The NDSU Extension Master Gardener program is accepting applicants. The volunteer service organization beautifies communities, educates the public about gardening, works with youth and encourages conservation of natural resources.
This year's Master Gardener core course is scheduled to run for 10 weeks, beginning Jan. 18 and ending March 29, 2019. Classes will not be held on March 15.
The course will be offered online and in a traditional classroom setting. Students who live near Fargo can attend the live class every Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the NDSU campus. Synchronous classroom training will be held in Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake and Grand Forks, North Dakota, if the demand is high enough.
The majority of students take the class online.
"Online students have the option of participating in the live Friday afternoon class using webinar technology," said Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension horticulturist and Extension Master Gardener director. "Alternatively, students may watch recorded class videos on their computers at their own convenience. Online options allow students to continue taking the class even if they winter in another state."
NDSU faculty and Extension personnel teach classes on such topics as annual and perennial flowers, tree selection and maintenance, soil health, diseases and insects, vegetable and fruit production and lawn maintenance.
After completing the training, participants are known as Master Gardener interns. They must volunteer 48 hours of time during a two-year period on horticultural projects in cooperation with NDSU Extension. After that, they are certified Master Gardeners.
Tuition for the 2019 class is $225 plus an application fee of $35 for persons wanting to become a certified Extension Master Gardener, or $400 for the non-volunteer option. Internet access, computer knowledge and an email account are required.
Twenty-seven North Dakota counties will accept a limited number of Master Gardener applications. The application deadline is Oct. 29.
For more information, contact your NDSU Extension county office or McGinnis at 701-231-7971 or esther.mcginnis@ndsu.edu.
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