Become a Linn County Master Gardener
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 2012 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, answering horticulture related questions at a booth at public events, and planting demonstration educational garden plots. Once the 40 hours are completed, Interns become Master Gardeners and are then only required to volunteer 12 hours a year plus 6 educational hours a year to stay certified.
Training for the 2012 Master Gardener class is being offered by the Linn County Extension Office during January-March 2013. The fee for the classes is $150.00. (Financial assistance to cover 50% of the class fee may be available. Please inquire if you are in great need of financial assistance.) If you are interested in applying to be a part of the program, we ask that you first read all the information about this year’s Master Gardener program, which includes verifying that your schedule would allow you to be a part of the 2012 class training dates and allow you to be a part of the 2013 class training dates. Then, complete (by December 10, 2012) the Linn County Master Gardener program application and mail to ISU Linn County Extension, 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302 or return application by email to Michelle Kenyon Brown (mkenyonb@iastate.edu.) If you have questions, please email Michelle or call her at 319-377-9839. allow you to be a part of the 2013 class training dates
