By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – The University of Illinois Extension office invites green thumbs to earn master status.
Training for the unit’s Master Gardeners program begins in February at the McLean County Extension office and continues for 14 consecutive Wednesdays. Master Gardener Paul Klecka said he and his colleagues provide a service for anyone who enjoys making things grow.
“We try to educate the public in good practices for gardening,” Klecka said. “Everything that we talk about and that we do is research-based by universities.”
The Master Gardeners complete a variety of projects and serve as a resource for gardeners in the area, but the status requires commitment. Day-long classes are held once a week on Wednesdays for 14 consecutive weeks, followed by a requirement of 60 volunteer hours over the next two years.
Master Gardener Carl Hedding says maintaining the status requires some work as well.
“Twenty volunteer hours we need every year to stay certified as a Master Gardener,” said Hedding. “There’s 10 hours of office work and 10 hours of continuing education.”
Applicants undergo background screening and an interview. More information is available at the Extension office in Bloomington.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
