Master Gardener Training Begins in January

The 2013 crop of new Door County Master Gardeners talked about the amount of knowledge they gained, the people they met and the volunteer opportunities they were introduced to by going through the required training program to become members of the Door County Master Gardeners Association (DCMGA).

Applications are being accepted through noon on Nov. 27 to go through the 2014 program, which starts in January.

To become certified, you must undergo a background check (required by the administering organization, the University of Wisconsin Extension System), complete the minimum 36 hours of training, sign a volunteer agreement, achieve a 70 percent or better score on the final open-book exam and complete at least 24 hours of volunteer service within one year of training.

Recertification is required annually to remain a Master Gardener Volunteer in good standing. To be recertified you must complete 10 hours of continuing education and provide 24 hours of volunteer service.

The class fee is $70 and is due on the first night of class. For more information and for application forms, visit dcmga.org. Completed application and background check forms must be received by the UW-Extension office in the Government Center at 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, by noon on the last Tuesday of November.