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Living Life After 50
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Allen County edition ReAChing FoRt WAyne And SuRRounding CountieS Vol. 37, No. 2
Master Gardeners
‘spring’ By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer
Gardening is a favorite pastime for many people. But for those in the Purdue Extension Master Gardener program, plant care is serious business. Enthusiasts receive extensive training over several weeks. Then they share their knowledge with the community as volunteers for Purdue Extension. According to James Wolff, extension director for Allen County, the program is thriving. “The Master Gardening Program is one of our main programs with Purdue Extension. There’s a program in most counties across the state, to educate the community in good gardening practices, lawn care, and caring for the environment,” he said. In 2023, around 200 active participants clocked nearly 11,000 volunteer hours for the program. Much of that effort was related specifically to direct education, such as school programs, presentations for the Boys and Girls Clubs, and display gardens to educate the public. Master Gardener Glenn Hile majored in agronomy in college and has a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics. After retiring from more than 30 years working as a corn breeder, he retired in 2015. But he didn’t let the grass grow under his feet, as the saying goes, and began studies to become a Master Gardener. He finished the classes and became an active volunteer. The Allen County Master Gardener Plant Sale
into getting hands dirty
is one of the big events he’s involved with every May. “There are many dozens of plants for sale at the plant sales,” Hile said. “Hostas, iris, ferns, African violets, vegetables, you name it.” Participants who graduate from the program are required to attend yearly training and complete volunteer A MASTER GARDENhours to remain ER — Simone Alberding, certified through right, assists this woman Purdue. at a recent plant sale. Al“I have two roles, berding is a Master Garwhich are nondener with the Purdue Extraditional, I guess,” tension Master Gardener Hile said. “I am the Program in Allen County. speaker coordinaPhoto provided. tor, in which, when a group from the community desires a Master Gardener speaker for their organization, I try to find someone who’s knowledgeable and available.” He added, “The second is that I manage the display beehives we installed a couple of years ago. I am a beekeeper on the side. At the 2024 plant sale, I was there but I was selling honey and answering questions about observation hives.” People commonly want to know about planting for pollinators, how to prepare the garden for spring, and container gardening. Hile brings his Master Gardener skills home with him. “I have a personal vegetable Continued on page 3
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LOOK AT THESE — Master Gardener Teresa Causey, right, talks to a woman at a recent event. Photo provided.
READY TO SELL — Pictured are plants that were prepped and ready to sell at the Allen County Master Gardener Plant Sale in May. Photo provided.