July 7, Dear Prospective Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners,

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1 July 7, 2016 Dear Prospective Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners, Your expressed interest in the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener (SCEMG) program is appreciated. We have a great organization with many active participants and look forward each year to adding to our group. Here are a few things to know and do: 1. Complete the Master Gardener application (enclosed, picked up at the Extension office or found online at 2. Return completed application by mail or in person to the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 SW Western Ave., Topeka, KS 66604, or to cjdehart@ksu.edu or FAX to (785) , by August 12, 2016 at 5:00 PM. 3. Attend a required pre-acceptance orientation meeting on either August 23 rd at 9-11:00 am in the upstairs meeting room or on August 23 rd at 6:00-8:00 pm at the Extension office conference room downstairs (through the regular office doors). Please indicate on the 'Commitment' page which meeting you will be attending. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings you must call Connie at (785) ext. 109 to make other arrangements. 4. Applying does not mean acceptance. Your interest and availability play a big part. Skill and knowledge are secondary. Please fill out application thoroughly. 5. SCEMG required trainings begin Thursday, September 8 th and continue on each Thursday through November 3 rd. There will be no class October 27 th. Class times are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. 6. A graduation ceremony will be held on November 3 rd! 7. All trainings will be held at the Shawnee County Extension office in the upstairs meeting room. 8. Trainings will be given by Kansas State University Research and Extension Specialists, County Extension Agents, and recognized horticultural leaders in the community. 9. The class fee is $ and is due the first day of training. This fee includes a Training Manual, a Master Gardener polo shirt, name tag and other training expenses. Connie DeHart is the Master Gardener Coordinator and oversees the Extension Master Gardener program. Please feel free to contact her with questions you may have. Her number is (785) ext Her address is cjdehart@ksu.edu. I look forward to meeting you! Sincerely, Jamie C. Kidd Horticulture Extension Agent for Shawnee County

2 K-State Research and Extension - Shawnee County Master Gardener Program Application Name Address City/Zip Cell Phone Home Phone Best Time To Contact You Cell phone MISSION Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener (SCEMG) volunteers are representatives of Kansas State University trained to communicate research-based educational information that helps people improve their home environment and quality of life through horticultural pursuits. PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES Have a high school diploma or equivalent and possess a broad interest in horticulture. Support the objectives of the Extension Master Gardener Program and the educational programs of the Shawnee County Extension Council. Be able to read and comprehend an extensive notebook of support materials to be used for future reference. Complete the basic Extension Master Gardener Training Course - Daytime training on eight Thursdays beginning in September. Complete 40 hours of volunteer work with Advisory Board approved projects during the calendar year following training. Within that requirement, 21 hours of volunteer work are required on the Response Line. Obtain 6 units of Advanced Master Gardener training, attend 4 SCEMG business meetings, and participate in 1 SCEMG Public Event. Be willing to communicate research-based information from KSU, even if it includes the use of pesticides. Continuation of an Extension Master Gardener in good standing requires obtaining 6 units of Advanced Master Gardener training, attending 4 SCEMG business meetings, participating in 1 SCEMG public event, and completing 25 hours of SCEMG volunteer time annually. How did you hear about the Extension Master Gardener program? Are you acquainted with any active Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners? Yes (Name) No

3 TIME AVAILABILITY Employed Full Time: Employed Part Time: Retired/Not Employed: Will your employment or other regular commitments allow you to be available to participate in the Basic SCEMG Training Course and in required volunteer hours? Most SCEMG volunteer activities occur during the day with only a few weekend opportunities. Please describe your availability to volunteer in SCEMG activities within these time parameters. EXPERIENCE Please list any training, courses, or class experience you have had on gardening and/or environmental issues. Check area(s) of specialization or experience: Annuals House Plants Public Speaking (small groups) Art or Drawing Landscaping Starting Seeds Beekeeping Lawn Care Trees and Shrubs Composting Native Plants Vegetables Computers/Web Design Ornamental Grasses Water Gardening Floral Arranging Perennials Working Hands-On With Kids Fruit Photography Writing Herbs Power Point Skills Other (please explain) List any environmental or garden group affiliation(s). Share other volunteer activities.

