CARTHAGE, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension in Jasper County is conducting its annual Missouri Master Gardener training program, beginning Sept. 11, and ending in mid-October.
“The program contains ten sessions, each designed to train volunteers in various aspects of horticulture,” said Robert Balek, horticulture specialist with MU Extension and coordinator of the local Master Gardener program.
Master Gardeners participate in a wide variety of community service projects and assist MU Extension in providing unbiased educational information to the public.
A person wanting to become a Master Gardener is required to attend the training sessions (30 hours of training), and contribute 30 hours of volunteer service to Master Gardener projects during the following year. The fee for the training is $150.
The training sessions begin with an orientation to the Master Gardener program and include science-based information on plants and their environment to include soils and fertility, as well as pest and disease identification and management.
Sessions continue with practical gardener training in fruit and vegetable production, selection and establishment and care of woody and herbaceous landscape plants, home lawn establishment and maintenance, and plant propagation.
The Core Training Program has limited enrollment. The application deadline is Sept. 7. To apply for a space in the program or to obtain further information, contact Robert Balek, Courthouse Basement, Carthage, call 417-358-2158 or e-mail: jasperco@missouri.edu. Additional details can be found online at http://extension.missouri.edu/jasper.
— Robert Balek, University of Missouri Extension
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