Larimer County residents interested in horticulture can apply for classes to become certified as a Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. Those selected will receive approximately 66 hours of college-level horticulture instruction covering topics such as:

Between April and September, new Master Gardeners volunteer 50 hours of time working with Larimer County Extension identifying plant diseases, insects, answering gardening questions and working on other projects such as the Farmers' Market, Larimer County Fair, Home and Garden Shows, writing gardening articles for local and regional newspapers, and presenting programs to community groups.


Training dates and location:
Wednesdays, January 13 through March 31, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thomas M. McKee 4-H, Youth & Community Building
"The Ranch" - Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Larimer County Extension Office
1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins

Class fees:
$175 for those who apply as a Master Gardener Volunteer
$500 for those who wish to take the class as Colorado Gardener Certificate training (no volunteer requirement)

Application Deadline:
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Interviews:
Interviews for those applying to be Master Gardener volunteers will be held November 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12; dates subject to change.


For application information, please contact Alison Stoven at 498-6000 or astoven@larimer.org