Master gardener training Aug. 5

Staff Reports

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension hosts an orientation class or local gardeners interested in becoming Master Gardeners, 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 5, at the Cooperative Extension office, 2621 Northgate Lane, Suite 12, Carson City.

The orientation provides an overview of the Master Gardening training, with actual Master Gardener held 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Tuesdays, Sept. 7 through Nov. 9, at the UNCE Carson City office. A video conference link is available at the Douglas County Cooperative Extension office at 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

Master Gardeners learn botany, plant care, plant identification, pruning, entomology, plant pathology, turf management, fruit trees, vegetables, weeds and plant-problem diagnosis through the program. The classes are taught by specialists from University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and Nevada Department of Agriculture.

The program will certify participants as Master Gardener volunteers, who are environmental stewards of the community and answer gardening questions.

Participants must take the required courses, pass an open-book exam and donate 50 hours of community service in order become certified Master Gardeners. Once certified, Master Gardeners receive volunteering opportunities throughout the year. Master Gardeners must volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year to maintain certification.

Information, Wendy Hanson Mazet, (775) 784-4848, ext. 120. Anyone interested in the program must attend the orientation. The fee for the full Master Gardener training and all necessary materials is $125.