To find out more about these and other opportunities for learning associated with
the Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program click on any of the
topics below:

Get an idea of what you'll do as a Master Gardener - Master Gardener Projects
Check out available publications - Master Gardener Publications
View pictures of Master Gardeners at work - Pictures
Connect to other Gardening Websites - Links Gardening Sites
Read the latest about the Union County Program - Master Gardener News


Request more information
by email.
If you would like to become a Master Gardener,
write, call, or email:

Union County Extension Office
Master Gardener Program
10507 N. McAlister Road Room 9
La Grande, OR 97850

(541) 963-1010

Union County Master Gardener Program
2002 - Class Schedule
(as of January 10, 2002)
Classes start at 6:00 PM
If you would like to become a Master Gardener,
write, call, or email:

Union County Extension Office
Master Gardener Program
10507 N. McAlister Road Room 9
La Grande, OR 97850

(541) 963-1010

Thank you for your interest in the Union County Master Gardener Program for 2002. Over the last several years there have been almost 200 people from Union and Wallowa counties who have taken the Master Gardener program classes. Last year was a full class and we have had numerous inquiries for the 2002 classes.  Room size limits the class size so early sign up and tuition payment is the only way to guarantee a seat in next year's program.
This year there will be 10 or 11 Master Gardener classes.  The classes will be held on Tuesday of each week beginning on January 15, 2002 at 4:00 PM. Classes will last approximately 4 hours plus break times and should have everyone leaving for home no later than 8:30 PM.  Informational hand outs on the topics covered will be distributed during each class period.
Classes are held in the conference room in the Ag Service Center, 10507 N. McAlister Road, Island City. The Ag Service Center is located across from Bronson's Lumber Company.  You should bring a notepad, pen or pencil, and a three-ring binder for the New Master Gardener Handbook and the class handouts.   The handbook has cover inserts for presentation ring binders and will require at least a 2 ½ inch capacity binder.
Since the classes will go through the dinner hour, you're encouraged to bring something to eat.  There's a pop machine in the building and hot water will be available for tea or instant coffee. You're also welcome to use the microwave in the conference room and bring a thermos of coffee or make your own in class.
Each new Master Gardener taking the forty-plus hours of training will be required to return the same number of hours of volunteer time to the community during the remainder of the year.  Upon completion of the classes, you are considered a Master Gardener Intern.  You will receive certification as a Master
Gardener upon completion of the volunteer commitment.  Previously certified Master Gardeners will be required to complete 20 hours of volunteer time during the year in order to maintain their Master Gardener status.
A percentage of the required volunteer time (15 to 20 hours for interns and 10 hours for returning Master Gardener) will be satisfied by answering question from the public either at the Extension Office or during plant clinics.  The remaining volunteer commitment can take the form of working on projects with local schools and agencies, giving talks to area garden clubs or schools, or completing a project of your own design.  Various ideas for completing your hours will be presented throughout the upcoming classes.
The fee for the Master Gardener course is $125.00 (just over $10.00 per class) for new Master Gardeners living in Union County and $150.00 for out-of-county residents.  After completion of the total volunteer commitment, all new Master Gardeners will receive a $50 rebate.  This leaves a final cost of $75.00 and $100.00 for in-county and out-of-county trainees respectively.  Veteran Master Gardeners who have fulfilled their volunteer time for 2001 can take the classes again for $15.00 plus the cost of the new Master Gardener Handbook if you need it. Master Gardeners who have not completed their volunteer time last year can take the classes again for $75.00 plus the cost of the new Master Gardener Handbook and receive the $50.00 rebate when the full volunteer commitment is completed.
To register, submit payment to the Union County Extension Office as soon as you can as space is limited.  Checks should be made payable to the Union County Extension Service.
The course fee entitles a new Master Gardener forty-plus hours of horticulture training, the new updated version of the Master Gardener Handbook, a Master Gardener Badge, up-to-date handouts on gardening problems from OSU specialists, access to Extension Office horticulture reference materials, and an opportunity to network with other gardeners. After you have paid back your volunteer time, you will also receive the official Master Gardener Certificate of Completion.

Master Gardener Program
Curriculum
This is the content of the letter sent to persons interested in the Union County Master Gardener Program for the year 2002. It describes the program for the coming year and the class schedule.
2002 Master Gardener Classes
"The tomato was known
as both a fruit and
vegetable until 1893
when the Supreme Court
ruled that it was a
vegetable."
The instructors for each class are local community or university experts. 

*In addition to the regular classes there will be extra classes or workshops scheduled.  They will be held on Saturdays as indicated and times will be announced in class.
**This class is part of the regular curriculum and has been scheduled on Saturday to accomodate our instructors.
Class
Topic/Instructor

Introduction  -  Katie Long
Basics of Botany  -  Karen Antell

Soil Management and Composting  -  Gary Kiemnec

Vegetable Gardening & Companion Gardening -
            Katie Long
Vegetable Varieties for Union County - Donna Lewis

Backyard Conservation  -  Denise Leidy
Garden Design - Lori McKay
Perennials - Marge Addleman
Intro to MG Program, Admin. and Reporting

Trees and Shrubs  -  Brian Kelly

Entomology - Janice Cowan

Tree Fruits  -  Tom Darnell

Pruning Workshop  -  Doc Savage

Weed Identification and Control

Hydroponic Gardening -

Xeriscaping - Amy Jo Waldo
Native Plants - Lita Aldrich
Dahlias - Laurie Dart

Pesticides and Pest Control  - 
Receive Class Exam

Plant Probem Diagnosis  -  Phil Hamm
Review Class Exam
Date

JAN 15


JAN 25

JAN 29



FEB 5




FEB 9

FEB 12

FEB 26

MAR 2

MAR 5

MAR 12

MAR 23**



MAR 22


MAR 26
#1


#2

#3



#4




*

#5

#6

*

#7

#8

#9



#10


#11
Request more information
by email.


To find out more about these and other opportunities for learning associated with
the Union County Extension Office Master Gardener Program click on any of the
topics below:

Get an idea of what you'll do as a Master Gardener - Master Gardener Projects
Check out available publications - Master Gardener Publications
View pictures of Master Gardeners at work - Pictures
Connect to other Gardening Websites - Links Gardening Sites
Read the latest about the Union County Program - Master Gardener News