Training
Information
Master Gardener Program
There is a perception that to become a Master Gardener you must know everything about gardening. This is unrealistic and untrue. To be a WSU Thurston County Master Gardener you must have gardening experience, but more importantly you must have the drive and commitment to be a life long learner and sharer of information.
While this program certainly offers gardeners opportunities to gain personal knowledge in a variety of different gardening subjects, our primary focus with this training is to develop gardening focused community educators. Once trained, Master Gardener volunteers help deliver messages related to water-wise gardening, composting, low-impact landscaping; as well as diagnosing plant diseases and identifying insects/pests. We provide a number of different venues, including demonstration gardens and clinics, for volunteers to deliver these messages. The Master Gardener training will also teach you how to access even more resources for those subjects you may not know too much about. You will become part of the 200 Thurston County Master Gardeners who have very diverse backgrounds of gardening expertise and interests. As a result of this diversity you will have fun learning from one another while making lifelong friendships.
Master Gardener Training
Program Detail:
The Master Gardener training program is seventeen sessions over a four month period covering 24 topics from the basics of botany and soils to the complexities of Entomology and plant disease recognition. The training classes are done either in person or by using the new on-line training program. Each Master Gardener trainee is assigned a mentor to assist him/her in the education process. For 2010, the class will be held once a week on Friday's beginning on February 5th and finishing on May 28th. Half of these weeks you will be doing assignments at home on your own time. At home class assignments need to be complete by each Friday afternoon. The other half of the time we will be meeting in a classroom to hear a presenter speak on a subject or to do a hands-on activity/lesson. When we meet as a group we will begin at 9:00 A.M. and go until 4:30 P.M. Morning, afternoon and lunch breaks will be provided. We also have two catch-up weeks scheduled within the above timeframe in case you need more time to complete the assignments. Where:
When we do meet as a group the classes will be held in a variety of locations. Most of the speaker presentations and initial on-line computer training will be done at the Hawks Prairie South Puget Sound Community College Satellite Campus. Details of when and where we will meet will be given upon acceptance into the program.
Class Fee:
The cost for the 2010 training is $275.00. For those accepted into the program this fee will be due on the first day of class, February 5, 2010. A limited amount of scholarships will be available. See the below application for details.
A non-volunteer track (for professional or personal enrichment with no desire of volunteering) is also available. The cost is $500 and space is limited. Contact the program manager at 360-867-2162 for more details about this option.
Application Process:
To become a WSU Master Gardener you must fill out an application. We will accept applications up through the end of the November 6th business day. Our goal is to be able to train 50 new Master Gardener trainees in the 2010 class. You are urged to return your application as promptly as possible. Due to the large quantity of applications received, we cannot accept all that apply. Applicants not accepted for this class will be notified by the end of December and are welcome to reapply another year. Applications will be reviewed and acceptance into the program will be based on the following criteria:
-
Attendance at one of the following informational orientation sessions held at the Thurston County Extension Office- 4131 Mud Bay Road, Olympia, WA 98502. Our office is in the old McLane Firehouse right off of Highway 101 on Mud Bay Road. At these sessions you will learn what it takes to be a WSU Master Gardener. This includes program expectations as well as all the benefits you will receive being a WSU Master Gardener. The following sessions will allow you to see if the WSU Master Gardener Program is a right fit for you. Pre-registration is not necessary.
- October 15th from 4:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
- October 24th from 10 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
- October 28th from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
- October 29th from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M
-
A complete, signed and received application by November 6, 2009.
-
The skill set(s) that you have to offer our program. Please make sure you highlight these skills in your application.
-
You have access to the internet and have an email account.
-
Your availability-not only to attend and complete all training's/classes but also to complete the yearly volunteer hour requirement.
-
Each applicant must submit as part of their application a Criminal Background Disclosure Form. Acceptance into the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program is contingent upon the report from the Washington State Patrol. All information is confidential.
Please download the following application and program fact sheet.
If you have any further questions please contact Cori Carlton, Master Gardener Manager, at 360-867-2162 or carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us.
Master Composter Training
The
Master Composter course training is approximately 18 hours which includes the following
topics:
Your
Role as a composter
-
Biology
of the Compost Pile
-
Fundamentals
of Composting
-
Safety
Aspects of Composting
-
Making
a Compost Pile
-
Maintaining
& Troubleshooting Compost Piles
-
Using
the Compost
In return for the education, participants
who are selected are asked to volunteer 40 hours to Master Composter
activities within the first year, sharing what they've learned
with home gardeners in the Thurston County. The next Master Composter Training will happen in 2010. Please contact Cori Carlton, Program Manager to add your name to the interest list. 360-867-2162 or carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us |
