Educational Programs

The following are descriptions of some of the Agriculture and Natural Resource educational programs offered in Dearborn County.  For more information on these or other programs offered throughout the year in Dearborn County and the surrounding area, contact us. 

Aurora Community Garden                                    

The Aurora Community Garden Program is offered each year in the Aurora City Park, in cooperation with the City of Aurora.  Free 10' X 15' garden plots are available for individuals, families, and community groups.  The program provides individuals who lack garden space with an opportunity to grow their own vegetables.  The program also promotes gardening as fun, good exercise, and economical, and stresses the nutritional benefits of a diet that includes fresh vegetables.        

Fruit Growers' Workshop

Dearborn County has a significant amount of commercial and home fruit production.  The Fruit Growers' Workshop has been offered to keep local fruit producers up to date on production and management issues.  The workshop covers a variety of fruit types and topics and is held at various locations throughout the county.     

Backyard Basics

Backyard Basics is a multi-part workshop series offering a variety of educational topics for home gardeners and landscapers.  Past topics have included Organic Gardening, Preparing Your Garden for Spring, and Backyard Wildlife Habitats.  This program is offered each year at the Dearborn County Extension Office.   

What's Growing in My Pond??

This aquatic plant management workshop is held to provide landowners who have ponds with information on effective, research-based management of pond vegetation.  The workshop is held at a local lake where participants have the opportunity to take part in hands-on plant identification. 

Master Gardener 

The Master Gardener Program provides an opportunity for county residents to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural topics.  After completing the course, participants then volunteer in service and educational activities in their communities to become a fully certified Purdue Master Gardener.  The course is normally offered jointly with surrounding counties in September through December.

Estate Planning and Farm Transfer

To assist the farm families and landowners in Dearborn County who are dealing with issues regarding farmland or farm business transfer, estate planning workshops are held.  These workshops have covered family communication issues, transferring farm businesses, transferring farmland to non-farming family members, tax treatment of estate planning, trusts, etc. 

Private Applicator Recertification

Individuals who use restricted-use pesticides on property they own or rent are required to hold a Private Applicator Permit.  One of the requirements for the permit holder to renew the permit is to attend three recertification programs during the five year term of the permit.  These recertification programs are conducted by Purdue Extension personnel.  Locally, a recertification program is held in early December and as a part of the Dearborn County Conservation Tillage Workshop in the spring.  Recertification programs are also held throughout the year at the Southeast Purdue Ag. Center as well as in surrounding counties.  For information on the recertification programs or on obtaining a Private Applicator Permit, contact us.