Training and Continuing Education

Garden Visions 2009: Under the Cloak of Winter * January 30 - February 1

The Plaza Hotel & Suites in Wausau, WI will host 2009 Garden Visions Conference. Join us for Friday Night Extra and a Photography Contest. For the Friday Night Extra participants can register starting at 4 pm * workshops will run from 6-9 pm and there are 12 sessions to choose from. Saturday will feature keynote speaker Art Wolk, author Glorious Gardens for Pennies and Garden Lunacy. The Saturday conference fee of $40 includes two main speakers, three breakout sessions, and lunch. There will be lots of exhibits, vendors, catalogs, and magazines. The day will close with door prizes and a raffle featuring a Troy-Bilt(r) Cultivator, Gardeners Dream Package, 5 Fiskars Gardening Tools, and more. Sunday will conclude with post-conference tours.

Garden Visions Brochure and Registration Form (PDF file)
Garden Visions Photo Contest with Entry Form (PDF file)

Community Education Opportunities

Sponsored by: Winnebago County Master Gardener Association

1. Eco-Friendly Backyard Apple Production. Presented by David Parsons, Tuesday, January 13, 6 – 7 p.m., Coughlin Center, Oshkosh. No charge
2. All About Trees—Selection, Planting, Care. Presented by Dan Traas, president of Ranger Services Inc., Saturday, January 17, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Coughlin Center, Oshkosh. $10
3. Bus trip to WPT Garden Expo, Madison. Saturday, February 14, 6:30 a.m., Appleton (UW-Ext. Office); 7:00 a.m., Oshkosh (Coughlin Center); 7:20 a.m., Fond du Lac (Kohl’s parking lot). Return time about 6:50 p.m. $39 (includes WPT Expo ticket)  Registration Form for Bus Trip
4. “The Bones of the Garden—A Closer Look at Garden Design.” Presented by Sheila Glaske, curator of horticulture at The Paine, Thursday, February 19, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Coughlin Center, Oshkosh. $10
5. Pruning Ornamental Shrubs and Sub-Shrubs. Presented by Master Gardeners Audrey Ruedinger and Roy Anne Moulton, Saturday, March 14, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Coughlin Center, Oshkosh. $10
6. One-Day Plant Buying Trip to the Madison Area. Saturday, May 2. More details to come!

Registration Form (PDF File)

For more information contact:
Audrey Ruedinger, (920) 231-5745 or aruedinger2@new.rr.com

Training

To become a Master Gardener, you must complete approved training and certain volunteer experience to become certified. Once you're certified, you must complete annual training and volunteer hours to maintain your certification.

The Winnebago County MG Association's 2008 training classes required for certification are tentatively scheduled for Fall 2008. Please watch this site for changing information. In the meantime, you can enjoy continuing education activities and seminars through the association. Or, you might choose to participate in the certification training in a neighboring county.

What type of training is offered?

General Training and Specialized Training are the two types of classes that are offered for certification as a Master Gardener. Not all counties offer both types of training.

What topics are covered in General Training?

You will receive a minimum of 36 hours of in-depth classroom training on a variety of horticulture topics including soils, botany, entomology, plant pathology, houseplants, landscaping, turf, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.

What topics are covered in Specialized Training?

These programs are offered only in selected counties. Topics include floriculture, vegetable and fruit production, and ornamentals (including trees and shrubs) and turf management.

When are classes held? 

The Winnebago County MG Association's 2008 training classes required for certification are tentatively scheduled for Fall 2008. Please watch this site for changing information. In the meantime, you can enjoy continuing education activities and seminars through the association. Or, you might choose to participate in the certification training in a neighboring county. Contact the county extension office or visit the web site of the county of your choice.

Do I have to take exams?

Historically, an open-book final exam is given at the end of each training program. You must pass this exam with a minimum score of 70% to become certified.