Posted: January 9, 2022
Trainees in Clinton County recently took a big step toward becoming Penn State Extension certified Master Gardeners by passing their Basic Training mid-term exams.
Photo credit: Master Gardener Candy Gore
Since October, 2021 trainees have been attending virtual weekly classes focused on Botany, Plant Propagation, Soil Health, Fertilizers, Composting, Controlling Pests Safely, Basic Entomology, Plant Diseases, Indoor Plants, and Vegetables. They have also learned about the history of Penn State Extension, had an opportunity to meet and talk with many of Clinton County's certified Master Gardeners, and been introduced to Extension's new Volunteer Portal, which provides information and resources for volunteers, connects them to service opportunities, and helps them keep track of their volunteer and continuing education hours.
During the second half of the basic training program, trainees will focus on Lawn Care, Tree Fruits, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Communications, Pruning, Woody Ornamentals, Herbaceous Plants, Small Fruits, Plant Diagnostics, Weeds, and Invasive Species. A hands-on pruning workshop has been scheduled for March, during which trainees will have the opportunity to apply their pruning skills with guidance from instructors.
Due to the pandemic, basic training was moved to an all-virtual format for the first time in the fall of 2020. The virtual format provided for considerably more scheduling flexibility than on-site classes and proved to be very popular with trainees.
This year's basic training class is one of the largest ever for Clinton County. Weekly class meetings are conducted by Master Gardeners Amy Strong and Charles Kincaid, with assistance from Master Gardener Coordinator Debra Burrows. Final exams will be given in the spring, after which trainees will move to the apprenticeship phase of their training where they are required to complete 50 hours of volunteer time working with and learning from experienced Master Gardeners. Apprentices help with a variety of projects designed to provide home gardening education, information, and resources to the public such as maintaining demonstration gardens at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, writing gardening articles for local newspapers, answering questions through the garden hotline, helping with the annual plant sale, and more.
The next Master Gardener Basic Training class in Clinton County is scheduled to begin in October, 2022.
