Posted 8:36 pm Sunday, November 22, 2009
Smith County Master Gardeners Seeking Applications
the Smith County Master Gardener program is seeking applicants to become part of a highly trained core of volunteers to assist the Texas AgriLife Extension Service conduct gardening educational programs and projects in Smith County, said Keith Hansen, Extension horticulturist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service-Smith County.
Consider the following: Do you like to share with friends, young people or others your interest in plants and gardening? Would you like to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants? Would you like to participate in a practical and intensive horticulture-training program? Do you have time to attend a two-month training? Are you willing and able to complete 72 hours of volunteer work within a year after the training?
If you answered yes to all these questions, the Smith County Master Gardener program is for you, Hansen said.
The 2010 Smith County Master Gardener class will begin Jan. 12. Classes will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon through March 18. The deadline for submitting applications is Dec. 14. Applicants will be notified of their status in the program by Dec. 22. Class size is limited and preference will be given to qualified Smith County residents.
An orientation meeting is scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Extension Meeting Room 116 in the Smith County Cotton Belt Building, 1517 W. Front St., where you can learn more about and ask questions regarding the Smith County Master Gardener program. All applicants are required to attend this meeting. No pre-registration is required.
For more information and an application, call the Smith County Extension office at 903-590-2980, write, or come by the office at the Cotton Belt Building, 1517 W. Front St., Suite 116, Tyler 75702.
Online applications are also available in the "Programs" section of East Texas Gardening (http://EastTexas-Gardening.tamu-.edu), located under "Events and News."
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Master Gardener program, sponsored by AgriLife Extension, is a volunteer program where trained volunteers provide research-based home gardening information to the residents of Smith County. This is done through various programs and activities such as workshops, speaker's bureau, school projects, gardening publications, research and demonstration gardens and answering individual requests for gardening information at the Smith County Extension office.
If you are a resident of a nearby county, contact your county Extension agent, because there are Master Gardener programs in all of the counties surrounding Smith County, Hansen said.
Applicants selected to be Master Gardener trainees will receive instruction in home horticulture from AgriLife Extension specialists, staff, Master Gardeners and local experts.
The program offers 72 hours of instruction covering: plant growth and development; lawn care; ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers; insect, disease and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; composting; plant propagation; pruning; diagnosing plant problems; landscape maintenance and more.
The $150 fee includes the 450-plus page "Texas Master Gardener Handbook." After completing the initial training, interns must give 72 hours (within one year) of volunteer service in Smith County for Extension-approved activities in various areas of home horticulture.
Many opportunities are available to use your talents and serve the community through the Master Gardener program.
"The type of service varies according to community needs and the abilities and interests of the Master Gardeners. All Smith County Master Gardener interns are required to answer telephone and walk-in requests in the Extension office for information related to gardening, and to help maintain the three demonstration gardens in the Tyler Rose Garden," Hansen said.
Other service opportunities include staffing plant clinics and information tables, or creating educational displays for various community events, such as the "Our Secret Garden" exhibit, part of the AgriWorld exhibit at the East Texas State Fair, teaching children about the role of horticulture and garden plants in their lives. Master Gardeners speak to local groups and clubs on gardening, and conduct workshops and seminars. They may work with 4-H, Junior Master Gardener and other youth or school groups.
Examples of major Smith County Master Gardener activities include sponsoring the annual Home Garden Tour in May, and the Fall Gardening Conference and Plant Expo and Bulb Sale in the fall, Hansen said.
MASTER GARDENER PROJECTS
Other Smith County Master Gardener projects include producing the yearly Northeast Texas Gardening Guide and Calendar; maintaining the Heritage Rose Garden at the Tyler Rose Garden; development and maintenance of the I.D.E.A. Demonstration Garden in the Tyler Rose Garden; plant variety demonstration plots; helping neighborhoods and schools establish community gardens; and horticultural research assistance at Texas A&M at Overton. You may have seen the "Master Gardener Tip of the Week" and "What's Blooming in Our Garden" articles written by Smith County Master Gardeners in county newspapers. Currently, there are 150 certified and interning Master Gardeners in Smith County.
Master Gardeners are representatives of AgriLife Extension, which is part of the Texas A&M System. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow and provide only research-based recommendations of AgriLife Extension. The title "Master Gardener" can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension activities.
Participants become certified Texas Master Gardeners after they have completed the training and internship by fulfilling their volunteer commitment. The certification is good for one year and is renewed through continued participation in horticulture classes and volunteering.
