September 2, 2008 Dear Master Gardener Candidate: Thank you for your interest in the St. Louis Master Gardener Program. The mission of this program is to provide research-based horticultural information to the public for community service and gardening pleasure. Each year, a training program is offered to individuals who express interest in learning and volunteering their time as Master Gardeners. Since volunteerism is a large part of this program, candidates must be willing and able to make a commitment. Active MGs contribute 50 or more hours each year. Enclosed is information on the program and an application. Applicants need to complete the General Application and read the job descriptions for all Trainee Volunteer Opportunities. You will be asked to make a selection of where you would like to spend your first 50 hours of volunteer service. Select from the volunteer job descriptions your first, second and third choice in order of preference. Applications are due by Friday, October 3rd. Twenty-seven candidates will be accepted into training which will be held on Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 4 p.m., January 3rd through May 7th. Attendance at all sessions is required. Should you be accepted, a training fee of $300 is due by Friday, December 3rd. Since traditionally we have more applicants than available openings, Candidates will be invited for a 30-minute interview that takes place in the first two weeks of November. Final selections and notification are made prior to Thanksgiving. Your commitment to the training program needs to be made by December 3rd. We look forward to receiving your application. Any questions about the program or the application process can be directed to me at 314-577-9442 or leigh.butler@mobot.org Sincerely Leigh Butler Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator cc. Steven D Cline, PhD. Master Gardener Coordinator Manager, Center for Home Gardening The St. Louis Master Gardener Program is a University of Missouri Extension program in collaboration with Missouri Botanical Garden
Please complete and return by Friday, October 3, 2008 Master Gardener Application 2009 To: Kemper Center for Home Gardening P.O. Box 299 Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MO 63166 Name: Address: City/State: Zip Code: Home Phone: Work Phone: Email Address: I wish to apply to become a St. Louis Master Gardener and Volunteer. I understand that if accepted into training, I will complete this training and volunteer a minimum of 50 hours in Master Gardener activities by December 31 st, 2009. I will then become a Certified Master Gardener. Signed: Which volunteer program are you applying for? (Read all job descriptions, then check only one category) Missouri Botanical Garden Outdoor Gardener Gateway Greening Volunteer Tower Grove Park Volunteer Flora Conservancy Volunteer Litzinger Road Ecology Center Forest ReLeaf/CommuniTree Gardens Volunteer When would you be available to volunteer on a regular basis in January 2009? (Check all that apply) The St. Louis Master Gardener Program is a collaborative program between the Missouri Botanical Garden and University of Missouri Extension
Weekday days (circle which days) Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Weekday evenings Weekends (circle which days) Sat. Sun. Are you presently employed? Yes No If yes, full time part time Does this employment involve working professionally with plants or landscapes? Please explain. Can you attend a 18-week training program to be held on Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., January 8th, to May 7th, 2009? Yes No If yes, but need to miss a class, then explain the circumstances. List any gardening groups, plant societies or conservation groups with which you are currently or have been affiliated. Please list any present or previous volunteer involvements and length of service. Please write a short paragraph explaining why you want to become a Master Gardener.
ate * Thursday 12:30-4:00 We ek Master Gardener Certification Training Schedule 2009 Subject Lecturer Subject Test Genera Quiz Tour/Field T 11:00-12:00 A Thursday December 3 Introduction MG Class Orientation Training Team Wed 9-1pm January 8 1 Botany Basics Plant Relationships Glenn Kopp Plant Names & Anatomy I January 15 2 Botany Basics Plant Anatomy II Glenn Kopp Trees I January 22 3 Botany Basics Plant Growth and Steve Cline Trees II Development January 29 4 Botany Basics Plant Propagation Lisa Prasad Plant Growth and Trees III Greenhouses Development February 5 5 Soils Soil Properties & Steve Cline Plant Propagation Conifers Amendments February 12 6 Plant Groups Woody Ornamentals Chris Starbuck Soil Properties & Shrubs I Amendments February 19 7 Plant Maintenance Pruning Ben Chu Woody Shrubs II Climatron Ornamentals February 26 8 Plant Groups Lawns & Chemical Safety G. Kraemer Pruning Houseplants March 5 9 Plant Groups Perennials June Hutson Lawns & Chemical Vines Safety March 12 10 Plant Groups Annuals June Hutson Perennials Weeds March 19 11 Plant Health Care Disease/IPM Steve Cline Diseases / IPM Perennials I General Gar March 26 12 Plant Health Care Insects / IPM Mary Kroening Annuals Perennials II Japanese Ga April 2 13 Plant Groups Vegetables & Composting Chip Tynan Insects / IPM Perennials III Kemper Cen April 9 14 Plant Groups Bulbs Jason Delany Vegetables & Annuals I Bulbs Composting April 16 15 Plant Groups Natives Scott Bulbs Annuals II Woodbury April 23 16 Landscape Design Basic Landscape Design Terry Milne Natives Bulbs April 30 17 Landscape Design/ Final Handed Out Basic Landscape Design Ornamental Grass Landscape Projects May 7 18 Celebration Final Exam Due Terry Milne (Revised 6-19-2008) * Check the MG Website at WWW.stlmg.com for weather related class cancellations.
