Hello gardeners,
Please share the following information with anyone you know who may be interested…
I am excited to announce that I will again be offering the Master Gardener Level One class beginning in October in Twin Bridges. I plan to start the class the week of October 26th. There is plenty of interest and my minimum of ten people will be easily met. It has also been decided by the majority of those who indicated their interest that this class will be held in Twin Bridges, exact location to be determined (if you have a suggestion for a location please let me know). Before I can give everyone the final details, I still need your input. Here are the details I need your help with. When you reply to this email please indicate your preferences for each of the following:
- * One class per week (2 hours) for eight weeks or two classes per week (4 hours total) for four weeks.
- The days of the week I am planning for are Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. If you chose one class/week in #1 please let me know if your preference is for Tuesdays or Thursdays. If there is a preference for other day(s) of the week, I would like to know that as well.
- Preferred time of day, either 2:00-4:00 pm or 5:30-7:30 pm
* If the course is 2 classes/week, the dates would be October 26 – November 18. If the course is 1 class/week, the dates would be October 26 (or October 28) – December 14 (or December 23 because we would skip the November 25th class).
My apologies in advance to those of you who cannot attend the days/times listed and to those who would have preferred a class in a different location. I am confident that as this program grows we will be able to offer classes in more locations and at different times. I’m starting out slowly to be sure that I can keep up.
For those of you who are not sure if this class is for you (i.e. if your gardening skills are more advanced), you are more than welcome to attend the first class and decide then.
Please indicate your preferences by Friday, August 20th so that I can get back to everyone with the final details as well as all the important registration information. Please also pass this email along to anyone you think may be interested. In the event that there is a huge response to this email, I will be limiting registration to the first 25 people. Below is a brief overview of the program as well as a description of the Level 1 course. The cost for the level one course is $115, with $50 being refunded after fulfilling a 20-hour volunteer commitment. The class fee covers a textbook, “The Montana Master Gardener Handbook”, facility fees and other handouts provided throughout the course.
How does the program work?
Montana State University Extension staff, State Extension Specialists, and local gardening professionals teach a series of classes to train students in research-based home horticulture practices. There are three levels to the Master Gardener Program. The eight-session, Level 1 Master Gardener course will teach basic yard and garden installation and maintenance. Level 2 is an advanced Master Gardener course for those that have prior gardening knowledge and/or experience. The Level 3 Master Gardener course will be an intensive three day training on the Montana State University campus available the summer of 2011.
Classroom participation enhances your educational experience as students are encouraged to network and share their own experiences, thereby also learning from each other. While not mandatory, it is recommended that students have internet access in order to use some class materials. Upon completion of your training, you will receive a certificate and be asked to volunteer community service time through the Montana State University Extension Service or other community activities.
Level 1 Master Gardener:
This eight-session course (16 hours) will be taught by the local Extension agents, plant professionals, volunteers or via Adobe Connect and the Internet. During the beginning of the Level 1 Master Gardener course you will receive the Montana Master Gardener Handbook and other informative handouts pertaining to the class. In the Level 1 Master Gardener course you will learn about:
Montana State University Extension and the Master Gardener Program
- Soils, nutrients and fertility
- Plant growth and development
- Growing vegetables
- Annual, Perennial and Biennial Flowers
- Trees, shrubs, vines and pruning
- Lawns and irrigation
- Small fruit and fruit trees
- Composting
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
Following completion of the Level 1 Master Gardener course, you will be required to pass an open-book exam with 80% or higher and fulfill your volunteer commitment of 20 hours of volunteer commitment. The cost, time and location will be determined by the county Extension agent or Master Gardener coordinator.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING MASTER GARDENER LEVEL 2…For now, the plan is to hold the first level 2 class in Whitehall starting in late February or early March 2011.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks,Andrea~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Andrea Sarchet MSU Extension AgentMadison & Jefferson CountiesWhitehall, Montanaasarchet@montana.edu(406)287-3282 office(406)596-1349 cell~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~