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PROJECTS LAWN & GARDEN EXPO LINKS
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Become a Texas Master Gardener... |
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| Who Are Texas Master Gardeners? | |||||
Master Gardeners are members of the local
community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They
are enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others and able to communicate with diverse groups of people. |
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 What really sets Master Gardeners apart from
other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their
training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their
Cooperative
Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their communities. |
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| Is the Master Gardener Program for Me? | |||||
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– Do you want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants? – Are you eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?
– Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with
people? – Do you have enough time to attend training and complete volunteer service hour requirements? – Do you have special interests that could benefit the community or an interest in developing one? (i.e. bird or butterfly knowledge, native gardens, wildflowers, etc.) – Do you have a sincere interest in nature or gardening? |
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| Training/Volunteer Commitment | |||||
 If accepted into the Master Gardener program for
Ellis County, you will be required to attend over 60 hours in
specialized training courses. The program offers instruction in lawn
care, ornamental trees and shrubs,
insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening; home
fruit production; garden flowers; perennials and annuals; and water
conservation. |
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| In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer their time to their County Extension program. Beginning in 2006, a minimum of 75 hours of volunteer service within the eight months following the training are required to earn the title of "Texas Master Gardener." | |||||
| The type of service done by Master Gardeners varies according to community needs and the abilities and interests of the Master Gardeners. In Ellis County you are likely to: | |||||
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– Answer telephone requests for information related to gardening – Staff plant clinics or displays in shopping malls, community centers and garden shops – Speak to local groups and conduct workshops – Work at the
Lawn and Garden Expo – Help maintain established beds through scheduled work days – Work with 4-H youth – Work at the Waxahachie Farmers Market – Assist with news or radio releases related to gardening |
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 The Master Gardener
Coordinator in the County Extension Office decides how volunteer time can be best utilized.
Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas A&M University system, Texas Cooperative
Extension. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master
Gardeners follow the
research-based recommendations of Texas Cooperative Extension. The
title "Texas Master Gardener" can
be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension-sponsored activities.
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| Certification | |||||
Participants become
certified Master Gardeners after they have completed the training course
and fulfilled their
volunteer commitment. Additionally, Master Gardeners are required to
obtain re-certification
hours each year in order to maintain their title, as well as volunteering
for a minimum number of hours. |
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| For More Information on the 2007 Training Program | |||||
| Download this Cover Letter and Application. | |||||
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