The Grayson County Extension Office is currently accepting enrollment for the Kentucky Master Gardener Training Program for 2019. The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer organization of the University of Kentucky, and consists of 14, 3-4 hour sessions, which will meet weekly on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. The cost of the program is $100 per person, or $150 per couple (blood relative or spouse). This cost includes the Kentucky Master Gardener Training Manual and all resource materials and incentives. Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis, and 25 individuals will be accepted into the program.
Participants can expect a rigorous training program, which includes a syllabus for each session, reading assignments, quizzes, homework, and a final exam. The curriculum includes a wide variety of horticulture subjects. The program will be taught through classroom lectures, labs, and demonstrations. Instructors include University of Kentucky professors and specialists, County Extension agents, and local horticulturists.
At the completion of the classroom training, there is a final exam, and a score of 75% is required for graduation to become an Intern Gardener. The Intern Gardener phase is the time period in which each gardener will have one year to complete the mandatory 40 hours of volunteer service, which is required to become a Certified Kentucky Master Gardener. Volunteer activities may commence once training begins, and must be approved by the County Extension Agent administering the program. Once gardeners have obtained the status of a certified Kentucky Master Gardener, they must complete 20 volunteer hours per year plus 10 continuing education hours in order to maintain their status.
To register for the Master Gardener Training Program, you must complete and return the Master Gardener Program Application, which includes the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Volunteer Application with mandatory background check, and Guidelines for the Kentucky Master Gardener Program. All University of Kentucky staff, as well as all program volunteers, are required to pass a criminal background check. Application packages can be picked up at the Extension Office at the office at 123 Commerce Drive in Leitchfield. All completed packet documents should be returned to the Grayson County Extension Office by December 21, 2018, along with your check for the $50 DEPOSIT, made payable to the Grayson County Extension Service. The remainder of the balance is due by January 15, 2019. After receipt of your application packet and deposit, and successfully passing the criminal background check, you will receive a letter with final instructions. The first session of the program is February 6, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
You should note that the Grayson County Master Gardener Association is offering partial scholarships to individual(s) that are in financial need. Scholarship recipients will be required to complete additional volunteer requirements in exchange for financial assistance. If you would like to apply for a Master Gardener partial scholarship, please don’t hesitate to ask and all inquiries are totally confidential.
If you have any questions about the Kentucky Master Gardener Training Program, please contact Whitney Carman or Susan Martin at the Grayson County Extension Office, at (270) 259-3492 or by email at whitney.carman@uky.edu or semartin@uky.edu.
