Broward Blog

Broward County Accepting Applications for Florida Master Gardener Program

January 25th, 2008

Broward County residents interested in improving their skills and knowledge of gardening, whether it’s vegetable gardening, fruit, or flowers, can now submit an application to the Florida Master Gardener Program that will be conducted beginning March 12 and ending May 28, 2008. Interviews for prospective students will be conducted all day on Wednesday and Thursday, February 20 and 21, at the Extension Office, 3245 College Ave., Davie.

Accepted participants receive more than 96 hours of classroom and field training from University of Florida professors, horticulture professionals, gardening specialists and County Agents. All classes are held at the Broward County Extension Education Office, 3245 College Ave., Davie.

Master Gardeners learn about: sustainable, Florida-friendly landscaping, including the use of native species; water and soil conservation, best management practices for irrigation; and Integrated Pest Management for homes and landscapes. The Master Gardeners receive intensive instruction in their central role working the Public Answer Hotline and as Florida Yards & Neighborhoods/NatureScape Yard Inspectors as they serve the residents of Broward County.

Upon successful completion of the course, Master Gardeners are expected to volunteer in the Extension Office, answering plant and pest questions for Broward County homeowners; participating in municipal and County environmental events; and fulfilling other duties. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of extensive bibliographic, lecture, and lab materials the students will receive during the course.

During Calendar Year 2007, Master Gardeners provided solutions for sustainable landscaping and integrated pest management problems for nearly 11,000 Broward residents and their associations at the Extension Office. Through their volunteer participation in local civic, municipal, and County events, Master Gardeners served nearly 31,000 residents.

For more information, contact Sandy Granson, sgranson AT broward.org, or Gloria Witkus, gwitkus AT broward.org, at UF-IFAS/Broward County Extension Education, 954-370-3725. To download an application, click here or visit the web site at www.broward.org/extension and click on Urban Horticulture, then Master Gardener, both located on the left side of the screen, to link to the application.

Entry Filed under: Broward News