Mary Krumbholz, (left), of Cedar Rapids, spins the wheel to determine her category she must answer a question about to win a free calendar from Lisa Klees, who works for Iowa State University's Extension Office, during the Winter Gardening Fair, on the Kirkwood Campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, February, 18, 2012. The Winter Gardening Fair is held annually and brings Master Gardeners to speak on behalf of their gardening knowledge they have acquired through experience as well as training. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

See more below from Linn County Master Gardener, Lisa Slattery:

The Holidays are officially here – the turkey has been served and now holiday preparations are in full swing – but I urge all of you avid gardeners to pause a moment and consider becoming a Linn County Master Gardener.  Linn County Residents are invited to apply NOW to the very first SPRING 2013 Master Gardener Class.  Traditionally the Master Gardener class is only offered in the Fall, but this year there will be two classes.

What is a Master Gardener? Someone who loves gardening and is interested in learning more about gardening, plants, and horticulture. We are members of your community that continue to learn more and share that horticulture knowledge. There are currently 160 active Master Gardeners serving Linn County residents in nearly 30 horticulture based projects including several community programs. We teach, we answer questions, we give research-based advice on all things horticulture.  We sponsor a popular Winter Gardening Fair, offer garden walks, present classes to  the public and run a learning “hands on” greenhouse along with several display gardens.  We also continue to learn about our passion; yard, garden, trees, shrubs, pests, vegetables, perennials, and the list goes on.

I became a Master Gardener in 2007 and the list of things I have learned in the last 5 years is very, very long.  I have had a lot of gardening success in the last five years in my own gardens and have learned lots from fellow Master Gardeners.  For me, becoming a Master Gardener has taught me so much more about my love of gardening. I also volunteer with terrific people and have met many friends – both plants and people! But the most rewarding experience is being able to share what I have learned with others. Gardeners do like to share! It’s a very rewarding program and an honor to say I am a Linn County Master Gardener. I encourage people I meet who love gardening to join us all the time – and now is a great time.

Master Gardeners attend classes taught by Iowa State University Extension staff and specialists. The program offers 40 hours of instruction, covering topics such as lawn care, flower and vegetable gardening, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit crops, houseplants, and more.  Training also covers insects, disease, and weed control; soil and plant nutrition; as well as pesticide safety.

In return, participants are asked to volunteer 40 hours of service back to their local county extension programs by the end of the calendar year following completion of class hours. Some of the MG projects include: educating youth and the community, answering questions on the Hortline, organizing horticulture-related events, and planting demonstration educational garden plots. After the initial 40 hours, a Master Gardener is only required to volunteer 12 hours a year plus 6 educational hours a year to stay certified.

The deadline for applications is December 10th for classes beginning in January. Training is at the Linn County Extension Office January-March. The fee for the classes is $150.00.  If you are interested please contact the Iowa State University Linn County Extension Office at 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, (phone 319-377-9839) or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/page/become-linn-county-master-gardener or email mkenyonb@iastate.edu to receive an application or for more information.

Applicants to the Linn County program must be residents of Linn County. I encourage all interested to apply, it is a rewarding program.