by Mary Ann Ryan

The Master Gardener program began in Adams County in 1990, with two Master Gardeners supporting the program. It is now 62 people strong. As a Penn State Master Gardener, volunteers commit their time and knowledge to assist Penn State Cooperative Extension in educating groups as well as individuals on proper horticultural practices. They have been trained to share their gardening knowledge with county residents under the direction of Penn State Cooperative Extension.

The Master Gardeners of Adams County are involved in many programs and projects. The back-to-back Landscape Design and Green Thumb Series both begin in March. Topics, including Landscape Design, Native Plants, Invasive Plants, Vines, Perennials, and Annuals, will be covered. For additional information, please contact Mary Ann Ryan, Penn State Cooperative Extension, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA at 334-6271 ext 319 or e-mail at mar35@psu.edu.

Throughout the spring and summer, the Master Gardeners work on two garden demonstration projects, the trial gardens and the native planting, at the Agricultural and Natural Resource Center. Both projects run from May through September. In our trial gardens, Penn State provides select annuals and perennials to evaluate on a bi-weekly basis. A state-wide project, it evaluates new varieties to see how they perform in our area and throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, Master Gardeners select crops of interest to Adams County residents that are trialed as well. We record the plants’ performance throughout the summer. The native planting is a tool used to educate about integrating natives into today’s home gardens. Garden walks are offered throughout the summer for interested gardeners. Watch the newspaper for the Spring/Summer schedule.

Master Gardeners reach out to children to teach them about horticulture through demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on presentations. After school programs and Garden Day Camp are just two activities used to educate children about today’s environmental issues.

Compost workshops are offered beginning in April. Through a grant from Penn State and DEP(Department of Environmental Protection), a free compost bin is given to each participant along with extensive information about how to compost. Call the Penn State Extension office for dates and times at 334-6271.

In June, there is a Family Fest at the Agricultural and Natural Resource Center. Master Gardeners conduct hands-on workshops about propagating and container gardening. Watch the newspaper for further information.

The Rites of Fall and the Fall Craft Series are presented in the fall as well as the Myers Arboretum Tour. Garden lectures are available all during the year to groups interested in garden related topics. Please feel free to contact Mary Ann Ryan at 334-6271 ext. 319 or e-mail at mar35@psu.edu for an updated list of speakers’ topics.

Master Gardeners are available at the extension office to answer gardening questions on Mondays and Fridays beginning in March. With a gardening related question, call 334-6271, and your call will be directed to a Master Gardener.

As you can see, the Penn State Master Gardeners of Adams County are a very active group offering many educational opportunities for the home gardener. To become a Penn State Master Gardener, one must complete a 13-week course that covers information on botany, plant propagation, insects and diseases, plant identification, diagnostics, and much more. Upon completion of this course, the Master Gardener trainee must dedicate 50 hours of volunteer time to the Master Gardener program throughout the following year. To maintain Master Gardener status after the first year, 20 hours of volunteer time and 8 hours of advanced education are required each year.

There is great pride and community service involved in becoming a Master Gardener. Penn State will once again offer the Master Gardener course this fall. It will be held in Carlisle, Cumberland County, beginning Thursday, September 8, 2005. Classes will be every Thursday from 9 am to 12 noon. If you are interested in becoming a Penn State Master Gardener, please call Mary Ann Ryan at 334-6271 ext. 319 or e-mail at mar35@psu.edu for more information. An application and policy statement will be sent to you. Interviews will be set up for sometime in June or July.

Mary Ann Ryan is the Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator serving Adams County. Penn State in Adams County is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325; phone 334-6271.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce

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