Those with a strong interest in gardening and who enjoy helping others are invited to become a UNL Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Lancaster County. Training class size is limited. Those participating in the 2012 training class must pay a materials fee of $150.
UNL Extension in Lancaster County's 2012 Master Gardener training program will begin in February 2012. Training hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lancaster County Extension Office. For additional information or to receive an application, call Mary Jane Frogge at 402-441-7180. Applications are due Jan. 27.
UNL Extension also will host Master Gardener 2012 training program on UNL's East Campus. These also will begin in February. Training hours are 6-9 p.m. For more information, contact Terri James at 402-472-8973.
Additional master gardener training programs are offered at various sites across Nebraska. For more information, go to http://mastergardener.unl.edu.
The Nebraska Master Gardener program has been part of UNL Extension since 1976.
Master Gardener volunteers are trained by UNL Extension faculty and staff. They contribute time as volunteers working through their local Extension office to provide horticulture-related information to their community. More specifically, they provide education about sustainable horticultural practices.
Participants are required to complete 40 hours of training and 40 hours of volunteer service during the initial year of their involvement in the program. Master Gardener volunteers retain their certification through annual training and volunteering.
Some of the topics that could be covered include: plant functions and the growing environment; insect identification and management; turfgrass management; plant diseases and management; weed identification and management; trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plant selection and management; wildlife management; landscape design and management; and water conservation and management.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/ep4