Are you a gardening enthusiast? Would you like to share your gardening knowledge with your community? If so, you may want to consider joining the Aroostook County Master Gardeners. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering its popular Master Gardener Program in the fall of 2013. Participants in the Master Gardener program will receive 14 three-hour in-depth training sessions in the art and science of horticulture starting Sept. 10. Trainees also receive current research-based information from Extension educators and experts.
After successful completion of the training program, each Master Gardener will volunteer 40 hours to a community gardening project such as planting and maintaining a vegetable variety trial, designing and creating a mobile display to be used at fairs and other public functions, or answering public calls and requests for gardening information.
Master Gardeners become a part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension effort to train one another on best gardening practices and are recognized as well-trained practitioners who serve and beautify their communities. They are linked to a professional network of support through county, state and national Cooperative Extension offices.
The 2013 program will focus on garden vegetables, small fruits and trees fruits. The course will cover topics such as: soil science, composting and fertilizing, botany, growing nightshades, vegetables, plant health and many other aspects of plant management.
The program will be held as a distance education opportunity on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 10 at the Cooperative Extension Houlton Office in Aroostook. The live feed will originate out of the Piscataquis County office.
The program fees are based on a participant’s annual household income: $40,000 or less, $110; $40,001 – $70,000, $220 and $70,001 or more, $330. This information will be confidential.
The fee is due on the first day of class following acceptance into the program.
If the fee is a barrier to a participant, please contact the county Master Gardener coordinator. Limited scholarships are available.
For more information or to request an application, please call the Piscataquis County Extension Office at 564-3301 or 1-800-287-1491. Applications are due Sept. 6.
