Come Grow With Us: Become a Master Gardener

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2009

Area lawn and garden enthusiasts can get intensive horticulture training in exchange for volunteer hours through University of Illinois Extension's Master Gardener program. The training program consists of weekly sessions that run from January through April.

Participants get more than 60 hours of in-depth instruction on such topics as soils; botany; insect and disease control; flowers, trees, shrubs and other ornamentals; fruit and vegetable production; houseplants; basic landscaping and a wide range of other topics.

An internship of 60 hours of volunteer horticulture-related service to our local neighbors and communities for U of I Extension completes the training requirements. Some Master Gardeners answer lawn and garden questions from homeowners. Others help design and operate demonstration gardens for the public. And, some make presentations to local schools and civic groups.

The Master Gardener training will be held on Tuesdays, January 5 through April 20, and rotates between Edwardsville, Belleville and Waterloo. At all locations, classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more details, contact the U of I Extension offices in Madison County, 650-7050, or St. Clair County, 236-4172. You may also visit our website at www.extension.uiuc.edu/madisonstclair .

If you need disability accommodations to participate in this program, please indicate when registering.