Dec. 15, 2016 – Are you interested in learning how to improve your gardening skills and sharing your knowledge with others and volunteering? The University of Wisconsin–Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program may be for you. Master Gardener Volunteers in Washington County provide horticulture education, community service, and environmental stewardship for the community.
A flipped classroom approach will be used for training. Students will watch video lectures at home, and class will be a time for students to inquire about the lecture content, test their skills in applying knowledge, and interact with one another in hands-on activities.
Topics include: botany, soils, pest management, woody ornamentals, herbaceous ornamentals, entomology, plant pathology, weeds, lawn care, general gardening care, vegetables, fruits, and backyard wildlife. For students who do not have access to a computer, accommodations to watch the videos can be made at a variety of local libraries or at the Extension Office during normal business hours.
The training classes will be held Thursday evenings from Feb. 2, 2017 to April 20, 2017, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $135, which includes 36 hours of training, training manual, one-year memberships at the state and local level and background check.
Classes will be held at the Washington County Public Agency Center, 333 E. Washington Street, West Bend – Room 3224. Interested participants should to attend an orientation about the Master Gardener Volunteer program on January 19, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Class size is limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Registration forms and other information about the Washington County UW-Extension Master Gardener Program are available at: washington.uwex.edu or by contacting Stephanie Plaster at (262) 335-4477 or stephanie.plaster@ces.uwex.edu.