Master Gardner program is set

Like gardening?  Like helping others?  Apply now for the 2015 Master UConn Master Gardener Program training class.  The program gets under way in January in Brooklyn, CT at the Windham County UConn Extension Center.  The program provides training to those who desire to know more about all kinds of gardening and who want to share this knowledge with others. The MG program is a state-wide program sponsored by UConn’s Department of Extension, part of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. The class will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays beginning Jan. 9.  

For applications: go to:  www.mastergardener.uconn.edu or go to the center in Brooklyn on Wolf Den Road. Deadline is Nov. 7.  Cost is $415 and partial scholarships may be available based on financial need.

The program usually finishes in April and MG interns continue their training helping fellow gardeners solve garden problems.   MG Interns work as volunteers in one of UConn’s Extension Centers using their newly expanded gardening knowledge and the Center’s resources to answer questions from the public. “

Educational Outreach is the third phase of the MG training program.   May through September MG Interns work on projects to benefit the public.  Examples of such projects are:  Peoples Harvest Community Garden in Pomfret (which supplies vegetables to local soup kitchens), helping develop gardens at Palmer Arboretum in Woodstock, developing display gardens at the Extension Center in Brooklyn, and helping with gardens at Goodwin Conservation Center in Hampton. 

The program requires 30 hrs of in-office service (Centers are open M-F during business hours), spread out over five months (May-Sept) and 30 hours of outreach projects. For info call: 860-774-9600.