Mario Bautista
The Laurel County Extension Office is pleased to announce the start of a new season for the Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program. The program will be led by Steve Mobley, Extension Agent for Horticulture, and Jasmine Fox, Agriculture and Horticulture Program Assistant.
The Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer initiative that trains community members to work alongside the Laurel County Extension Office staff. These volunteers provide the public with reliable, research-based information on gardening and landscaping. To become an Extension Master Gardener, participants must complete a comprehensive training course that covers essential gardening and horticulture topics. Instruction is delivered by Horticulture Extension Agents, industry professionals, and specialists from the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University.
The program consists of nearly 60 hours of classroom-based training, with topics including:
— Basic botany, entomology, and plant pathology
— Environmentally friendly lawn care practices
— Soil health and its impact on plant growth
— Proper plant care and maintenance
— Fruit, flower, and vegetable gardening
— Composting and organic gardening
— Identifying, planting, and caring for landscape trees and shrubs
— Diagnosing plant issues.
Upon completing the course, participants are required to contribute 40 hours of volunteer service within one year. Past Master Gardener projects have included developing children’s gardens, creating memorial or meditation gardens, establishing vegetable gardens for churches and schools, and beautifying community spaces with trees and flowers.
As part of their commitment, Master Gardener volunteers must complete an application and undergo a background screening in accordance with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Client Protection Policy. Once accepted, participants will be charged a $25 registration fee to help cover material costs.
The first session of the program will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at 5:30 PM and will serve as an introduction and orientation. Registration is required.
For more information or to register, please contact the Laurel County Extension Office at 606-864-4167, email Steve Mobley at steve.mobley@uky.edu or Jasmine Fox at jasmine.fox@uky.edu, or visit laurel.ca.uky.edu/events.
Don’t miss this opportunity to become part of the vibrant Master Gardener community and expand your knowledge of gardening and horticulture!
