Sunnyside Master Gardener Association provides volunteer service to southern Indiana counties through (1) community beautification, (2) education in good gardening practices, and (3) sharing our common interest in and love of gardening.  After you have completed your Master Gardener training and internship, you can become a member of the Sunnyside Master Gardener Association.

 

Benefits include the following:

• Sunnyside Thymes, a monthly newsletter prepared by Sunnyside Master Gardener volunteers, which contains local and regional gardening information, details of upcoming meetings, articles on good gardening practices, and other gardening-related items. The newsletter is available in email format.

 

• Monthly Meetings Each year, the program planning committee organizes gardening and garden-related presentations as well as garden tours for the membership. The meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday evening of each month.

 

• Advanced Training   Each year, Master Gardeners have opportunities for advanced training to increase their knowledge of gardening. Past advanced training programs have included classes on landscaping, roses, ornamental grasses, bulbs, rain gardens, and many other interesting subjects. Advanced training also includes tours of local and regional gardens. All of these events provide the hours required to help maintain active Purdue Master Gardener
  status.

 

• Discounts at Local Nurseries   Another benefit of Sunnyside Master Gardener membership is a discount at local nurseries and other gardening-related vendors. Though the discount varies from vendor to vendor, typically Sunnyside Master Gardeners receive 10% on their plant purchases.

 

• Fellowship Membership also brings many intangible benefits, such as the camaraderie of fellow gardeners.

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Sunnyside Master Gardener Association Membership Criteria

Anyone who has earned their Master Gardener certification is eligible for membership in the Sunnyside Master Gardener Association. This means completing the Master Gardener training and the initial required volunteer hours. 

 

All members are required to maintain an “active” status as a Master Gardener – 12 hours of volunteer work each year as well as 6 hours of advanced training, an annual background check and signed volunteer agreement form.

 

Dues, $30 a year, are due by December 1st for the upcoming year.