Hutchinson, KS – If you enjoy gardening, want to learn more about it and have some spare time on your hands for volunteer work, then the Extension Master Gardener program might be for you. The Reno County Extension Master Gardener program is currently in need of new volunteers for the 2023-2024 season. Training for new volunteers will begin on September 14. Classes will be held every Thursday until December 14 except on Thanksgiving Day. Class time will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Training is held with Butler and Harvey Counties and class locations will rotate between the three counties. A one-time fee of $125.00 will be charged to cover the cost of a class reference book and other materials.
The Extension Master Gardener Program is for those individuals who are interested in plants and gardening and enjoy sharing their knowledge for the benefit of others. Prior knowledge of gardening is not necessary to be in the Extension Master Gardening Program. Volunteers will be given approximately 40 hours of college level training in home horticulture. Class subjects include landscaping, soil fertility, insects and diseases, plant problem diagnosis, fruits and vegetables, annual and perennial flowers, native plants, herbs, trees, shrubs, turf and plant propagation. Classes will be taught by Kansas State University faculty and local horticulture industry experts. In return for the training, Extension Master Gardeners are asked to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours to Reno County Extension Master Gardener educational programs during the following growing season.
Anyone interested in becoming an Extension Master Gardener can pick up an application or have questions answered at the Reno County Extension Office, located at 2 W. 10th in South Hutchinson, by calling 620-662-2371, or on the internet at www.reno.ksu.edu. Deadline to submit an application is Friday, September 1.
