Welcome to Skagit County

October 2nd, 2012

WSU Skagit County Master Gardener Program Seeking Volunteer Educators

The WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardener Program is accepting applications for their 2013 Master Gardener Annual Training. Master Gardener volunteer educators will receive WSU computer-based course work along with 10 weeks of classroom meetings for hands-on activities in home horticulture, integrated pest management, and plant problem diagnosis from WSU specialists and other experts.

The Master Gardener on-line coursework with weekly assignments is done on the student's own schedule, with group meetings each Tuesday at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center in Bay View beginning on Tuesday, January 8. The cost of the Master Gardener training is $400. A refund of $100 will be given to those Master Gardener interns completing their 60 hours of volunteer work in their first year. Every following year, 25 volunteer hours are required to remain in the Master Gardener program. Master Gardener volunteers provide the Skagit County community with unbiased, research-based information relating to home horticulture through approved Master Gardener projects.

Those unable to commit to Master Gardener volunteer hours can sign up as a " Pro Hort" participant. The "Pro Hort" fee is $500 for educational materials and training with no commitment to give back the required volunteer hours. The Pro Hort certificate will not include Master Gardener designation. To request an application, call (360) 428-4270, ext. 0; go on-line at http://www.skagit.wsu.edu/MG/apply.htm or write to WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardener Program, 11768 Westar Lane, Ste. A, Burlington, WA 98233.