Master Gardener Volunteers
Amy Jordan
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Volunteers play an important role in K-State Research and Extension.
They are depended on to serve as 4-H project or club leaders and be role models for youth in the county.
They serve on Extension Councils to assist Extension staff in determining what programs would best benefit residents of the county. Extension Boards provide critical leadership and guidance for county extension offices. Community Units provide educational programs to county residents on a variety of topics. Volunteers at the county fair help things to run smoothly during this very visible community event.
Volunteers are also very important in horticulture. Through the Extension Master Gardener program, individuals are trained in many aspects of horticulture, then depended on to share the information they gained within the county.
The Lyon County Extension Council is currently encouraging individuals to apply for the 2007 Master Gardener training class. Sessions will be held on eight Tuesdays during September, October and November from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 11.
After completion of the training course, graduate Master Gardeners are committed to a 40-hour volunteer effort during the following calendar year conducting educational programs on behalf of K-State Research and Extension, Lyon County. Applicants will be selected based upon ability to attend all class sessions and commitment to satisfy a minimum of 40 volunteer hours.
During the training phase, candidates will be exposed to virtually all aspects of horticulture and allied disciplines of plant pathology and entomology. Training is conducted by faculty members from the Department of Horticulture at Kansas State University, local Extension personnel and representatives of the private horticulture industry.
Extension Master Gardeners can become involved as volunteers in many ways. Currently, volunteers teach children about gardening in classroom and afterschool programs. They have staffed plant clinics to help diagnose plant problems. They also do all of the planting and maintenance of the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens.
Volunteers have staffed educational booths at the Emporia Spring Expo and have given talks to civic groups and garden clubs about topics in which they are knowledgeable. Other possibilities for Master Gardener volunteers could be serving as 4-H horticulture project leaders, teaching 4-H horticulture enrichment units in local schools, conducting horticultural therapy programs at assisted living facilities or judging horticulture exhibits at the county fair or a school science fair.
If you think the Extension Master Gardener program would be something you would like to become involved in, call the Lyon County Extension office at 341-3220 and request an application.
The application is also available at our Web site www.oznet.ksu.edu/lyon under publications.