Become a master gardener volunteer with Ohio State

By Eric Barrett

Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension sponsors training each year for gardeners who are interested in learning more about gardening and want to help others interested in horticulture.

Our motto is “We are leaders, not weeders!” We teach others about proper gardening practices – we are the “how to” people!

If this interests you, apply to become an Ohio State University Extension master gardener volunteer. A special summertime training is being planned for 2014.

Becoming a volunteer has a few requirements to complete the program. We require volunteers to complete the training, to give 50 hours of volunteer service back to the community in the first year and to have a great time learning about horticulture.

The volunteer service will include some of the following: staffing and learning through the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic at our office; attending new gardening classes to sharpen skills; organizing events for the public; assisting with and teaching at programs; and working with the community to improve horticultural knowledge.

We’ll cover lots of topics during the training, from basic botany to fruit and vegetable production.

Other class sessions will include herbs, perennials, house plant care, plant disease and insect pest identification and control and much more.

Trainees will prepare a short presentation on their favorite gardening topic, with the help of the experts. Current OSU Extension master gardener volunteers will help new trainees with this process.

Instructors for the training will be OSU Extension pofessionals and other horticultural, natural resources and gardening experts from all over Ohio.

A completed Ohio Master Gardener training manual is provided to each trainee, full of materials and references to the vast horticultural information available through Ohio State University Extension.

The training fee also includes some meals during the training and supplies.

Training class size is limited, so be sure to apply soon. Call Eric or Lori at The Ohio State University Extension office in Canfield. The training program starts June 24 and will continue for eight weeks. Class times at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can download an application at http://go.osu.edu/mgv2014.