[StBernard] Three St. Bernard Parish are recent graduates of the 2012 LA Master Gardener Program

[Westley Annis]

St Bernard residents, Meg McNutt, Polly Campbell, and Brandy Lopez, recent
graduates of the 2012 Louisiana Master Gardener program, are pictured with
LSU AgCenter county agent, JB Anders. As volunteer participants in the
Master Gardener program these ladies attended at least 80% of scheduled
instruction at City Park, passed an open-book examination and now must
volunteer a minimum of 40 hours of service over the next year to officially
earn the title of Louisiana Master Gardener. Master Gardeners are members of
the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees,
shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and
help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people. For more
information regarding this program call the local Cooperative Extension
office at 504-278-4234. 

(Missing from the photo are graduate, Karen Walls, and local county agent,
Wayne Burgess.)

The Louisiana Master Gardener program provides invaluable training and
educational opportunities. The program is open to all people regardless of
socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion or national origin. Master
Gardener programs are all-volunteer programs sanctioned by land-grant
institutions in each state and function as an extension of the college or
university. In Louisiana, the program is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and
is directed by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

Experienced and beginning gardeners seeking up-to-date horticultural
information can advance their gardening expertise and gain self-satisfaction
through volunteer efforts. The volunteer aspect of the Louisiana Master
Gardener program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to
enhancing the quality of life for citizens of their community by using the
science and art of horticulture. It allows individuals to put into practice
what they know and learn.

 

Any Louisiana resident with an interest in horticulture and a desire to
volunteer for community service may apply to the Master Gardener Training
Program. (Master Gardeners moving from other states must take the Louisiana
training.)

The Louisiana Master Gardener training program provides a balanced,
integrated, practical course in gardening. Special topics, based on
Louisiana gardening needs, are part of the curriculum and involve a balance
of lecture and hands-on activities. The training is conducted over a
two-to-three-month period with instruction provided by LSU AgCenter
Extension faculty and other horticulture experts. 

Primary topics covered in the training include:

o    Soils and Plant Nutrition

o    Basic Botany and Plant Propagation

o    Basic Plant Pathology and Entomology

o    Vegetable Gardening

o    Fruit Culture

o    Woody Ornamentals

o    Annuals and Perennials

o    Lawn Management and Weeds

o    Environmental Horticulture

o    Diagnostics/Problem Solving