The Cooperative Extension is now accepting applications for the 2009 Master Gardener volunteer program.
Those that want to learn more about gardening and have the desire to volunteer may want to consider being a Rowan County Master Gardener. Volunteering hours to the organization is a mandatory part of the program; however, the benefit of learning about horticulture greatly outweighs the volunteer commitment.
The program consists of 45 hours of classroom instruction on varied aspects of urban and commercial horticulture. The 2009 Master Gardener course outline includes: plant growth and development, soils and fertilizers, basic entomology, plant disease and control, lawn establishment and maintenance, vegetable production, home fruit production, urban pest management (animal control), landscape design and maintenance, perennials in the landscape plant propagation and organic gardening. Computer skills and utilization are a plus for those who participate. Classroom instruction may be augmented with field trips to local nurseries, public gardens, greenhouse operations and area producers.
There is no fee for the course except for printing costs and materials used in class. Participates must volunteer 45 hours of service back to the Cooperative Extension horticulture program as payment for the instruction. Volunteer hours will focus on existing Master Gardener educational programs and will also focus on outdoor gardening demonstrations, classroom instruction in public and private schools, garden columns and radio programs.
The program consists of 15 classes that are scheduled to meet on Wednesday afternoons, beginning Jan. 21, from 1-3:30 p.m. Outdoor laboratories and field trips may be a part of the learning exercises recommended for the course.
Applications are due in the Extension Office by 5 p.m. Jan. 9. To apply or find out other information about the program, visit www.rowanmastergardener.com and click on “Become a Master Gardener.”
A question and answer session will be held Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m.