Become a Master Gardener Volunteer

The Door County Master Gardeners Association (DCMGA) is offering a training program this winter for anyone wanting to become a Master Gardener Volunteer. Under the guidance of the UW Extension System, this program will train all who have an interest in gardening; prospective volunteers do not need to be an expert gardener or horticultural whiz to qualify.

These are the steps to becoming a volunteer:

• Complete 36 hours of education coursework. The training course begins in January and continues through winter. These classes are discussions of resource materials, lectures, labs and hands-on workshops. There is a fee for training materials.

• Complete 24 hours of volunteer time for the association. Ways to complete these hours include working in The Garden Door, getting plants ready for the annual plant sale, planning and providing education programs, working with the youth program, and/or getting involved with one of the committees.

• Pass an open-book exam at the end of the program.

After successfully completing these requirements, participants will be certified as Wisconsin Master Gardener Volunteers through the UW Extension Master Gardener Program and become a member of DCMGA.

For application materials visit http://www.dcmga.org or stop by the UW Extension office at the Government Office at 421 Nebraska Street in Sturgeon Bay. Completed forms need to be returned to that office by 12 pm on Nov. 27.

For more information, contact Char Rowe at 920.743.5771.