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Master Gardeners volunteer more than 80,000 hours Iowa Master Gardeners, another Iowa State University Extension program, also is helping disseminate accurate Iowa gardening information throughout the state. “The primary function is to train the trainers — people going through the program — and get research-based information passed to the general public,” said James Romer, Master Gardener coordinator. “This is accomplished through local service group projects, county fairs, horticulture hotlines, articles for local newspapers and other educational activities.” Since the program began in 1977, approximately 7,500 Iowans in nearly all 99 counties have gone through the program and are recognized as skilled Master Gardeners and community volunteers. Currently there are 1,500 to 2,000 active members, Romer said. To become a Master Gardener, one must be interested in learning about gardening, attend a training program, provide 40 hours of local community volunteer service and be willing to help others. The volunteer service accumulated a record 80,123 hours in 2003, up more than 13,000 hours from the previous year. For more information, visit the Master Gardener Web site. |
The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension. Laura Sternweis, editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures Last update: July 2004
* Iowa's
rural communities: * Biosafety Institute asks questions, finds answers * Peer groups offer a new way of neighboring * Iowa gardeners get 'in the zone' |
Master
Gardener Becky Litterer teaches youth
how to select plants for container gardens.