Everyone with any level of gardening interest is invited to join the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension-Woodbury County fall Master Gardener class beginning September 8. The class will continue meeting Tuesday and Thursday evenings into November. Class sessions will be held at ISU Extension-Woodbury County, 4301 Sergeant Road, #209, Sioux City. This will be the only time this class is offered until next fall.
Download a Master Gardener registration brochure.
“This will be our twenty-sixth Master Gardener class here at Woodbury County Extension,” said Woodbury County Horticulturist Mimi Shanahan. “Since 1986 over 500 area residents have become certified Master Gardeners through Woodbury County Extension.” The class is open to everyone with any level of gardening expertise.
Some of the subjects covered in class include
An all day trip to the plant pathology and entomology labs on the Iowa State University campus in Ames provides hands on experience.
In addition to the class time, each participant commits to 40 hours of volunteer service on garden related projects in the community. In 2007, Master Gardeners contributed over 2,370 volunteer hours of their horticulture skills to Siouxland, a labor donation of nearly $42,200 to our Woodbury County communities.
Projects have included community gardening projects at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Latham Park, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, amongst others. Plus, volunteers answer horticulture questions area residents call into Woodbury County Extension. Master Gardeners also assist in planning and implementation of the Siouxland Garden Show.
Registration deadline for the class is Friday, Aug. 28 with a registration fee of $155. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited to 18. To register for the class or to request a registration form be mailed to you, please email Woodbury County Extension Horticulturist Mimi Shanahan at mimishan@iastate.edu or call (712) 276-2157.
Iowa State University Extension—Woodbury County provides research-based information and education for communities, families, business and industry, agriculture and natural resources, and 4-H youth development .