Master Gardeners
Welcome to the Wood County Master Gardener Association!
The Wood County Master Gardener Association is an energetic group of people deticated to their communities, excited to gain and share knowledge with the public, and enjoy gardening of course. We have 142 members and over 30 projects from Rome, WI north to Marshfield, WI and everywhere in between. We also have 2 plant sales every spring, one in Wisconsin Rapids and one in Marshfield. These sales and the annual July garden walk are the main fund raisers, but also have a fall bulb sale and worm casting sale as well. All of the money raised goes directly back into the Association to fund projects, provide university scholarships, and present educational programs for the general public.
2012 WCMGA Board
- President: Barb Herreid
- Vice President: Dan Ashbeck
- Secretary: Nancy Baldwin
- Treasurer: Barbara Moes-Kleifgen
- Directors: Mary Zahn, Sally Winkles, Julie Carlsen, Ruth Cline
- Historian: Christine Griffith
- Immediate Past Pres: Michaeleen Erickson
- Communications Rep: Chris Grimes
- WIMGA Rep: Joan Korger
UW-Extension Contacts
- MG Advisor and Horticulture Educator: Teri Lessig
- Wood County Agriculture Agent: Matt Lippert
- Wood County office support staff contact: Mary Spencer
The Wood County Master Gardener Association meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from March through November. Meeting locations vary throughout the county. Each meeting begins with a business meeting, followed by an educational topic. Our meetings are open to the public. Check the Upcoming Events page for meeting times and locations.
Certification:
To become a Certified Master Gardener, you must attend a general training session and volunteer 24 hours of service. To remain certified, you must volunteer 24 hours and receive 10 hours of continuing education each year.
Training sessions:
There are two types of Master Gardener programs in Wood County:
- General Training – consists of 36 hours of class, covering all aspects of horticulture. This training session is conducted by UW-Extension and classes are taught by a variety of instructors from UWEX and local experts. This class is offered every year, alternating between locations in northern Wood County and southern Wood County. Check the Upcoming Events page for information about the next class. Fee for the class includes all materials.
- Specialized Training – This training is open to Certified Master Gardener Volunteers and specializes in one of three topics: Flowers and Houseplants, Fruits and Vegetables, or Landscaping. These training sessions are on a three year rotation and occur in the fall. Each session offers 36 hours of training, broadcast locally, taught by specialists in Madison. Fee for the class includes all materials.
- Regional, statewide, and national conferences provide additional learning opportunities.
Volunteer Service:
In exchange for the training, you are asked to volunteer some time to extend your horticulture knowledge into the community. 24 hours of volunteer service is required to achieve Certification. There are many opportunities to fulfill this requirement. A few examples include:
- working on Authorized Master Gardener Projects
- youth education through 4-H, Scouts, or schools
- community gardens
- plant clinics
- assisting in the extension office
- volunteering at the fair
- answering public horticulture questions
- workshops and demonstrations
- association administration and committees
- plant sales
- garden walk
For questions or more information, contact Teri Lessig at the Wood County Extension office or any of the Wood County Master Gardener board members.
Wisconsin Master Gardener Association
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