Workshop: Home Horticultural Training 2021

ADAMS COUNTY – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, training for gardeners in the Grant-Adams Counties service areas has come to a standstill. The WSU Grant-Adams Master Gardeners have not offered workshops or classes for adults and youth, and plant clinics have not been going on at farmers markets or other venues. And, the annual gardening symposium which has been gaining in popularity since it began 5 years ago, had to be cancelled. These functions have become impossible because of the logistics of physical distancing, social etiquette, and sanitation; and limited travel has made it difficult to come together safely.

To alleviate some of the frustration in not holding training sessions of any kind, Washington State Master Gardeners will be offering an intensive Home Horticultural training program starting in January 2021. The training is being designed for people interested in learning, but not necessarily interested in the volunteer part of the Master Gardener program and will not lead to WSU Master Gardener certification. The training will be done virtually and taught by WSU and staff over 20 Saturdays from January through April. It will also have an online training component. Fortunately, there will be an east side and a west side session. Participants who complete the training will get a certificate of completion.

Registration will open on November 14, 2020, through WSU, and access to the course space will open on December 14, 2020. Cost will be $300 per student. The number of registrants will be capped since space is limited. WSU Zoom meetings will be the program platform for the Saturday classes.

Since some of the training overlaps with instruction provided to become WSU certified Master Gardeners, those who wish to continue with the program can fill out a WSU MG application, proceed with a background check, attend face-to-face instruction and participate in public outreach (with a mentor) to complete the training whenever the County MG program decides to hold Basic Training. Additional promotional details are forthcoming as the dates, topics, syllabus, duration, and training details are established.

To be notified about registration or to receive additional information on this training, contact the WSU Grant-Adams Master Gardeners at the Grant Extension office at 754-2011 extension 2313. Or, leave a message on our online service [email protected] or to ask gardening questions.