AgCenter has advanced Master Gardener program

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Master Gardeners will have an opportunity to increase their knowledge and expand their service through a new advanced program offered by the LSU AgCenter.
The two-year program will require participants to obtain a private pesticide applicator license and complete five core classes and two interest-area classes as well as pass an exam demonstrating mastery of horticulture concepts, said Miles Brashier, Louisiana Master Gardener state coordinator.
Widespread interest among Master Gardeners to expand their expertise and continue learning about horticultural subjects led to the development of the program, he said. Already, more than 100 people have taken and passed the private pesticide applicator test in anticipation of enrolling in the advanced program.
Each course will be presented live to a group in a classroom and video streamed for convenient access on the Internet, Brashier said. Each class will include an online test that the participants must pass.
“By making the classes available online, we’re able to reach all the Master Gardeners in Louisiana without their having to travel to attend,” he said. “This allows our local coordinators to focus on the basic Master Gardener program.”
The first core course will be presented in May and will be available through June.
Applications will be available online on Feb. 1 with a deadline of April 1. A course fee of $100 will be required plus expenses associated with obtaining the private pesticide applicator license.
Each subsequent course will be presented and available for two months. Participants must complete each course during the two-month period when it’s offered, Brashier said.
Core course subjects will include nutrient management, plant diagnostics, integrated pest management, water quality and communication. “We want to help our Master Gardeners become environmental stewards,” Brashier said.
After finishing the five core classes in February 2016, participants will be required to complete two interest-area classes that range from plant propagation to plant diseases to various management topics.
Final requirements include delivering two presentations to the public and completing 20 hours of volunteer work as a Master Gardener.
In order to become a Master Gardener, an individual must complete a 50-hour training program and in the first year volunteer 40 hours. In succeeding years they must give 20 hours of service per year and complete six continuing education hours.