Penny Ortmann (left) and Max Linehan at the Great Expectations School greenhouse. The greenhouse is available for GES students because of a grant from Cook County Extension and the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation—and Master Gardeners like Penny and Max, who help with the youth gardening program.
If you love to garden and would like to share that love with others, you might be interested in becoming a University of Minnesota Master Gardener for Cook County. Master Gardeners provide research-based information on horticulture topics to the public. This might include how to grow vegetables or information on flowers, fruit trees, shrubs, houseplants, lawns, landscaping, soils, diseases, insects, weeds and wildlife.
Master Gardeners can work with others on a one-on-one basis, teaching classes, supporting youth gardening programs or through specific projects that benefit Cook County.
Applications are now being accepted at the Cook County Extension office until November 15 for the online computer training that will begin January 2012. The cost of the course is $275, which includes all class materials.
Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 50 hours the first year and 25 hours the following years. Once your training has finished, you will have the opportunity to volunteer with other master gardeners who are very willing to serve as mentors and colleagues for your first few years.
Continuing Master Gardener education hours brings you an opportunity to enhance the development of your interest every year in horticulture while serving others in your community. It is a great educational experience and Master Gardeners say it is purely fun to meet and chat with other interested gardeners.
To learn more about this program, please contact Diane Booth at the Cook County Extension office at 218-387-3015 or by e-mail at diane.booth@co.cook. mn.us.
Leave a Reply