ISU Extension Announces Fall Master Gardener Program in Mason City

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Iowa State University Extension will offer the Master Gardener program to interested gardeners beginning September 8. Prospective Master Gardeners are individuals with an active interest in growing flowers, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, trees, and lawns.

Master Gardener interns attend 40 hours of classes taught by Iowa State University Extension staff and specialists. The topics range from lawn care, flower and vegetable gardening, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit crops, and houseplants to insect, disease, and weed control, soil and plant nutrition, and pesticide safety.

For Interns to earn the distinction of Master Gardener, they are asked to volunteer 40 hours of service to their local Iowa State University Extension program to be completed during the year following their training. Service opportunities take many forms. They could include answering telephone requests for gardening information, staffing plant clinics or displays, speaking to local groups, teaching youth, providing horticulture therapy activities, supervising county fair horticulture activities and serving as 4-H garden project coordinators.

Master Gardener classes will be held at the Cerro Gordo County Extension Office, 2023 South Federal, Mason City, on Tuesday evenings starting September 8 with an orientation and continue weekly ending November 3. In addition there are four classes on Thursday nights, and 2 Saturday classes on the Iowa State University campus. Pre-registration is requested by September 1. Cost for the program is $125. For more information or to sign up for the Master Gardener class, contact the Cerro Gordo County Extension Office at 641-423-0844 or email xcerrogordo@iastate.edu

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