The purpose of the Hamilton County Master Gardener Association (HCMGA) a non-profit organization, shall be to promote the art, science, and pleasure of gardening in the community, in cooperation with the Cooperative Extension Service of Hamilton County, Indiana, and Purdue University.

The Master Gardener Program provides gardening knowledge to the community. Through the Master Gardener training sessions, you will become knowledgeable about a wide array of gardening subjects. This knowledge will increase your skills as well as enable you to share your skills with others.

As a Master Gardener, you can repay your community for the courses you take through volunteer work. You will work with other Master Gardeners and have the opportunity to participate in organized volunteer activities and/or develop programs within your community. Master Gardeners provide volunteer leadership and service to their community in gardening activities. This service consists of such things as answering gardening questions, conducting gardening schools, working on community beautification projects and other activities related to gardening. One of the exciting programs in Hamilton County is the GrowLab program in several elementary schools supported by the Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association.

In Indiana, the Master Gardener Program is conducted by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. The Hamilton County Extension Service is the local provider. This is just one of the ways your Cooperative Extension Service supports people helping people.

To become a Master Gardener you must complete the training session. For more information including cost, class schedule and dates go to http://www.ces.purdue.edu/Hamilton/files/master_gardeners.htm

Please direct any inquiries to: Bill Rice, Extension Educator Purdue Extension Hamilton County 2003 E. Pleasant St. Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 776-0854

If you are an avid gardener or just a novice and would like to join the Hamilton County Master Gardener Association, we would like to hear from you.

Please contact the Hamilton County Extension Office.

Once you have completed the Purdue Masster Gardener Course you are eligible to join The HCMGA volunteer organization. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month except for July, August and December. Fill in the application form and mail it to the address listed on the form.