4 AREAS OF INTEREST Please indicate the level of your interest in participating in each of the Extension Master Gardener volunteer projects listed below by entering an A, B or C in the spaces provided. Some activities require physical work or interacting with the public, while others concentrate on planning and administrative tasks. All activities are vital to the success of the Extension Master Gardener organization in fulfilling its mission to the community. A= very interested B= interested C= least interested Demonstration Gardens Native Plant Garden at the entrance to Cedar Crest, the Governor s residence, North of 6 th on Fairlawn Road, is already designated as a Monarch butterfly station. Cedar Crest Perennial Garden is also at the Governor s residence, North of 6 th on Fairlawn Road. Demonstration Vegetable Garden is at the South end of the Expocentre, near the locomotive. Prairie Star/Prairie Bloom Garden is at the entrance to the Extension Office at 1740 SW Western Ave. Xeriscape Garden is on the other side of the Extension Office entrance. It has a combination of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and butterfly garden that use limited water after plants are established. Woodland Garden is at Lake Shawnee near the Garden House. This area is a shade garden and transitions to a sun garden. It features plants known to grow well in the Topeka area and some plants being tried in the area. Community Outreach Children s Activities: Plan and participate in after school programs or summer and special community events which encourage children s interest in gardening. Speaker s Bureau: Research, prepare and present talks on a variety of horticultural subjects to garden clubs, church and community groups. Community Outreach: Staff information tables at community events where the public can learn more about the Extension Master Gardener program and ask gardening questions.

5 Garden Show: Assist with planning, constructing and staffing the Extension Master Gardener booth at the Kansas Garden Show. Green Team: Address the growing interest in green and sustainable gardening by providing information for Extension Master Gardener programs and educational materials. Extension Master Gardener Program Support Services Greenhouse: Grow plants from seed and staff annual plant sale. Social Entertainment: Plan and staff banquets, picnics and other social events. Training and Tours: Plan and oversee horticulture education events. Plan, arrange and promote programs, tours and seminars to satisfy needs of Extension Master Gardeners for continuing education. Record and Archive Extension Master Gardener Activities: Membership: Mentoring, organizing Mentor/Mentee Brunch, corresponding with members in need. Newsletter: Gather information and help prepare a monthly publication. Website: Maintenance and updating. Community Vegetable Garden: Farmer s Market: Information booth. AREAS OF GREATEST INTEREST You have indicated your general level of interest in all the Extension Master Gardener projects. Please select three from the previous list of activities that are the most appealing to you and explain why. WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE AN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER? Discuss your reasons for wanting to join the Extension Master Gardener program.

6 COMMITMENT Thank you for your interest in the Extension Master Gardener program and for completing this application. It will be carefully considered by members of the Advisory Board. Extension Master Gardeners operate under the guidance of trained Extension professionals responsible for monitoring their performance and the progress of their continuing education. Extension Master Gardeners are expected to provide gardening advice based on research-based information, and to provide educational program assistance in support of the general county Extension education program. Extension Master Gardener volunteers may not participate in the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener program for financial gain or for commercial credentials, recommendations or endorsements. I wish to become a Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener Trainee and agree to abide by the qualifications for acceptance and continued commitment including 40 hours of volunteer time in the first year and other commitments as described in the Participation Guidelines for the Extension Master Gardener Program. I understand there is a participation fee of $ due the first day of class to cover class materials and expenses. Name: Address: City, Zip Code: County You Reside In: Telephone Number (Home): (Print or type) Please indicate which pre-acceptance orientation session you will be attending: August 23, :00 AM to 11:00 AM Extension Meeting Room upstairs August 23, :00 PM to 8:00 PM Conference Room downstairs Telephone Number (Cell/Business): Note: Write this date on your calendar. Note: The majority of Extension Master Gardener communication occurs by . Sign: Date: Mail to: Shawnee County K-State Research and Extension 1740 SW Western Avenue Topeka, Kansas Attention: Connie DeHart to: cjdehart@ksu.edu Fax: K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Rev. 06/16