Master Gardener classes coming up soon

By Nathan Winter
Extension educator – agricultural productions systems
McLeod/Meeker counties
The Master Gardener program is a volunteer program in which local people use their abilities and knowledge to volunteer in their communities. Many Master Gardeners volunteer by answering gardening questions in their communities. Other activities include staffing booths at fairs and home and garden shows, speaking at gardening programs, writing horticulture articles, speaking on the radio, and working with youth gardeners to name a few.

This program is an excellent opportunity to not only share your knowledge, but also add to your gardening knowledge. Master Gardeners do not have to be knowledgeable in all garden areas, but they should have some basic knowledge regarding gardening.

Applications to become a Master Gardener will be sent out to those that are interested. The application needs to go through your local extension office before you can register for the Master Gardener Core Course. The Master Gardener Core Course is an in-depth training with a vast amount of information. The information is essential to help answer the frequently asked questions in your community. The program fee for taking the classroom version of the course for Master Gardener Interns is $200 and the online version of the course has a program fee of $250.

Contact your local Extension Office on becoming a Master Gardener in your community today. Below is some of the main information on the core course. For more detailed information be sure to check out the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Website: http://www.mg.umn.edu/becomeamg.html. If you are in McLeod or Meeker County send me an e-mail at wint0146@umn.edu.

2010 Core Course Dates and Locations

Online Class – (Jan. 12 – May 7)
Registration Deadline: Dec. 29, 2009

University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus
Jan. 12 to Feb. 6, 2010
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Registration Deadline: Dec. 29, 2009

Pine City, Minnesota
Jan. 26 to Feb. 20, 2010
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Registration Deadline: Jan. 5, 2010

Mankato, Minnesota
Feb. 20 to March 30, 2010 (Class will not be held March 20)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Registration Deadline: Jan. 5, 2010