Nebraska Extension is offering the Master Gardener Training Program beginning in February for people who have an interest in lawn or gardens, are willing to become a trained volunteer, and who like to help people in their communities.
Weekly sessions in February and March will provide Master Gardeners with research-based horticulture education, preparing them to share their knowledge with others in the community.
The training is open to anyone who is interested in plants and is willing to volunteer. In exchange for the training, Master Gardeners are asked to volunteer to their local communities.
They work closely with Extension educators in the local office in solving problems or giving information. They also give talks or workshops to the public or write news articles about various phases of horticulture in which they are knowledgeable. Some may talk on care of house plants, others on flowers, vegetable gardening or other horticulture-related subjects.
The fee to participate in Master Gardener Training is $35 for either fundamental or proficient sessions. The cost to attend both sets of sessions is $50. Individual sessions are $12 each.
Participants can purchase an optional Master Gardener Handbook as a reference. At the end of the training sessions, Master Gardeners are required to give 40 hours of volunteer service to their local Extension office or community.
The topics include:
• Feb. 9: Putting Perennials to Work
• Feb. 16: Basic Botany/Plant Identification
• Feb. 23: Weed Identification and Control
• March 1: Communicating Important Yard and Garden Issues
• March 8: Efficient Landscape Irrigation

Anyone who is interested in participating or who has questions is encouraged to contact Gary Stone, Extension Educator in Scotts Bluff County, at 308-632-1230.