If you love gardening, consider becoming a North Dakota Master Gardener volunteer in collaboration with the NDSU Extension Service.
Master Gardener training is convenient and flexible. The course will be offered online and in a traditional classroom setting.
"If weekday morning classes conflict with your schedule, watch online lectures in the comfort of your home on your own schedule," said Esther McGinnis, North Dakota Master Gardener director. "For those who prefer traditional learning, classroom training will be conducted in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Forman, Grand Forks, Minot, Napoleon, Rugby and Williston."
Online and classroom sessions will run for 10 weeks, Sept. 19-Nov. 21. Classroom training will be held every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during this time.
Course topics include annual and perennial flowers, tree selection and maintenance, soil health, composting, plant diseases and pests and vegetable and fruit production. NDSU faculty and NDSU Extension personnel teach the classes.
Once training is completed, interns will volunteer 48 hours of time during a two-year period on horticultural projects in their home counties. After that, they will earn a Master Gardener title.
Projects include answering questions at county fairs, organizing horticultural workshops, and managing school and community gardens.
Tuition for the 2014 class is $150 for those wishing to become a certified master gardener or $400 for those just interested in taking the class. Computer knowledge, Internet access and an email account are required.
Class size is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is Sept. 2. A registration form is available at www.ag.ndsu.edu/mastergardener/. For more information, contact your local NDSU Extension Service office or McGinnis at 701-231-7406.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.