Flowering containers and landscaping at Lee Park, the Butterfly Garden at the Columbus Riverwalk, the herb garden at The W’s Culinary Arts Institute — these and other projects around the county are the work of Lowndes County Master Gardeners. The educational exchange program that brings volunteers with a common interest together also presents an annual plant sale every April and horticultural programs during the year. All those interested in becoming a Master Gardener are invited to sign up for training that begins Feb. 25 and runs through March 31. Sessions will take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1-5 p.m. at the Lowndes County Extension Office located at 485 Tom Rose Road.
“We are growing by leaps and bounds each year with members, projects and events, but we would like to have more members to further the cause,” said Lowndes County Agricultural/Natural Resources Extension Agent Reid Nevins. The volunteer program is a great way to gain horticultural experience at a low cost, meet other avid gardeners, share gardening experiences and get connected to the community, he added.
Through the Mississippi Master Gardening program offered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, individuals are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas. In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer their time to help the Lowndes Extension Office with horticulture projects that benefit the local community. Master Gardeners help extend the educational arm of MSU to the public by providing horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.
Interactive video training session topics range from soils, urban tree care and entomology to ornamentals, vegetables, fruits and nuts, turfgrass and propagation.
To maintain certification in the Master Gardener program individuals must attend 12 hours of advanced training and also volunteer 20 hours of service to the county Extension program annually. Lowndes County Master Gardeners volunteer an average of 40-plus hours per year.
How to sign up
To participate, a one-time fee of $100 is required, which funds the training program, materials, CD and meeting refreshments. Checks should be made payable to the Lowndes County Master Gardener Volunteers. Half of that fee is refundable should circumstances prevent a participant from attending after registration, if claimed the first week of class.
Register by contacting the Lowndes County Extension Office at 662-328-2111, or emailing Nevins at [email protected].
Individuals requiring special accommodations to participate should contact the Extension office to make their request known in a timely manner prior to the program to ensure appropriate accommodations.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.