AMES, Iowa – Fall training for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program culminated with a full-day class on the Iowa State campus, Ames.
Three hundred trainees attended the class, which is part of the 40 hours of training Master Gardeners complete before beginning their community volunteer work. Currently, there are nearly 2,000 Master Gardeners active across Iowa.
“Class on campus is one of my favorite parts of the Master Gardener training,” said Susan DeBlieck, Master Gardener coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Soon-to-be volunteers from across the state come together to share project ideas, explore insects up close and practice identifying plant problems. The faculty and students love to teach these sessions because Master Gardener trainees are eager to learn and have positive attitudes.”
The class on the Ames campus combines hands-on learning with classroom presentations by Iowa State faculty and graduate students. Attendees participated in activities involving compost, pest identification, volunteer project planning and disease management.
Those who complete the Master Gardener training will do a one-year, 40-hour volunteer internship before officially becoming Master Gardener volunteers.
The next round of Master Gardener training will be held Fall 2019, with applications due before Sept. 1, 2019. More information will be posted on the Master Gardener’s website at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener .