Fairgrounds
