Posted: January 9, 2022
Basic training for those interested in becoming Penn State Extension Certified Master Gardeners in Potter County began in early January.
Photo credit: Master Gardener Candy Gore
Five trainees are enrolled in the class which will meet weekly until mid-May. Due to the pandemic, basic training classes are utilizing a virtual format which has proven to be very popular with trainees, because it provides considerably more scheduling flexibility and reduces travel, which is especially helpful during the winter months.
The class focuses on a different topic each week using webinars, assigned readings in the Penn State Master Gardener Manual, and online "check your knowledge" quizzes. Topics include Botany, Plant Propagation, Soil Health, Fertilizers, Composting, Controlling Pests Safely, Basic Entomology, Plant Diseases, Indoor Plants, Vegetables, Lawn Care, Tree Fruits, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Communications, Pruning, Small Fruits, Woody Ornamentals, Herbaceous Plants, Weeds, Plant Diagnostics, Weeds and Invasive Species. A hands-on pruning workshop has been scheduled for later in January during which trainees will have the opportunity to apply their pruning skills with guidance from an instructor.
As part of the classes, trainees will also learn about the history of Penn State Extension, have opportunities to meet and talk with several certified Master Gardeners, and be 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.
Weekly class meetings are conducted by Clinton County Master Gardeners Amy Strong and Charles Kincaid, with guidance from Debra Burrows, a retired Extension Educator who coordinates the Master Gardener Program in Clinton County. Dr. Burrows was asked to help out after the Potter County Master Gardener Coordinator resigned and the position remained vacant for an extended period due to lack of applicants, another side-effect of the pandemic. The coordinator position is currently being advertised and Burrows is hopeful that a new coordinator can be brought onboard by the time the current class is completed. Burrows will then work with the new coordinator to expand Master Gardener program services available in Potter County to include assistance with community gardens, delivery of gardening workshops for the public, a native plant sale, a gardening blog or newspaper column, an expansion of the current garden hotline services, and more.
The current group of trainees will take their final exams in late May, after which they will move to the apprenticeship phase of their training where they are required to complete 50 hours of volunteer service with guidance from experienced Master Gardeners. If all goes as planned, they will be ready to get started just as the growing season gets underway.
The next Master Gardener Basic Training class in Potter County is scheduled to begin in October, 2022.
