Because I mention the master gardeners in each column, I thought
an explanation of the program might be useful. Also, the sign-up
season for 2004 is approaching, so if you are interested
…
Colorado State University sponsors the Colorado Master Gardener
program. Through this program, free information can be provided to
the public on gardening topics. Most county extension offices in
Colorado have volunteers available to answer questions and give
information.
Why and when did the master gardener program begin? The concept
originated in the early 1970s when Washington State University
Cooperative Extension Agent David Gibby was inundated with
gardening questions from the public.
Gibby joined with WSU plant pathology professor Arlen Davison
and decided that local gardeners could be trained to answer these
questions. In the first year, more than 300 people in two counties
applied to become master gardeners. Since then, the program has
grown to every state and most counties in the United
States.
Who are master gardeners? Anyone with an interest in plants,
gardening and volunteering can apply to the master gardener
program. The volunteer program enables participants to serve their
communities through horticultural education.
Prior education or experience is not required but unfortunately
there are not enough resources to accommodate everyone who applies
to the program.
Where can I sign up for the master gardener program? To receive
an application, call the Douglas County CSU Extension office at
(720) 733-6930. Individuals who request applications will receive
one in late August or early September; the completed applications
should be sent to the Douglas County Extension Office by Oct.
15.
What are the requirements of the master gardener program? Each
applicant is required to go through an informal interview;
interviews take place in November. First-year master gardeners –
apprentices – must attend 10 classes. These classes are one day a
week from January through the beginning of March; most classes run
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CSU professors, specialists and extension staff teach the
Colorado Master Gardener program.
A fee of $100 is required of every participant upon acceptance
into the program. In return, each participant will receive a master
gardener resource notebook and handouts given out by instructors at
each class.
Financial assistance is available if needed.
The winter training includes courses on plant growth and
development, plant identification, soils, soil amendments,
fertilizers, irrigation management, WaterWise gardening, native
plants, basic entomology, insect identification, plant pathology,
diagnostic process, pesticide issues, tree pest management, care of
woody plants, turf management, weed management, herbaceous plants
and vegetables.
The emphasis of the information is practical, yet research
based.
Apprentice master gardeners are required to complete at least 50
volunteer hours in the first year. Advanced master gardeners –
second year and beyond – are required to do 24 hours of volunteer
hours.
In exchange for the training, master gardeners agree to
volunteer for the Douglas County Extension office. Volunteer hours
include answering questions from gardeners in the Douglas County
Extension office and working on a variety of gardening
projects.
Jennifer Bousselot is a horticulture agent with Colorado State
University Cooperative Extension in Douglas County.