Submitted by Brandy Brabham
WVU-Extension Agent
Calhoun & Roane Counties
Recently, local WVU Extension Agent, Brandy Brabham attended an in-service training for WVU Extension Master Gardeners Coordinators, as part of that training Brabham learned that the state has developed a new training manual to be used with future Extension Master Gardener courses.
"I'm very excited about the new manual. It includes updates to all chapters and has two additional chapters," said Brabham. Chapters in the Master Gardener Manual include communications, basic botany, plant propagation, pesticides and pest, entomology, soils & fertilizers, turfgrass management, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, small fruits, pruning, composting, landscape design, indoor plants, woody ornamentals, herbaceous plants, native plants, garden animals, and the two additional chapters, plant diseases and gardening for life.
Using the new manual and horticultural professionals from around the state, Brabham is planning a new course in Spencer, WV at the Roane County Library on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classes will begin on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 and go through October 5, 2011. Applications will be accepted now through Friday, July 15, 2011. There must be at least 10 approved applicants to offer the course. Contact the WVU Extension office in Roane County at 304-927-0975 or e-mail brandy.brabham@mail.wvu.edu to get an application today.
The Extension Master Gardener program and training are conducted by the West Virginia University Extension Service and local county extension office. The training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through organized volunteer activities.
The program requires gardeners to participate in 30 hours of horticultural training in a 10-week period and commit to 30 hours of volunteer service, over a one-year period at the conclusion of training to become a certified West Virginia Master Gardener. A course fee of $80 is required to cover the cost of the newly revised horticultural manual each participant receives. Interested gardeners must apply to be accepted into the program.
A local group of certified Master Gardeners have formed an association, known as the West Central Master Gardeners. This groups meets monthly at noon on the second Thursday of each month to receive continuing education, plan activities and share gardening stories and tips. This group has conducted community service projects in multiple counties including Roane and Calhoun Counties. The group welcomes new Master Gardener trainees to join in on monthly meetings to share ideas and learn about the array of volunteer gardening projects in the area.
The Extension Master Gardener program has state, national, and international affiliations, as well. There are at least 33 Master Gardeners Associations with over 1,200 active Extension Master Gardeners in the state. The is a state association that conducts an annual state conference, puts together a demonstration garden at the State of West Virginia each year, and are currently working on the 2011 International Master Gardeners Conference to be held October 11-14, 2011 in Charleston, West Virginia.
Visit the following websites to learn more about the Extension Master Gardener program in West Virginia,
mastergardeners.ext.wvu.edu or the 2011 International Master Gardeners Conference, slated for Charleston, WV this fall. imgc.ext.wvu.edu
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