Northwest
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NEWS RELEASE
By: Tim Baker
Northwest Region Horticulture Specialist
University of
Missouri Extension
102 Main, Suite 1
Gallatin, MO 64640
660-663-3232
BakerT@missouri.edu
Release Date: January 29, 2009
Title: “Master Gardener training to be offered in Northwest Missouri"
Extension horticulturists certainly have an interesting job. We get to work with everyone from commercial growers to homeowners. Another enjoyable group of folks are our Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners meet monthly to learn about gardening. They also serve the community through volunteer projects.
To become a Master Gardener, you don’t have to be an expert. All that is required is an interest in gardening, and a desire to serve your community using your gardening skills.
Before someone is certified as a Master Gardener, they must undergo extensive training for 13 weeks. After an introductory class, Master Gardeners are taught for 12 consecutive weeks about all aspects of gardening. Topics include plant growth, soils, diseases, insects, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and many others.
After they graduate, Master Gardeners are required to fulfill 30 hours of service to the community. That’s really not too difficult. Every month, Master Gardeners meet as a group, and come up with volunteer projects to work on.
Volunteer service can include many types of projects. Many groups focus on beautification projects in their communities. Some teach gardening knowledge through speaking or writing. Youth gardening projects, and working with the elderly are good projects as well. There are many other projects that are possible, and as long as it’s some type of community service, only your imagination is the limit.
Master Gardeners include adults of all ages and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have extensive knowledge, and others come ready to learn. But they all have two traits in common: a love of gardening and a desire to help others.
And Master Gardening is a lot of fun as well. Our monthly meetings are an enjoyable time to get together with fellow gardeners, and learn from each other.
On March 3rd, University of Missouri Extension will be starting another series of training classes. We will be meeting on Tuesday evenings, from 6 to 9 PM, at several locations around Northwest Missouri. Classes will be taught either by interactive television or web conferencing software. Each location will be able to ask questions of the instructors and communicate with other training sites.
Tentative training locations include Albany, Bethany, Chillicothe, Hamilton, Grant City, Maryville, Plattsburg, Princeton, and St. Joseph. The selection of final sites will depend on the number of applications received for each site.
Master Gardeners receive the complete “Grounds for Gardening” series of guide sheets from University of Missouri Extension. The cost for the training classes will be $95. If spouses attend together, the cost for the couple will be $165 if a second “Grounds for Gardening” is not required.
Ok, so you think the training sounds great, but you just don’t have the time for volunteer work. While we really encourage participation as Master Gardeners, sometimes people realistically just don’t have the time to spare. If you fall into this category, you may still take the classes. This year, the cost will be $360 if you just want to take the classes and not become a Master Gardener.
For more information about Master Gardening, and a registration form, please call Tim Baker in Gallatin at 660-663-3232, or Tom Fowler in St. Joseph at 816-279-1691. The deadline for registration is February 24th. You may also register and find more information on our web site at: http://extension.missouri.edu/nwregion/hort/
University Extension programs are open to all
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