No experience needed; training begins January 18 on a remote learning basis.
Update: For information about the 2023 Master Gardener training session contact To Madeline Flahive at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County by phone at 908-654-9854 (ext.4) or by email at mflahive@ucnj.org.
Union County, NJ – Union County gardeners have a chance to sharpen their skills while giving back to the community, by joining the Master Gardeners of Union County. All gardeners at any level of experience are welcome to join this popular volunteer program, from raw beginner to seasoned expert.
“The Master Gardeners program provides Union County residents with new opportunities to build their knowledge and apply their skills to help educate, engage and beautify our community. The Commissioner Board is proud to support this unique volunteer program and we are happy to see it return in 2022,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca Williams.
The Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained and certified by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. They create and run programs for the public including educational workshops and horticulture programs for people with special needs. The centerpiece of the program is the 1.5 acre Union County Demonstration Garden, located adjacent to the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, at 152 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
The 2022 Master Gardener training program begins on Tuesday, January 18 and runs through May. The program consists of weekly classes that cover basic botany, entomology and plant pathology, integrated pest management, vegetable gardening, tree fruit, lawn care and flower gardening among other topics.
Participants who complete the coursework and provide 60 hours of community service earn the title of Certified Master Gardener.
In order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the 2022 training program will begin on a remote learning basis. Conditions permitting, outdoor workshops at the Demonstration Garden may be added in the spring.
To apply for the 2022 training course, visit the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County registration website at http://bttr.im/fem3x. There is a $200 program registration fee, and scholarships are available.
The courses will be presented through Rutgers Canvas, the online learning portal of Rutgers University. Participants can join the live sessions on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon, or view pre-recorded sessions at their convenience.
To learn more about the Master Gardeners program, contact Madeline Flahive at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County by phone at 908-654-9854 (ext.4) or by email at mflahive@ucnj.org.
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. It is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects. For more information about all Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and the 4-H youth development program, visit ucnj.org/rce.
Quick links to all Union County environmental programs are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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