Master Gardener training begins Sept. 20 in Jackson

Do you have a green thumb and want to share your love of gardening and growing things with others? Then the Missouri Master Gardener Training Program might be right for you.

The program, which is facilitated by the University of Missouri Extension Center, provides in-depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri who then volunteer their time to help others in their communities learn about gardening and environmental education.

"We usually offer (the program) at least once a year somewhere in the local area," says Donna Aufdenberg, horticulture specialist at the University Extension Center in Marble Hill, Missouri.

A bumblebee searches for nectar on a passion flower outside the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

This fall, the core course training will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 20 through Oct. 27. The classes will be held at the Cape Girardeau County Extension Center in Jackson. The cost of the class is $165, which includes the Master Gardener Core Manual, state fees, refreshments and speaker fees. The registration deadline is Sept. 13.

"We typically offer the training in the evenings," Aufdenberg says. "But we wanted to offer it to stay-at-home moms and others who don't work outside of the home who wouldn't normally come out (for the training) in the evenings."

There are approximately 150 Master Gardeners in the three-county area of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties, according to Aufdenberg.

"About 70 of those keep their status active by turning in their (service) hours," she says.

After completing the training, Master Gardeners volunteer at least 30 hours each year to educate others on gardening topics and research-based horticulture information.

Volunteer activities may include:

-- Working in clinics to help local residents diagnose plant and insect problems

Jamie Koehler, a Master Gardener, stands among the wildflowers outside the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016.Laura Simon

-- Writing articles for newsletters and newspapers

-- Exhibiting at home and garden shows and fairs

-- Organizing community gardening projects

-- Developing youth gardening programs

-- Teaching gardening classes

-- Conducting home horticulture research

-- Assisting in senior gardening programs

Jamie Koehler, a Master Gardener, shows a black-eyed Susan outside the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016.Photo by Laura Simon

Participants in the Master Gardener training program receive two certificates of completion.

"You receive one certificate for completing the training, and another for completing the service hours," Aufdenberg says.

She adds that Master Gardeners are valuable to the community.

Jamie Koehler, a Master Gardener, sits outside the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016.Laura Simon

"The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to pass on research-based information," she says. "Since we have a limited staff at the Missouri Extension Service, the Master Garden program really helps out a lot."

Jamie Koehler, assistant manager of the Cape Girardeau County Conservation Nature Center, has been a certified Master Gardener for 10 years.

"My parents are Master Gardeners," she says. "I was attracted to gardening and my parents provided a good foundation ... I wanted to expand my knowledge of gardening and hang out with some people who could speak my language."

Koehler has worked on a variety of projects through the Master Gardener program.

"I helped implement the Garden to Table Program at South Elementary School in Jackson ... and I also work in the Community Garden in Cape," she says. "I've worked in the garden in Shawnee Park (in Cape Girardeau) and also taught gardening and cooking classes there."

Koehler believes the Master Gardener program has a positive effect on local communities.

"There is lots of interest in our area communities in a wide variety of gardening," she says. "We try to lead our communities in gardening's best practices."

For more information on the upcoming Missouri Master Gardener Training Program, contact Donna Aufdenberg at (573) 238-2420 or aufdenbergd@missouri.edu.