GARDEN GUIDANCE
MASTER GARDENER SERIES COMING TO THUMB AREA
by Carol Holtrop, Master Gardener Coordinator

Would you enjoy a host of new friends with a common interest in gardening? Do you enjoy helping others, learning about horticultural topics, and sharing your knowledge of gardening? If so, you are invited to apply to become a Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener volunteer.

The MSU Extension offices of Huron County and Tuscola County are joining together to offer Master Gardener Volunteer training which will begin January 16 and continue every Monday through March 27, 2006. Training hours are 6 PM to 10 PM.

Increase your knowledge and understanding of such varied horticultural topics as best cultural practices for growing flowers and vegetables, house plant care, plant disease and insect pest identification and control and much more. Instructors are MSU Extension professionals and other area experts.

To become an MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer, you must attend all training sessions, pass examinations and volunteer 40 hours of horticultural service to the community through Extension educational programming. Such service could include teaching a Jr. Master Gardener Volunteer program, planting and maintaining an MSU Extension demonstration garden, answering gardening questions from the public at the Extension office, judging flower and vegetable projects at the county fair and assisting community garden participants.

Besides this series, upcoming events for the Huron County Master Gardeners include their annual Spring Into Gardening Conference on March 25, a Perennial Plant Sale on May 13, and a Garden Walk on July 8. Master Gardener educational sessions have included such topics as Wetland Management, Woodlot Management, Emerald Ash Borer Training, Water Quality Training, Flower Arranging and Plant Disease Updates.

Tuscola County volunteers have several on-going projects. The Fowler Center's raised bed garden is maintained for the enjoyment and education of physically challenged area residents. A greenhouse is currently being worked on at the Center and is near completion. Master Gardeners also provide Mayville School students with classroom education in science and horticultural related topics. "A Secret Garden" at the Crisis Center in Caro provides an area of respite for those dealing with turmoil in their lives. The Exchange Forest has a walking trail open to the public. Plants are labeled to answer the common question, "What's that plant?"

The Master Gardener series has been offered in the Thumb area many times since 1994. Volunteers have donated over 14,000 hours to area projects with their time valued at over $240,000! This is a considerable investment in area communities, showing the commitment of our area's residents to their communities and horticultural education.

Training class size is limited. Those accepted into the training class must pay an enrollment fee of $225 to cover the cost of training materials, speakers and facilities. The complete Michigan Master Gardener Volunteer Training Manual provided to each trainee is over 900 pages!

To apply, send your check made payable to "MSU Extension" to Master Gardener Program, 99 W. Soper Road, Suite B, Bad Axe, MI 48413 or call 989-269-9949. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to increase your knowledge and skills and share what you learn with others in your community.