MONROE - Thirty-three Green County area residents were recently recognized for earning their University of Wisconsin-Extension Master Gardener Certification at the annual meeting of the South Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association.
The group's main functions are to help serve the horticulture needs of Green County area residents, provide continuing education for its members, perform community service through volunteer activities and provide a link between the community and UW-Extension.
To earn the UW-Extension Master Gardener certification, participants are required to complete 36 hours of classroom training that covers a variety of horticultural topics including soils, botany, entomology, plant pathology, houseplants, landscaping, turf, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.
After completing the course work and passing an exam, participants become Master Gardener interns for one year. During that year, they must complete at least 24 hours of community service before receiving their UW-Extension Master Gardener volunteer certification. Recertification is required annually and Master Gardeners must attend a minimum of 10 hours of professional development in addition to providing 24 hours of volunteer service each year.
This past year, members of the association volunteered more than 340 hours of community and youth education and over 2,000 hours in community service projects in Green County. Local projects included maintaining many flower gardens and plantings at the Pleasant View Nursing Home, the Monroe Public Library, Green County Justice Center, Montesian Gardens, Monroe Arts Center, Historical Museums, Green County Welcome Center, nursing homes, senior centers, local parks, area schools and local community gardens. Two new projects, the New Glarus Square Foot Gardens and the Albany Sustainable Food Education Center are being structured around youth learning the value of growing and eating vegetables.
Master Gardener volunteers also assist the UW-Extension Office in responding to horticulture questions and several were recognized at the recent annual meeting for achieving volunteer hourly milestones. Sally Bear, Ron Hayes, and Jack Policastro were recognized for achieving 150 hours of volunteer service. Michael Colney was recognized for 250 hours. Norma Bader achieved 500 hours of service, Kris Winkler 750 hours and Susan Konopacki was honored for achieving 1,000 hours of volunteer service.
The South Central Master Gardeners Association meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from February through October. Association officers for 2013 will include Konopacki, president; Gregg Smith, vice president; Kristi Leonard, secretary; and Lynn Lokken, treasurer.
More information is available by contacting Mark Mayer, UW-Extension agriculture agent, at (608) 328-9440.
The group's main functions are to help serve the horticulture needs of Green County area residents, provide continuing education for its members, perform community service through volunteer activities and provide a link between the community and UW-Extension.
To earn the UW-Extension Master Gardener certification, participants are required to complete 36 hours of classroom training that covers a variety of horticultural topics including soils, botany, entomology, plant pathology, houseplants, landscaping, turf, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.
After completing the course work and passing an exam, participants become Master Gardener interns for one year. During that year, they must complete at least 24 hours of community service before receiving their UW-Extension Master Gardener volunteer certification. Recertification is required annually and Master Gardeners must attend a minimum of 10 hours of professional development in addition to providing 24 hours of volunteer service each year.
This past year, members of the association volunteered more than 340 hours of community and youth education and over 2,000 hours in community service projects in Green County. Local projects included maintaining many flower gardens and plantings at the Pleasant View Nursing Home, the Monroe Public Library, Green County Justice Center, Montesian Gardens, Monroe Arts Center, Historical Museums, Green County Welcome Center, nursing homes, senior centers, local parks, area schools and local community gardens. Two new projects, the New Glarus Square Foot Gardens and the Albany Sustainable Food Education Center are being structured around youth learning the value of growing and eating vegetables.
Master Gardener volunteers also assist the UW-Extension Office in responding to horticulture questions and several were recognized at the recent annual meeting for achieving volunteer hourly milestones. Sally Bear, Ron Hayes, and Jack Policastro were recognized for achieving 150 hours of volunteer service. Michael Colney was recognized for 250 hours. Norma Bader achieved 500 hours of service, Kris Winkler 750 hours and Susan Konopacki was honored for achieving 1,000 hours of volunteer service.
The South Central Master Gardeners Association meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from February through October. Association officers for 2013 will include Konopacki, president; Gregg Smith, vice president; Kristi Leonard, secretary; and Lynn Lokken, treasurer.
More information is available by contacting Mark Mayer, UW-Extension agriculture agent, at (608) 328-9440.
