The Master Gardener Articles

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Union County Master Gardeners Open House
By: George McVey, Master Gardener Coordinator

The Master Gardeners of Union County plan an open house on October 10, 2007 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Union County Agricultural Services Center at 18000 St. Rt. 4 in Marysville. The Union County Master Gardener Program was established in 1994 and has 111 members. Each year 50 hours of classes are offered which cover the best management practices of lawn care, ornamental trees, and shrubs, insect, disease and weed control, soil science and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production and other horticultural topics.

Classes are held at the Union County Agricultural Services Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6- 9 p.m. starting January 29 and ending March 27, 2008.

Those who successfully pass an examination covering course material will provide 50 volunteer hours before earning Master Gardener Certification.

  In return for this specialized training, Master Gardeners are asked to volunteer time to the Union County Extension Program. Volunteer activities include our annual Tour of Gardens, maintaining McCloud Park, sponsoring a plant sale, providing speakers on horticultural topics to community groups, holding plant clinics, and providing plant, disease, insect and nutritional deficiency identification.

The benefits of becoming a Certified Master Gardener are many. Master Gardeners receive quarterly newsletters and other free update materials, participate in Regional, State and National Conferences and attend educational in-services. These sessions provide opportunities to address gardening problems and new horticultural developments with other Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are also given countless opportunities for community service and become recognized experts in their horticultural specialties.

Applications (PDF Format) for the 2008 Master Gardener Program are available through the OSU Extension Office, 18000 State Route 4, Suite E, Marysville, Ohio 43040 or by calling (937) 644.8117. The application deadline is December 31, 2007.
 

The Master Gardener Offers horticulture advice and tips, focusing on current issues by volunteers who are with The Ohio State University Extension, Union County Master Gardener Program. For answers to gardening questions, call 937.644.8117 or e-mail gmcvey@ag.osu.edu. Hourse are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring  that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a  nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin,  sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.  This  statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA.

Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868