AMES, Iowa – Registration is open for the popular Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program, with several new wrinkles added to its core training sessions in the fall for people interested in becoming Master Gardener volunteers.
New for 2018 are a set of three summer webcasts and an expansion of the flipped-classroom model that was offered at six locations last year. Lectures that were previously given during classroom sessions are now available to be watched at home, freeing up class time for hands-on activities and tours of local gardens.
“From our experience offering a flipped classroom last year, trainees love being able to watch the course lectures at their own pace,” said Margaret Murphy, horticulture educator and regional food coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach. “Additionally, receiving hands-on experiences during class increased the level of learning and gave trainees an opportunity to work together and share ideas and experiences.”
The Master Gardener program is designed for people who are passionate about volunteering and gardening. No previous garden knowledge is required, and participants grow in knowledge about gardening best practices.
After training, Master Gardeners volunteer in their community by giving produce to food pantries or demonstrating garden best practices at Iowa’s county fairgrounds.
Training sessions will begin this year in early- or mid-August, about four weeks earlier than past sessions, at the Dallas County Extension offices at 2859 Fairground Road in Adel. Those interested in the course can apply online. Training fees are $195.
Three Growing Season webcasts will give Master Gardeners educational hours while they learn about insects, tree care, organic vegetables, composting and growing roses.
The two-hour webcasts will be shown from 6-8 p.m. at the Dallas County Extension offices. The webcasts are free of charge and open to anyone interested. The three webcast subjects are:
- Insect Update and Tree Care – Tuesday, June 26. Receive the latest details about invasive garden pests, including Japanese beetle, emerald ash borer and spotted-wing drosophila from Donald Lewis, professor and extension entomologist at ISU. Then learn how to maintain the health of trees from Jesse Randall, associate professor and extension forester at ISU.
- Local Bees and Organic Vegetables – Tuesday, July 24. Find out how to attract native bees and other pollinators to the garden from Randall Cass, entomologist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Then learn how to organically maintain a vegetable garden from Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at ISU.
- Compost 101 and Growing Roses – Tuesday, Aug. 28. Build your compost IQ with Ajay Nair, associate professor and extension vegetable production specialist at ISU. Learn how to manage a home composting system and troubleshoot potential problems. Then learn how to grow roses that make a garden shine with Aaron Steil, assistant director of Reiman Gardens.
Master Gardeners can gain six continuing education hours for participating in the webcasts. Ten hours are required each year to remain active Master Gardeners. For more information or to register for the webcasts, email Dallas County Master Gardener Coordinator Megan Will at greenthumblady_3@hotmail.com.
In addition, a Class on Campus training session will be held Nov. 3, bringing all Master Gardener trainees together for hands-on workshops with ISU Extension and Outreach instructors.
After training, Master Gardeners work as volunteers within the community, volunteering 20 hours per year and building their gardening know-how by participating in 10 hours of continuing education.
Individuals not interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer can still receive training. The ProHort program allows individuals to gain knowledge while earning a certificate of completion. Cost for the ProHort program is $550 and does not include any volunteer requirements.
Nearly 2,000 Master Gardeners were active across Iowa in 2017, compiling over 115,000 volunteer hours. Master Gardeners volunteered nearly 60 hours each, significantly more than the 20 hours required. Those volunteer hours are valued at $2.7 million.
