Pictured in front, from left, are Melanie Kosins, Sarah Marsh, Barbara Bolles, and Kelsey Scott. Pictured in back, from left, are Bill Hoy, Sallie Hoy, Mark Via, Brent Mock, Cheryl Myers, Penny Susaraba, Marthene Burnau, Allison Robie and Gary Burnau.

KOSCIUSKO — 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.

This fall, 13 trainees completed a 12-week session and passed a final examination of what they learned. The following are now Master Gardener Interns: Cheryl Myers and Allison Robie, Leesburg; Penny Susaraba, Silver Lake; Barbara Bolles, Gary Burnau, Marthene Burnau, Bill Hoy, Sallie Hoy, Brent Mock, Kelsay Scott, Mark Via, Warsaw; and Melanie Kosins and Sarah Marsh, Winona Lake.

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 educational booths at the 4-H fair and Tomato Festival, Ag Day and Taste of Ag activities, and many more. The group is planning for the 22nd 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 (574) 372-2340, stop by the office in the courthouse annex at the old First Christian Church, visit the website, or like the Master Gardeners on Facebook.