2013 Master Gardener Training
Are you a gardening enthusiast? Would you like to share your gardening knowledge with your community? If so, you may want to consider joining the Piscataquis County Master Gardeners. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is pleased to again offer its popular Master Gardener Program in the fall of 2013. Participants in the Master Gardener program will receive fourteen 3-hour in-depth training sessions in the art and science of horticulture starting September 10th, 2013. Trainees also receive current, research based information from Extension educators and experts.
After successful completion of the training program, each Master Gardener will volunteer 40 hours to a community gardening project such as planting and maintaining a vegetable variety trial, designing and creating a mobile display to be used at fairs and other public functions, or answering public calls and requests for gardening information.
Master Gardeners become a part of a nationwide Cooperative Extension effort to train one another on best gardening practices and are recognized as well-trained practitioners who serve and beautify their communities. They are linked to a professional network of support through county, state and national Cooperative Extension offices.
The 2013 program will focus on garden vegetables, small fruits and trees fruits. The course will cover topics such as: soil science, composting and fertilizing, botany, growing nightshades vegetables, plant health and many other aspects of plant management.
The program will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm beginning September 10th at the Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County Office on 165 East Main Street (Rt. 15) in Dover-Foxcroft.
The program fees are based on your annual household income:
$40,000 or less = $110 fee
$40,001 – $70,000 = $220 fee
$70,001 or more = $330 fee
Note: This information will be confidential
The fee is due on the first day of class following acceptance in the program. If the fee is a barrier to a participant, please contact the county Master Gardener Coordinator. Limited scholarships are available.
For more information or to request an application, please call the Piscataquis County Extension Office at 564-3301 or 1-800-287-1491. Applications are due September 6th, 2013. UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Under University Policy, Federal and State of Maine Laws, participants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations that will allow them access to UMaine Extension programs. If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations please call Ana Bonstedt at the Piscataquis County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1491 or TDD: 1-800-287-8957 to discuss your needs. Request for accommodation should be submitted at least 10 days before the program begins, a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be accepted. Our goal is to enable the public to participate in this program. Cooperative Extension provides equal opportunities in programs.