Master Gardeners Program offers wealth of learning

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By Portia Williams

[email protected]

GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. — A Master Gardener Program will be held at the Greenup County Cooperative Extension Office (GCEO), beginning Oct. 6 through Nov. 23, 2015, at the Greenup County Extension Office, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Linda Hieneman, of the GCEO, said the Master Gardener Program is a great program which offers learning opportunities.

“The curriculum is graded by the University of Kentucky, based on years of research there. Each week we do a different class, and it is for those who want to know more about gardening, or the understanding of plants, and how things grow.

She also said the Master Gardeners classes can serve participants socially.

“It is also a great way to meet people that maybe have the same interests as you, as home gardening, or growing your own flowers, or vegetables,” she said. “So, it is kind of neat to get that group together, and to watch them learn together.”

After completion of the program, participates can continue learning through the Master Gardeners organization.

“At the end of the class we actually have an organization that they can join, which is the Greenup County Master Gardeners organization, and they can join that, and continue their learning,” she said.”After the class you do community service hours, which requires 30 hours for the educational program that you’ve gone through. The 30 hours may sound like a long time, but actually, they usually get their 30 hours in very quickly. Then, to maintain the title of Master Gardener, you do have to continue 10 hours of community service each year doing beautification projects, or a lot of the Master Gardeners help teach the class that they have gone through.”

According to the Greenup County Extension Office, Master Gardener has an interest in all types of gardening, such as ornamental or vegetable, wants to teach others to garden, and is trained by Cooperative Extension Service personnel.

As a Master Gardener you will help County Extension Agents reach more residents who have gardening problems by working in information booths at community events, teaching horticulture to beginning gardeners, and conducting community service projects.

To become a Master Gardener you must successfully complete the training program and volunteer 30 hours of time using your training.

There is a $60 fee for the class to cover a textbook. There is a minimum of 10 students per class for class to be held. For more information regarding the upcoming Master Gardeners class, contact Linda Hieneman by phone at 606-836-0201, or by email at: [email protected].

Greenup County Master Gardener applications and course fees are being accepted through Friday, Sept. 25, 2015; and are available at the Extension Office located at 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, Ky.

Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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