2018 Master Gardener Spring Training
Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener? University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will be having a Master Gardener training starting in February, at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk. There will be a total of six training sessions on Tuesday evenings February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, & 13 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. The Master Gardener program is for individuals who want to learn more about gardening and horticulture and share their knowledge with others. Those wishing to become Master Gardeners will need to pay a one time initial training fee of $100. The fee includes The Master Gardener Handbook and trainings. Then volunteer hours are to be reported to UNL.
Those attending training sessions without intending to become a Master Gardener do not need to pay the initial training fee. For non-Master Gardeners, there will be a charge of $5 per person for each training session attended. All six training sessions can be attended for $25. For more information, please contact the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office in Madison County 402-370-4040.
2018 Topics and Speakers: Brochure
February 6 – CHOW: SNAP-ED Programs: Teaming up with Community Gardens - Morgan Hartlin, Extension Educator SNAP-ED
February 13 – Rots and Spots - Kyle Broderick, Extension Educator Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
February 20 – Vegetable Gardening - John Porter – Extension Educator, Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator
February 27 – Wildlife Management - Dennis Ferraro – Professor of Practice UNL Herpetology
March 6 – Extending Your Gardening Season - Tim Dugan - Agronomy and Horticulture Garduate Student
March 13 –Landscape Management – Kim Todd – Extension Landscape Specialist and Terri James, Extension Educator State EMG Program Coordinator
What is a Master Gardener?
(2018 Brochure updated 1-9-18 - PDF 371 KB on legal size paper )
Master Gardeners are people who love plants, gardening, landscaping, and teaching others. To earn a title of Master Gardener, individuals enroll in the program and receive 40 hours of training from University of Nebraska Lincoln faculty, then volunteer 40 hours of gardening and horticulture related work. There is an initial training fee which covers the training and includes a large Resource Notebook.
No qualifications or prior knowledge about horticulture is needed for the class and there are no final examinations. The only requirement is a desire to share a love of gardening, learning, and a commitment to teach others about horticulture.
To retain the Master Gardener title, volunteers annually attend 10 hours of continuing education classes and programs of their choice and give back 20 hours of volunteer time to their communities and master gardener projects.
The Master Gardening program is affiliated with the Horticulture Department of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln since 1976.
Who are the Northeast Nebraska Master Gardeners?
The Northeast Nebraska Master Gardeners were organized in 1989. They continue to develop and expand the program in Northeast Nebraska working with their county extension offices assisting with horticulture programs. Membership consists of individuals from 15 area counties.
How is the local program run?
The Northeast Nebraska Master Gardeners sponsor monthly educational speakers at the meetings held on the second Saturday of each month in Norfolk. Continuous educational and recertification classes are held in the spring and fall. Tours and special events are held during the year.
What does it cost?
The Northeast Nebraska Master Gardener annual dues are $10 per year. A newsletter is sent monthly and includes meeting dates, class schedule, committee projects and activities.
Scholarships
The Northeast Nebraska Master Gardeners donate $1000.00 each year to NECC students for Horticulture scholarships.
What are some of the projects and activities?
* The Northeast Nebraska Plant Fair held in the early spring, is the major event of the Master Gardeners.
* Gardening column for the Norfolk Daily News.
* Individual Master Gardeners support horticulture through presentations to clubs, community projects, churches, county fairs, schools; maintain gardens in their communities; and assist 4-Hers with horticulture projects.
* Service & training hours are recognized for all members.
