By Karen Johnson, UMN Extension Educator – McLeod & Meeker Counties
If you have an interest in plants and gardening and would enjoy sharing the interest with others, come grow with us! Become a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener in McLeod County or Meeker County. Applications are being accepted now until Oct. 1.
Individuals selected for the program begin an internship that starts with the Master Gardener Core Course training that begins in January 2019. The course is taught online or in-person at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Instructors are University of Minnesota Extension educators and faculty.
Following the course, interns will complete 50 hours of volunteer time in the first year working with local Master Gardeners on a variety of projects that educate the public about gardening and horticulture. You might answer plant questions by phone or in an information booth, write newspaper columns, or make a presentation to a community group. Locally, Master Gardeners are also involved in horticulture educational days, education booths, and educational garden tours.
After completing the internship, you become a certified University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener. To remain certified, Master Gardeners must contribute at least 25 hours of volunteer service annually. Following is a link to the University of Minnesota Extension Website with additional information on becoming an Extension Master Gardener: https://extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/become-master-
gardener-volunteer.
For an application packet and more information, call U of MN Extension – McLeod County, (320) 484-4303, or Meeker County (320) 693-5275. Questions can also be e-mailed to ande9495@umn.edu.