Master Gardners Hold Annual Celebration
Mahaska County Master Gardner’s annual celebration. (submitted photo)
Mahaska County Master Gardeners held their annual Celebration of their activities in 2018 on January 8, 2019. A wonderful potluck was enjoyed by many members and their spouses/guests.
They welcomed two of their three new interns who completed initial training this fall. Two members reached the 15-year mark as Master Gardeners. Eight members performed more than 25 hours of volunteer service in 2018, and many reached larger cumulative volunteer service levels.
After completing initial training, members perform 40 hours of volunteer service. To remain an active member, they perform 20 hours of volunteer service and attend 10 hours of continuing education annually.
In 2018, as a group, they performed and recorded over 400 hours of volunteer service and offered 26 hours of horticulture education to Mahaska County. This is in addition to the hosted webinars and webcasts and Master Gardener initial training.
Mahaska County Master Gardeners are celebrating their sixteenth year. The local program organized after the county held their first training. The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides current, research-based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through programs and projects. Master Gardeners receive horticulture training and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service. The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.
More information about this and other horticulture events can be found at the Mahaska County Extension Office; 212 North I Street; Oskaloosa Phone 641-673-5841; and www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/yardgarden.htm.
