If you want to sharpen your gardening skills and you have an interest in sharing your knowledge with others, Ohio State Extension has the ideal program for you.
Beginning with an orientation class on March 13, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. an Ohio State Master Gardener “Basic Training”
series will be offered for residents of Paulding County as well as surrounding counties. The Ohio State Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program that provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects. In turn, participants volunteer by teaching others while representing Ohio State University. As volunteers, participants grow as they share knowledge and provide leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities.
Training sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from March 27 through May 8. Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, and culture of vegetable, flower, landscape, and fruit plants. Classes for the training will be held at Paulding County OSU Extension Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879.
“I think class participants will enjoy learning with people from our neighboring counties and sharing gardening and horticulture ideas. Giving back to the community is such a great feeling,” said Sarah Noggle, Extension Educator in Paulding County.
The cost for the materials and expenses for the series of classes is $150.00 per participant. This expense fee covers such items as the Master Gardener student handbook, handouts, name badges, and other materials. These materials all become part of the Master Gardener’s personal collection. Couples sharing the same single set of materials may attend for a rate of $200.00.
A completed application and payment are required for all potential students by Friday, March 25, 2019. While class participants will be encouraged to create new educational outreach programs, there are already many opportunities for which volunteers are needed. The theme of the Master Gardener Program is “Helping Others Grow.”
If you would like an application to join our league of volunteers or if you have questions about the program, please call Katie Gorrell at Paulding County OSU Extension at 419-399-8225. Katie will mail or hand potential volunteers the application packet.
For additional questions, you can email questions to gorrell.42@osu.edu, walk in the OSU Extension Office at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879 or call (419)399-8225.