If you have a strong interest in gardening and enjoy helping others, you are invited to enroll in the Fall 2009 Master Gardener Volunteer Program class. Marquette County MSU Extension is accepting registrations for Master Gardener Volunteer training, which will begin on September 14 and continue every Monday through December 7, 2009. All classes will be held at the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA) conference room at 321 East Ohio Street in Marquette from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

The Master Gardener program will increase your knowledge and understanding of varied horticultural topics including growing flowers, vegetables and fruit, lawn care, house plant care, plant disease, insect pest control and much more. Instructors are MSU Extension professionals and regional experts.

To become a certified Michigan Master Gardener Volunteer, you must attend all training sessions, pass a final examination and volunteer 40 hours of approved horticultural service to your community. Volunteer activities could include teaching a Jr. Master Gardener program, writing gardening articles, a beautification project at a public building or facility, answering gardening questions from the public at the Extension office, judging flower and vegetable projects at the county fair, or assisting community garden participants.

Class size is limited. Individuals participating in the class must pay an enrollment fee of $210 to cover the cost of training materials, speakers and facilities. The complete Michigan Master Gardener Training Manual contains over 800 pages!

To apply, contact the Marquette County MSU Extension office at 475-5731 (or email at msue52@msu.edu) or the Alger County MSU Extension office at 387-2530 (or email at msue02@msu.edu) for a brochure and registration material. Applications must be received by September 2.

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