MASTER GARDENERS

Join with other OLLI members who are master gardeners to expand your horizons through the Monongalia County Master Gardener Program. Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2016 program. Classes will begin Wednesday, August 24, and continue every Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. through November 16 at the West Virginia University Monongalia County Extension Office, 34 Commerce Drive, Suite 106.

The program is designed to make gardening a fun learning experience and utilizes trained volunteers to assist the Extension Office in disseminating research-based knowledge. This program is available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or national origin.  The nonrefundable cost is $125 and covers the cost of the textbook, class materials, Monongalia County Master Gardener Organization dues, and a name badge (which will be received upon certification). A light supper will also be provided each week.

The program requires a total of 40 educational hours, including sessions on pesticides, soils & fertilizers, plant propagation, plant diseases, tree fruit, and pruning, among other topics. Trainees may not miss more than one class during the fall, must make a presentation of a topic of their interest related to the class, and must score 80 percent on a final take-home exam. In addition, 40 hours of volunteer service is required and must be completed on or before July 1, 2018, to become a Certified Master Gardener. Current Monongalia County Master Gardeners are involved in many activities, including maintaining flower beds at Mason-Dixon Park and Jack Roberts Park and providing volunteer assistance at the WVU greenhouse and West Virginia Botanic Garden. They also make presentations to garden clubs, civic groups, and other public groups.

Anyone interested in the class must complete an application form available at Monongalia.ext.wvu.edu and return it to: Monongalia Master Gardener Organization, c/o WVU-Monongalia County Extension Office, 34 Commerce Drive Suite 106, Morgantown WV 26501 or fax to (304) 291-7202. Students will be accepted on a “first come-first serve” basis. Any questions may be directed to Sheryl Bergen Jarvis at the Extension Office (304-291-7201) or SBJarvis@mail.wvu.edu.