Northwest
Region
 |
 |
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: February 9, 2012
Title: Master Gardener Classes for 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 12 weeks.
After an introductory class, Master Gardeners are taught 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 8th, University of Missouri Extension
will be starting another series of training classes.
We will be meeting on Thursday evenings, from 6 to 9 PM, at several
locations around Northwest Missouri.
Classes will be taught by interactive television.
Each location will be able to ask questions of the instructors and
communicate with other training sites.
Tentative training locations include Chillicothe, Mound
City, Plattsburg, and St. Joseph.
The selection of final sites will depend on the number of applications received
for each site.
Master Gardeners receive a core manual of class topics 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 core manual is not required.
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 March 2nd.
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
Return to
Newspaper Columns
Return to
Northwest
Missouri Horticulture Home Page
|
|
|||
 |
Horticulture for Northwest
Missouri |
 |
|
|
Tim Baker |
Tom Fowler |
||