Row one (seated from left): Jennifer Barton, Brooke Huffman, Kaci Zolman, Lisa Barber. Row two: Brandon Cordell, Janice Korepta, Kim Nance, Ethan Rutherford. Row three: Linda Lent, Amy Muncy, Cheryl Stephenson and Joel Downs. (Photo provided)

By KELLY L. KECHAMAN
Extension Educator Purdue Extension, Kosciusko County

The Master Gardener program is one way that the Purdue Extension puts knowledge to work and helps people grow throughout Indiana. The program helps gardeners grow by providing them with intensive training in horticultural principles. Participants, in turn, share their knowledge by providing volunteer leadership and service to their communities.

In 2014 we had 13 trainees complete the 13-week session and pass a final examination of what they learned. The following are now Master Gardener Interns: Ethan Rutherfod, Akron; Joel Downs, Claypool; Cheryl Stephenson, Etna Green; Brooke Huffman, Mentone; Jennifer Barton, Syracuse; Lisa Barber, Warsaw; Mary Jo Bazeley, Warsaw; Brandon Cordell, Warsaw; Janice Korepta, Warsaw; Linda Lent, Warsaw; Amy Muncy, Warsaw; Kim Nance, Warsaw; and Kaci Zolman, Warsaw.

Topics covered by the participants were soils, plant nutrition, plant science, animal damage control, insect pests, lawns, annuals, perennials, trees, indoor gardening, plant diseases, vegetables, woody plant material, composting, pesticide use and safety and weeds.

To become a Master Gardener the interns now have to complete 36 hours of community service. The volunteer commitment can be fulfilled by helping the Extension Service help other gardeners by giving talks to community organizations, plant clinics, staffing telephones and similar services. Participants are free to decide what area of service they want to work in. Some of the activities the Master Gardeners in Kosciusko County participate in are a Garden Walk, Gateway to Gardening educational symposium, educational booths at the home show and the 4-H fair, Ag Day & Taste of Ag activities, and many more. The group is finalizing planning the 18th annual Gardening Away the Winter Blues series in March. These are just a few of the numerous projects that Master Gardeners are involved in year round.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener or the above listed programs, please contact the Kosciusko County Extension Office at 372‑2340 or stop by the office in the Courthouse Annex (old First Christian Church at the corner of Lake and Main Streets) or visit our website at www.extension.purdue.edu/kosciusko.