Master Gardner program still inspiring amateur horticulturists

Carolyn Burk didn’t get into the Iowa State University Extension Service’s Master Gardner program because she wanted to become an expert.

“I just really hate dead plants,” Burk said. “And I wanted to know about how to keep them alive.”

Burk and fellow Master Gardner program member Peggy Fey were at the Newton Farmers’ Market last week, staffing the Extension Service tent and answering questions about the program and, occasionally, about gardening. The women were gaining volunteer hours and helping teach Iowa about horticulture — one gardening project at a time.

“I love to be outdoors,” Fey said. “I knew a few basic things about gardening, like which plants do well in the sun versus the shade. But having completed the training, I feel so much more intelligent about gardening.”

Iowans who apply online by Sept. 1 can begin the fall block of Master Gardener core training that will enable them to teach others. Master Gardener programs are volunteer training, traced back to a program offered in Washington State in the 1970s, that teach gardening in a way that allows knowledge to then be taught to to the general public.

While there is a $195 fee to take the Iowa class at most locations, along with a background check, the 40-hour core course brings a wide array of knowledge to each student. Topics include houseplants, flowers, turf grass, vegetables, landscape design, woody landscape plants, plant propagation, fruits, soils, wildlife management, integrated pest management, plant pathology and entomology.

Courses are taught by ISU faculty, local horticulture experts and extension educators. There is a combination of webinars and face-to-face sessions, along with a full Saturday of hands-on workshops at ISU in Ames.

For gardners taking this year’s September-through-November course, they must also volunteer in their community and at events in a 40-hour educator internship to be completed by Dec. 31, 2017 as approved by the county coordinator.

Master Gardeners can remain active members in following years by attending 10 or more hours of continuing education and contributing 20 hours or more of volunteer community service each calendar year.

For those interested in getting a certificate for the course, but don’t want to complete the volunteer hours, they can sign up as “Pro-Hort” trainees for a $550 fee.

Each Master Gardner comes into the program with strengths and weaknesses in terms of knowledge about various areas of gardening. Burk said she needs to learn more about the Emerald ash borer, for example, but that’s the beauty of gardening — it’s a constant growth of knowledge.

“I used to work for Earl May, but that’s so different from what we do here,” Burk said. “It’s still a learning experience for me. Learning about gardens is never-ending.”

Learn more about the ISU program by calling the Jasper County Extension Office at 641-792-6433 or visit bit.ly/29uzqeQ

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com