If you’ve been following this column the past few years, you will know that I’m a Master Gardener Volunteer through the University of Minnesota Extension. It’s a wonderful program and I love learning, advising, and connecting with neighbors and gardeners across the state! As winter approaches, I thought I would depart from the usual yard and garden content and tell you about some Extension programs you might enjoy as the snow falls this winter. Whether you’re interested in plants, wildlife, beekeeping, forests, or other topics, there’s an Extension program for you!
The Master Gardener Volunteer program is the largest Extension program, with over 3,000 participants across the state. To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, you apply for the program, go through an interview and background check, and then take a series of online classes on horticulture-related topics. Classes cover botany, soils, composting, integrated pest management, plant pathology, lawns, houseplants, wildlife, and much more. The training portion of the program takes 40-60 hours over approximately four months. In addition to classes, there are optional live Q&A sessions with experts each week. You are also matched with experienced Master Gardener Volunteers who will help mentor you through the process.
After the training is complete, there are annual requirements for continuing education and volunteering to maintain your certification. This is a great way to learn about horticulture while meeting like-minded gardeners and volunteering in our community! The application period for the 2025 cohort has closed, but you can email hcmg@umn.edu to be notified when next year’s applications open in August 2025.
If you’re interested in the Master Gardener classes but are not sure about the ongoing time commitment, ProHort might be right for you! This program allows you to access the same classes and instruction as Master Gardener Volunteers, without the commitment of volunteering or continuing education. The classes are online and self-paced, and you can work on them throughout the year. You will also have access to expert staff to ask questions about the material. These classes are often attended by horticulture industry professionals, but all members of the public are welcome. You can register anytime before classes start on Jan. 14, 2025. This is a great way to build your knowledge about horticulture topics.
Interested in conservation and the natural environment? You might enjoy the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program! To become a Master Naturalist Volunteer, you complete about 40 hours of in-person training, including lectures, hands-on activities, and field trips that focus on one of Minnesota’s major biomes. After completing the course, there are annual requirements for volunteer service and advanced training hours to maintain certification. There are a few sessions currently available in early 2025 (including one taking place fairly close to home in Excelsior). Master Naturalist Volunteers can participate in many interesting projects, including invasive species removal, habitat restoration, giving public presentations, gathering data for research projects, and more.
Thinking about adding bees to your yard next spring? Extension offers a course called “Beekeeping in Northern Climates,” which can teach you everything you need to know. The course covers honey bee biology, management, wintering of colonies, and managing diseases and pests, among other topics. It’s a self-paced online course with over 14 hours of instruction, and optional live monthly Q&A sessions. The course begins Jan. 20, 2024.
There are so many other courses, classes, and events taking place year-round through the University of Minnesota Extension, many of which are free and open to the public. In addition to programs on horticulture and wildlife, you can find classes and events relating to leadership, parenting, finances, nutrition, and more. Check out https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events for the whole list!
For more information, check out the University of Minnesota Extension Yard and Garden website. Extension resources are written by experts and contain the latest and most reliable research-based information. Happy gardening!
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