GRATIOT - A beginning master gardener program will be offered in Lafayette County in 2016.
The first session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at the new Gratiot Library.
The master gardener training program is a 12-week course that will be offered through the University of Wisconsin Extension office. UW professors will give lectures and answer questions in webinar format, which may be watched at the extension office or at home for those with broadband. Some of the topics covered will be: how to become a better gardener; growing vegetables or fruit; landscaping; designing and growing flower beds; identifying insects; and teaching others to enjoy gardening.
Master gardeners repay the tuition-free course (there is a $110 cost for handouts and the manual) by serving the community: After completing the course, each master gardener provides 24 hours of service over the following year. Examples of service may include staffing a booth at the county fair to answer questions, planting and maintaining public community gardens, providing gardening programs and talks, answering questions for people who call UW Extension for help, or writing the gardening column that is published in the local paper. Master gardeners become members of the county organization that supports their efforts and provides ongoing information and exchange of gardening ideas and techniques.
To register for the program call Lisa Carpenter at the Lafayette County UW Extension office at 608-776-4820; for questions, email merrellbeech@gmail.com.
The first session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at the new Gratiot Library.
The master gardener training program is a 12-week course that will be offered through the University of Wisconsin Extension office. UW professors will give lectures and answer questions in webinar format, which may be watched at the extension office or at home for those with broadband. Some of the topics covered will be: how to become a better gardener; growing vegetables or fruit; landscaping; designing and growing flower beds; identifying insects; and teaching others to enjoy gardening.
Master gardeners repay the tuition-free course (there is a $110 cost for handouts and the manual) by serving the community: After completing the course, each master gardener provides 24 hours of service over the following year. Examples of service may include staffing a booth at the county fair to answer questions, planting and maintaining public community gardens, providing gardening programs and talks, answering questions for people who call UW Extension for help, or writing the gardening column that is published in the local paper. Master gardeners become members of the county organization that supports their efforts and provides ongoing information and exchange of gardening ideas and techniques.
To register for the program call Lisa Carpenter at the Lafayette County UW Extension office at 608-776-4820; for questions, email merrellbeech@gmail.com.