Training and Continuing Education

Gardening Seminars and Shows

Events Sponsored by Winnebago County Master Gardeners

Wild Flower Walk Waushara County, May 1, 2010
Buying Trip to Wisconsin Amish, April 24, 2010
Trip to Ball Horticultural Gardens, August 6, 2010

Events Sponsored by Other Master Gardener Groups

Bluff County Master Gardeners present Spring into Gardening Workshop, Saturday, March 6, 2010, LaCrosse, WI (PDF)
Outagamie County Master Gardners present The Nature of Things, Saturday, March 6, 2010, Appleton, WI (PDF)
Fond du Lac County Master Gardners present A Day in the Garden, Saturday March 13, 2010, Fond du Lac, WI (PDF)
Wisconsin Acidified Canned Food Training for Small Food Processors, see brochure for dates and cities (PDF)

Community Education Opportunities

2010 Fall Master Gardener Training

The Basic Master Gardener Volunteer training will be hosted in the fall again this year, starting September 7. I want to encourage prospective new Master Gardener Volunteers to attend an introductory event at the J.P. Coughlin Center at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 10. The goal of this introductory meeting is to help the general public understand Master Gardener training is preparation for volunteer service, not just a gardening class. People will be able to fill out the paperwork and pay the class fees at this time. If you have a friend who has expressed interest in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer, please advise them to attend.

This training will provide Master Gardener Volunteers with the core knowledge and resources to better serve the horticulture interests of the community. Basic Training will be held at the James P. Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh. Classes will be presented typically on Wednesday evenings from 6–9 p.m. The 12-week class will begin September 7. Basic training cost is $TBD per person which includes first year Master Gardener enrollment and education materials. Make checks payable to the Winnebago County Master Gardener Association. Ask about reduced rates for couples. Topics included in the Basic Training are: Plant Propagation, Soils, Woody Ornamentals, Herbaceous Perennials, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weeds, Vegetables, Fruit, Native and Invasive Plants, and Backyard wildlife.

Call UW-Ex ag agent/MG advisor, Nick Schneider, at 920-232-1971 if interested.

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 2010 training classes required for certification are tentatively scheduled for Fall 2010. 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.