History

Founded in 1989

Our Mission, History, and Qualifications for Membership

Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington, Indiana

Monroe County
Courthouse in
Bloomington, Indiana

The Monroe County Master Gardener Association, Inc. was organized in 1989 as a 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Indiana, after the Master Gardener program was reestablished in the county.

The goals of the association are to provide public education as outlined in the state guidelines, and to assist in the certification of those who have successfully completed training by offering volunteer opportunities.

Membership is open to anyone who has completed training in Indiana, or is currently enrolled in the program. Those who have trained out of state may also apply for membership.

The Master Gardener Program is "helping others grow" by providing intensive education in horticultural principles. Through the Master Gardener training sessions members become knowledgeable about a wide array of gardening subjects. This knowledge increases skills as well as enabling volunteer leadership and service to the community in gardening activities.

In Indiana, the Master Gardener Program is administered by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service through participating county offices. You can read about the program in great detail on the Purdue Master Gardener website. The instruction is provided without charge by local, county, and state specialists in horticulture. There is a fee for supplies which become your personal reference collection. Our Intern Guide describes the steps required to become a certified master gardener in Monroe County.

Learn More about Becoming a Master Gardener Intern

Persons who are interested in some aspect of gardening may apply for acceptance to the Master Gardener Program. Intern classes occur on an annual basis. Contact our office for more information about applying to the next intern class.

What Motivates a Master Gardener?

  • I always had a flower garden wherever we lived; my thought was to leave something for someone else to enjoy. As long as I can still bend in the middle, you’ll find me in the garden!

    — Linda Heath, certified 2008/Gold 1000

  • A showcase of the Missouri Botanical Garden is the ‘Climatron,’ a geodesic dome conservatory filled with rainforest plants. As a child, walking through the conservatory filled with tropical plants, especially in the dead of winter, got me hooked on growing houseplants which continues to this day.

    — Ed Kitchen, certified 2018/Advanced

  • MCMGA provides an opportunity to learn more about topics that I might not pursue on my own. The group has interesting people, fun field trips, and opportunities for me to personally blossom.

    — Penny Austin, certified 2008/Bronze

  • I love to grow anything edible and I love to let nature take its course and to work with her, not against her. I would say that my biggest dream is to have a garden in each community so that everyone can understand how precious gardens are.

    —Lino MIoni, certified 2022/Advanced