EXPERIENCE THE EDUCATIONAL SIDE OF GARDENING

By Tracy Waite

Experience the educational side of gardening by joining our Master Gardener Program which includes an eight week training with Ohio State University Extension Educators and trained Master Gardeners.

The Master Gardener Program is offered through the county's OSU Extension office in Marietta. The 2008 Master Gardener training will begin tentatively on February 5, starting at 6:00 p.m. and will last till approximately 9:30 pm. There will be a total of 10 training classes, eight Tuesday nights and two full day Saturday trainings (February 23 and March 8). The final class will be held on March 25^th. All classes are taught at the office of OSU Extension in Washington County (202 Davis Ave., Marietta, OH 45750). The cost of the training is $125 which includes a training manual, Master Gardener polo shirt, and educational handouts from presenters.

To become an OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, applicants must attend all training sessions and complete 50 volunteer hours the first year. This volunteer time will include 4-H Youth Gardening Programs, Farmer's Market Q&A table, Garden Party planning and teaching, our Memorial Garden project at the office and other educational programs.

Required this year is a background check for applicants because Master Gardener Volunteers will work with vulnerable audiences. Once accepted into the Master Gardener Program, applicants can be fingerprinted electronically at the following locations: Washington Co. Education Service Center, Area Agency on Aging of Washington County, Marietta License Services, and Washington County Sheriff's Office. The cost of the fingerprinting is $20.00.

To apply, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to: Master Gardener Training, OSU Extension, 202 Davis Avenue, Marietta, OH 45750 and we will mail you the application or contact Tracy Waite, OSU Extension Program Assistant, (740) 376-7431. The application is also available online at http://washington.osu.edu/hort/master_gardener. Completed applications will be taken through January 25, 2008.