Introducing our five new Master gardeners

​Five Baxter County residents recently completed Master Gardener new member training through the Baxter County Extension Office. Pictured are (from left): Anita Derrick, Karen Radford, Jo Bracken, Baxter County Extension Agent Brad Runsick, Mary O'Shields and Jami Huisjen Scott.

---

​by Brad Runsick, Baxter County Extension Office Agent

Five Baxter Countians recently completed the rigorous, 40-hour Master Gardener new member training. The training took place at the Baxter County Extension Office over the course of five Wednesdays, where trainees received education on a whole host of topics, ranging from soil science and basic botany to plant disease management and pruning.

Master Gardener members, as part of their membership requirements, volunteer a minimum of 20 hours back to the community each year. However, many members give much more of their time than just 20  hours. In fact, last year alone, 73 members volunteered nearly 4,000 hours, valued at approximately $100,000.

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener but missed this recent training? You may be in luck!

We will be offering the opportunity to become a Master Gardener volunteer with an online class. Beginning January 7th-March 31, 2020, the class will be available online for individuals to train from their home computers.

The training contains five modules. The first module will be available on January 7th. For five consecutive Tuesdays, a new module will be made available, with all modules online by February 4th.

The cost to participate in the online training is $150. This covers the cost of the training, training book, first-year dues and name badge. Stop by the Extension Office at 3 E. 9th Street in Mountain Home for more information and to pick up an application!

The deadline to apply is December 2nd.