Have you been to Lee Park and noticed the containers of colorful flowers? Have you noticed the Butterfly Garden beside the Columbus Riverwalk? This garden has been used as an outdoor classroom this past year and will be used for many years to come to promote gardening and pollinators while beautifying the entry into the Columbus downtown area. Did you know these projects were brought to you by your local Master Gardeners?
“If these projects have caught your attention, you need to seriously think about joining a volunteer group called the Lowndes County Master Gardeners,” said Reid Nevins, Lowndes County Extension Agricultural Agent.
The local volunteer group has brought numerous beautification projects to Columbus such as the landscaping at the downtown post office, reclaimed beds along the side of the YMCA, the front beds of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and the newly-planted landscaping in front of West Lowndes Elementary School, among others, Nevins explained. The Master Gardeners not only want to establish plants for beautification around Columbus, they want to teach others how to cultivate their own striking gardens.
Master Gardener Training begins Feb. 11 and continues through March 18. Classes will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. The location of the interactive video training will be the Lowndes County Extension Office at 318 Seventh St. N. in Columbus.
The program trains individuals who want to serve the County Extension Office as volunteers to assist in Extension horticulture programs, 4-H youth horticulture training and community service projects. Work is done under the direction of the County Extension Agent. This program requires 40 hours of initial training given by Extension specialists. After participants have satisfactorily completed 40 hours of volunteer time in their county during the 12 months following, they will be certified as official Extension Master Gardener volunteers.
To maintain certification, individuals must attend 12 hours of advanced training and volunteer 20 hours of service to the County Extension program annually. The Lowndes County Master Gardeners volunteer an average of more than 50 hours per year.
A fee of $85 is required to enroll. Checks should be made payable to the Lowndes County Master Gardener Volunteers, which funds the training program, materials, CD and meeting refreshments. Should circumstances prevent a participant from attending the class after registration, $50 of that fee is refundable if claimed the first week of class.
To register for the class, contact the Lowndes County Extension Office at 318 Seventh St N. Or contact Nevins at 662-328-2111 or email [email protected] .
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