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2012 Master Gardener class begins Jan. 26
SAN BENITO – The Texas Master Gardener Volunteer program in Cameron County kicks off its 14th year this month with weekly — instead of monthly — classes, Texas AgriLife Extension Service officials said.
“We went to weekly classes last year and it worked quite well,” said Jennifer Herrera, county horticulture agent and coordinator of the Master Gardener program. “We switched to weekly classes so that participants can graduate and complete their volunteer work to become certified Master Gardeners in the spring, when many of our community gardening activities take place.”
Classes include weekly hands-on horticultural activities at the county’s Master Garden Arboretum, Herrera said.
A Master Gardener intern orientation will be held 9 a.m. Jan. 19 at the San Benito County Annex Building at Williams Road and U.S. Highway 83/77.
Classes begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 26 and meet weekly until March 29 at the same location, she said.
“We hold an orientation prior to the beginning of classes so that everybody knows what is expected of them before they sign up,” she said. “We’ll provide a class schedule during orientation to discuss our Master Gardener programs and the rules and regulations of attending classes.”
The Master Gardener Association Committee will screen and approve applicants to ensure their commitment to volunteer service, Herrera said.
“We want everybody to understand what they’re getting into, plus prospective students will meet other Master Gardeners and the association officers,” she said.
Those who sign up for the training by AgriLife Extension personnel agree to provide at least 50 hours of horticulture-related volunteer service to the community by April 5.
“Once they become Master Gardeners, they can re-certify with 20 hours of volunteer service annually to stay active in the Texas Master Gardener program,” Herrera said.
Class topics, taught by local experts, include composting, landscape drip irrigation, insect control and identification, rainwater harvesting, native plant landscaping, landscape design, plant propagation, raised-bed vegetable production, water harvesting and tree care.
“The class ends with a day tour in Starr County at the Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery,” she said.
For more information and/or applications, contact the AgriLife Extension office for Cameron County at (956) 361-8236.
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Rod Santa Ana is a Texas AgriLife communications specialist.
