For Star Journal

University of Wisconsin-Extension in Oneida County is taking applications for the 12-session Master Gardener volunteer training program.

The Master Gardener volunteer program is a premier community service-learning program connecting gardening with local community volunteer opportunities. There will be informal lectures and service-learning activities where participants will have the opportunity to expand their horticultural background, network with like-minded people, and return something to the community. The Master Gardener training program will prepare students to be educators and extenders of horticulture to the community.

The sessions start March 8, 2016. They will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. every other Tuesday evening through August, in the lower level conference room of the Rhinelander/Oneida County Airport, located at 3375 Airport Road, Rhinelander. The training program consists of 36 hours of intense, yet informal mix of local instruction, webinar lecture and hands on activity. Foundations of horticultural sciences will be introduced and students will learn how to find answers to commonly asked garden questions using the appropriate resources training. Subjects covered will include botany and general gardening practices, backyard wildlife, soils, herbaceous annuals and perennials, fruit/vegetable crops, weeds and pest management, backyard wildlife, woody landscape plants, and low input lawn care.

To successfully earn a Master Gardener volunteer certification, participants must complete a minimum of 36 hours of the initial training, pass an open book final exam, and complete a minimum of 24-hours volunteer service. Volunteer service is also a requirement after the training.
The cost of this course is $105, which covers the cost of all materials. Pre-registration is required on or before Jan. 30, 2015. Those interested can pre-register by emailing Merry Lehner at merry.lehner@ces.uwex.edu or by calling 715-365-2753. A background check is required prior to the classroom training. Class is limited to the first 20 paid registrants. For more information, visit http://oneida.uwex.edu.