News Release
January 30, 2009

UW CES Master Gardener classes offered in Albany and Carbon counties

Master Gardener classes will be taught in Albany and Carbon counties, and members of the public are welcome to become volunteers with the program, according to the instructor, Kellie Chichester.

“The Master Gardener program is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in horticulture,” said Chichester, a University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) educator for Albany and Carbon counties.

“It also allows folks with similar interests to network and share information with the community by answering horticultural questions.”

Chichester said there are seven active Master Gardener volunteers in Albany County, and, as of Jan. 28, four residents had registered for the upcoming classes, which run weekly from March 17 to May 26 at the Albany County Fairgrounds.

She said several Carbon County residents have registered for the classes in Rawlins, which will run weekly from Feb. 18-April 29 at the Carbon Building. Currently, there is no active Master Gardener program in Carbon County, and Chichester is excited this is about to change based on that county’s interest.

Classes in both counties are 6-9 p.m.

“Participants receive a minimum of 40 hours of horticultural training from UW CES specialists,” she said. “Topics include soils, vegetable gardening, plant pathology, entomology and much more. Each participant wishing to become a Master Gardener must return 40 hours of volunteer time.”

She said volunteer service includes, but is not limited to, answering horticulture questions from the public and accompanying a UW CES educator on yard calls.

The registration fee is $160 for those wishing to purchase the comprehensive UW CES Master Gardener handbook, or it is $85 for those not purchasing the book.

Chichester said $75 will be refunded to participants who complete at least 40 hours community service.

Those interested in taking the course are encouraged to register as soon as possible to help Chichester plan.

To register, contact Chichester at (307) 721-2571 or kelliec@uwyo.edu, or UW CES State Master Gardener Coordinator Raina Spence at (307) 766-2076 or rspence@uwyo.edu.

More information is on the UW Center for Conferences and Continuing Education Web page at http://outreach.uwyo.edu/enrichment/spinterest.asp. Scroll toward the bottom of the page.

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Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor
Phone: (307) 766-3571
E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu