Become a Master Gardener!
How To Apply:
Fill out the Master Gardener Program Application, now available online!
Print out, complete application, and return to:
WSU Skagit County Extension
Attn: Master Gardener Program
11768 Westar Lane, Suite A
Burlington, WA 98233
Application deadline is October 15 each year.
Please fill out application form completely. Partially completed applications
will not be considered.
We will contact applicants to schedule interviews in early November, and
select our 25 trainees by the end of the month.
Initial Training:
All Skagit County Master Gardener volunteers are provided a series of initial training workshops that cover such subjects as basic botany, basic entomology, weed/insect/disease management, pesticide safety, soils and fertilizers, tree fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, pruning, turf grass management, water quality, composting, and plant identification. The classes are taught by Washington State University plant pathologists, entomologists, weed specialists, and other experts. The trainees receive a course outline and other Extension publications pertinent to the subject areas addressed.
The next training session for new WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners will be held in Bow, beginning in late January and continuing through late February. The training sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4 pm.
Volunteer Commitment:
Upon completion of the training, each new Master Gardener intern is required to complete 60 hours of volunteer service in authorized program activities. 25 of those hours must be spent in the Discovery Garden, and 16 in the Plant Clinics.
The remaining hours (and whatever additional time you are willing to contribute!) can be spent in any other Master Gardener projects that interest you (see above for some examples of other program offerings).
In subsequent years, each "veteran" Master Gardener is required to contribute a minimum of 25 hours in program volunteer work (4 of which need to be public outreach), and spend 10 hours engaged in continuing education. Many continuing education opportunities are offered through the Skagit County program.
Hort Pro Training/ Certification Open to All
Green industry professionals and home gardeners with a keen interest in enhancing their horticultural knowledge can attend classes with Master Gardener trainees. No volunteer payback hours are required; instead, participants pay up front and receive a Hort Pro Certificate from Washington State University Skagit County Extension upon successful completion of training.
The workshops, taught by WSU faculty and other experts, cover subjects including basic botany and entomology, weed / insect / disease management, pesticide safety, soils and fertilizers, vegetable and fruit production, pruning, water quality and plant identification. Classes are held two days per week for six weeks.
The registration deadline is Oct. 15 for the 2009 course, which will start in January. The $400 Hort Pro fee covers all training materials and the certificate. For more information call (360) 428-4270. This is a popular program with limited space, so register early!
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