New Master Gardener training announced

Ohio State University Extension information

The Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program is a national and international organization designed to provide opportunities for gardening enthusiasts of all types and levels to acquire training in numerous aspects of gardening and landscaping, to develop long-lasting friendships with other MGV programs, to learn from other MGVs, and to provide an outlet for those who wish to serve their communities through a unique form of volunteering.

Ohio State University MGV programs work together with The Ohio State University Extension to provide such services to their communities as answering gardening questions, beautifying the community, developing community or demonstration gardens, and other horticultural activities.

Applications are being accepted for the MGV training class of 2015. OSU Master Gardener volunteers are initially given 50 hours of training on information pertaining to gardens, landscapes, plants, diseases, insects and more!  But the training does not stop after the initial training programs.  Opportunities for many types of continuing education are provided through multiple training programs offered through OSU Extension both locally and statewide.

After the training class is completed, new MGV interns are to provide 50 hours of volunteer service to the community as volunteer educators. Even though this sounds like a lot of time, it is not difficult to fulfill this requirement. In fact, most quickly exceed this number long before the end of their first year of service.

Van Wert County Master Gardener volunteers have developed The Children’s Garden, located in Smiley Park on Old Tile Factory Road in Van Wert, to provide an outdoor learning lab for children of all ages. Additional projects include an annual plant sale, semi-annual garden tour, The Garden of the Senses in downtown Van Wert, and more.

An orientation meeting for MGV training for Van Wert County will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 22, in the OSU meeting room on the fairgrounds, 1055 S. Washington St. in Van Wert. Training will be held each Monday and Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. January through March 12, 2015.  All classes will be held at the OSU Extension Office in Van Wert.

Classes will cover a multitude of topics including: Basic botany, soil science, fruits and vegetables, diagnostics, herbs, annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, entomology, houseplants, landscape maintenance, plant pathology, and pesticide safety and use.

For more information on cost and how to obtain an application for the MGV program in Van Wert County, contact Curtis E. Young at 419.238.1214 or email young.2@osu.edu.