Join the 2013 Linn County Extension Master Gardener Class
By Michelle Kenyon Brown, Iowa State University Extension Linn County Master Gardener Coordinator
Master Gardeners are a dedicated group of trained volunteers willing to share their horticulture knowledge, a love of gardening, an enthusiasm for learning, and a commitment to helping others. Linn County Residents are invited to apply to become a Master Gardener and become a member of the FIRST EVER SPRING 2013 Master Gardener Class.
Are you an avid gardener who enjoys learning more about gardening, plants, and horticulture? Would you like to meet people who share your interest in gardening? If so, you may be interested in becoming a Master Gardener.
What is a MASTER GARDENER? Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens. They are willing to learn more and share their knowledge about horticulture. Master Gardeners attend classes taught by Iowa State University Extension staff and specialists. The program offers 40 hours of instruction that covers topics such as lawn care, flower and vegetable gardening, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit crops, and houseplants. Training also covers insects, disease, and weed control, soil and plant nutrition, as well as pesticide safety.
In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer 40 hours of service back to their local county extension programs by the end of the calendar year following completion of class hours. The type of service done by Master Gardeners includes: educating youth and the community, answering questions on the Hortline, organizing horticulture-related events, and planting demonstration educational garden plots. Once the 40 hours are completed, a Master Gardener is only required to volunteer 12 hours a year plus 6 educational hours a year to stay certified.
Training for the 2013 Master Gardener class is being offered by the Linn County Extension Office during January-March. The fee for the classes is $150.00. All interested individuals need to contact the Iowa State University Linn County Extension Office at 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, phone 319-377-9839, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/page/become-linn-county-master-gardener or email mkenyonb@iastate.eduto receive an application or for more information. The application deadline is December 10, 2012.
Applicants to the Linn County program must be residents of Linn County. There are currently 160 active Master Gardeners serving Linn County involved in nearly 30 projects as well as several other community programs.
