Master Gardener Program
Master Gardener Program
Cattaraugus Co. Cooperative Extension to Begin the Next Training Class Feb. 8
Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Cornell Cooperative Extension is accepting applications for their next Master Gardener training class. Instruction begins Wednesday, February 8, 2023 and runs through May 20, 2023. Classes take place conveniently on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:00pm, remotely. There will be one to three in-person classes that will take place monthly for hands-on learning activities.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work in partnership with the Cattaraugus County Cooperative Extension staff to teach and share gardening knowledge countywide. They are “neighbors teaching neighbors” about horticulture using researched-based gardening practices through a variety of educational programs and activities. The Master Gardener Program has an emphasis on environmental stewardship and on food insecurity. One way Master Gardeners contribute to addressing food insecurity locally, is by supporting the National “Seed to Supper” program that helps teach residents how to grow their own vegetable gardens. You get to be a part of some exciting opportunities as a Master Gardener in Cattaraugus County! Some upcoming activities include: Our new pollinator habitat garden program, opportunity to trial vegetable varieties in our community garden, teach horticulture-related workshops, engage with youth in school gardens, meet other garden enthusiasts at the Allegany Garden festival, and access to Cornell webinars and continuing education activities, just to name a few!
If you love gardening and are interested in giving back to your community - in a green-thumb way - please apply to become a Master Gardener today! Successful participants will be expected to commit 50 hours of volunteer service in their first year, and 30 hours of volunteer service annually to remain active Master Gardeners. There is also an annual expectation of 10 hours of continued horticulture education after the first year of volunteering.
Applications are available online (https://cattaraugus.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/master-gardener-volunteer-program), for pick-up in our Ellicottville office or call ahead at 716-699-2377 and we can mail you one. Deadline to submit an application is January 16, 2023. Tuition cost is $125 and includes all training materials. Space is limited!