If you’ve always wanted to join the savvy band of Master Gardeners you see manning the plant sales, answering questions at farmers markets and presenting lectures about gardening across your county – then this is your year! Master Gardener volunteer programs in Dutchess, Orange and Putnam counties are currently accepting applications and interviewing candidates.
The Master Gardener volunteer programs are part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of each county. (Master Gardeners are found across the nation, as part of other extension services as well!) Applicants are trained in various horticultural practices and garden topics and are required to volunteer for the program in return. Open to residents every two years, the training programs for all mentioned counties begins in September and deadlines are soon, so don’t hesitate and get your application in today!
ORANGE COUNTY
Master Gardener Volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County serve our communities by providing educational gardening programs, assistance with community and school gardens and advice on environmentally friendly gardening, landscaping and pest control options via our Garden Helpline. The Master Gardeners assist thousands of Orange County residents each year by providing researched-based information on timely environmental issues to our communities.
Fee: $300 (includes all materials)
For additional information and to request an application packet, call Debbie Lester, Community Horticulture Educator at (845) 344-1234.
http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/orange/orange.htm
DUTCHESS COUNTY
If you have a basic interest in and knowledge about gardening, enthusiasm for acquiring and sharing horticultural knowledge and skills, interest in teaching others, verbal and written communication skills, a time schedule compatible with program activities and a willingness to volunteer time on horticultural projects and educational activities
then this is the program for you! Training includes courses in gardening, Integrated Pest Management and nuisance wildlife management.
Fee: $300 – Fee is due upon acceptance to the training and is subject to change in future. Should participant cancel, fee is refundable up until the first day of training, minus $100.
If you have any questions email Nancy Halas at nh26@cornell.edu or call 845-677-8223 x115.
http://www.ccedutchess.org/aghort/master-gardeners
Download application HERE.
PUTNAM COUNTY
Master Gardener volunteers help bring science-based information about horticulture, organic gardening, integrated pest management, composting and other garden-related subjects to Putnam County residents. With a complete training course and senior Master Gardener volunteers as mentors, you’ll find yourself helping homeowners learn which plants will thrive in their gardens. You’ll help families and children grow their own food and fight childhood obesity. You’ll learn how to identify insects, plants and plant diseases and teach home gardeners how to control them safely and with minimal impact on the environment.
Fee: $350 – Fee allows us to access Cornell University faculty and to provide each volunteer with a complete Master Gardener training manual and an extensive library of fact sheets and educational material.
Call 845-278-6738 for more information, or download a packet of information at http://www.cce.cornell.edu/putnam.
Download application HERE.
