We are members of the local community who are willing to learn and help others and are able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. Our mission is to be an educational, nonprofit, volunteer and service corporation which renders non-biased, sound horticultural information to the community. Master Gardeners work in partnership with the Texas AgriLife Extension and are the service arm of Extension Horticulture. Our objectives are accomplished through the volunteer efforts of Travis County Master Gardeners Association members.
Is the Master Gardeners Program for me? To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants?
- Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?
- Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
- Do I have enough time to attend training and to complete the volunteer service?
If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.
If accepted into the Master Gardener program in your county, you will attend a Master Gardener training course and pay the tuition. Classes are taught by Texas A & M AgriLife Extension specialists, staff, and local experts. The program offers a minimum of 50 hours of instruction that covers topics including lawn care; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers and water conservation.
2008 Master Gardener Training Class
Dates: Tuesday, August 12th through Tuesday, November 11th
Time: 1 - 4:30 pm
Where: Zilker Botanical Garden Center Conference Room
Cost: $225 + $10 background check fee
Applications are available by attending one (1) of the following
information sessions (at the Extension Office) and completing a short
personal interview at the information session:
- Tuesday, May 6 at 12 pm
- Tuesday, June 3 at 12 pm
- Tuesday, June 17 at 12 pm
- Tuesday, June 24 at 5:30 pm
Application Deadline: June 30, 2008.
Acceptance Notification: Mid July 2008.
Fall 2008 Master Gardener Training Course
| Date |
Class |
Speaker |
Time |
| Aug 12 |
Introduction |
Skip Richter & MG Class Team |
1 - 2 pm |
| |
Entomology |
Wizzie Brown |
2 - 4:30 pm |
| Aug 19 |
Botany |
Dr. Jerry Brand |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Aug 26 |
Soils |
Dr. Mark McFarland |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Sept 2 |
Vegetables |
Tom LeRoy |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Sept 9 |
Plant Pathology |
Dr. Mark Black |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Sept 16 |
Urban Tree Care |
Eric Copeland |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Sept 23 |
Turf |
David Chalmers |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Sept 30 |
Soil Building/Organic Gardening |
Skip Richter |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Oct 7 |
Master Gardener Q&A
Pesticide Use & Safety |
Susan Decker
Don Renchie |
1 - 2 pm
2 -
4:30 pm |
| Oct 14 |
Fruits & Nuts |
Jim Kamas |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Oct 21 |
Rainwater Harvesting
Perennials & Roses |
Dick Peterson
Dr. Bill Welch |
1 - 2 pm
2 -
4:30 pm
|
| Oct 28 |
Plant Propagation |
TCMG Plant Propagation Specialists |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Nov 4 |
Woody Ornamentals |
Skip Richter |
1 - 4:30 pm |
| Nov 11 |
Xeriscape & State MG Program
|
Skip Richter |
1 - 4 p.m. |
| |
Overview & Evaluation |
Skip Richter & MG Class Team |
4 - 4:30 pm |
|