Master Gardener Trainee Volunteer Job Description 2009 Missouri Botanical Garden Outdoor Gardener You too could be one of the people seen actually working on the grounds of the Missouri Botanical garden! This volunteer opportunity allows you to work with the MBG staff in the maintenance and care of outdoor gardens. Volunteers learn to identify plants and about specific care and maintenance for the outdoor displays. Additional training is provided in an outdoors hands-on environment. Hours may vary; shifts are for three hours per week. Gateway Greening Volunteer Do you love playing in the dirt? Does judging urban garden contests sound like fun to you? Then consider volunteering with Gateway Greening where you can join the team as a long-term volunteer or a supplemental short-term helper during events such as the Great Perennial Divide held each spring. Volunteers will perform a variety of tasks including working with community and school gardens within the city limits. They will also provide demonstrations on vegetable gardens assist with garden installations or maintain gardens and answer questions for the public at the Bell Garden. The Great Perennial Divide can provide opportunities to fill your hours in just a couple weeks time. Learn about dividing perennials, repotting, labeling and caring for thousands of dominated plants; help greet donors at collection sites, or join dig crews traveling to the finest area gardens tended by gardeners. The divide also has a plant sale where you can help sell fabulous cultivars donated by local suppliers. Other opportunities may include assisting with classroom demonstrations on composting and grow lab projects. Hours and days of the week will vary. Tower Grove Park Volunteer Tower Grove Park, a National Historical Landmark founded and donated to St. Louis by Henry Shaw is opening its doors to volunteers who are seeking variety to the horticultural work they do. Volunteers are needed to assist with the landscape maintenance of the park s prominent entrance, Piper House lily ponds, historical planted areas, and the many large containers which are located throughout the park. This yearround opportunity will further allow you to spend the winter months inside the temperature controlled greenhouse as you assist with plant propagation and plan the upcoming spring plantings. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to blend your horticultural talents with one of St. Louis souvenir parks with old world charm. Forest Park Forever Volunteer Want to be part of the WOW factor that attracts so many visitors to Forest Park? Then take advantage of this unique volunteer opportunity that will allow you to work directly with the staff of Forest Park Forever. Typical activities will include installing new plantings, bed preparation, weeding, pruning, watering and general beautification of the largest urban park in the country. You will also have the good fortune to assist the Forest Park Forever staff with plans to organize and implement service projects relating to park
beautification (community service projects, corporate work days and school service commitments). Additional opportunities will allow you to select areas you have a particular talent involving special events, fundraising activities, educational programs and park stewardship efforts. Volunteers will also be able to enjoy the added benefit of attending horticulture workshops and lectures sponsored by Forest Park Forever Flora Conservancy Volunteer Want a great way to beautify one of St. Louis most beloved Parks? Why not volunteer with the Flora Conservancy of Forest Park and work in beautiful settings such as the Jewel Box, Pagoda Circle, the golf course and newly installed savanna and Steinberg prairies. Keep your green thumbs working all winter in the greenhouse of Forest Park assisting with seed plantings, propagating, and maintaining plants. When the weather warms up the volunteer group heads outside to prep beds and plant our winters work. All summer we meet to maintain the beds and keep them as weed free as we are able. Volunteer hours are generally Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00. St. Louis County Parks Come join us at the County Parks! We have Master Gardeners located at Creve Coeur, Faust, Museum of Transportation, Queeny and Tilles Parks. The garden at Queeny Park has been selected as a Plants of Merit Garden and also the All American Display Garden. You will volunteer three hours per session from mid April to late October. During this time we will plan, plant and maintain gardens for all to enjoy. See you there! Litzsinger Road Ecology Center There are two types of volunteer opportunities available at the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, education and horticulture. Horticulture volunteers at LREC meet on Tuesdays and/or Fridays from 9 to noon. The work involves a multitude of projects from planting and weeding to collecting and cleaning prairie seed to designing and building hardscapes and general maintenance on this 35-acre educational facility. Our site offers many diverse volunteer activities in prairies, woodlands, creek beds, raingardens and much more!! Our programs run year-round and we welcome all. Other opportunities to volunteer at LREC include assisting with native plant propagation, site preservation, or scientific investigations. Education volunteers lead small groups of students at Missouri Botanical Garden's Litzsinger Road Ecology Center. You will be working with schoolchildren on our 35 acre facility in the heart of metropolitan St. Louis. Managed by the Missouri Botanical Garden, LREC partners with students and educators to investigate and restore local ecosystems, including bottomland woodland, tall grass prairie, and a creek. Volunteer Educator training will begin on Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 and runs consecutive Mondays through Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During training, volunteers will become familiar with the site, learn inquiry-based teaching strategies, and gain an understanding of basic ecology. Trainees will have many opportunities to observe school groups and practice teaching. For more information about the LREC, visit www.litzsinger.org.
Operation Brightside Operation Brightside is the region s oldest not-for-profit cleaning and greening program. Some of our achievements include the daffodils blooming along area highways, the gardens at Lake Louie along I-64 at the 20th Street/Chestnut exit, the gardens and window boxes at City Hall as well as neighborhood greening projects. To beautify city neighborhoods, Operation Brightside sows over 250,000 annual seeds and distributes the seedlings to community volunteers in May. We begin sowing seeds in February and March at the Greenhouse in Forest Park. We also plant the window boxes and grow them at the greenhouse until they are placed on City Hall. Please note, most volunteer activities at the greenhouse require the volunteer to stand. May to November volunteer opportunities include: Planting at City Hall and in the Poelker Park Planters. Planting, maintaining and supervising groups of volunteers at Lake Louie. Serving as a mentor for neighborhood garden projects. Provide guidance and assistance, as needed, with plant selection, planting design and planting. Assisting with daffodil plantings and supervising groups of volunteers. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Operation Brightside, visit our web site: www.operationbrightside.org Forest ReLeaf/CommuniTree Gardens Volunteer CommuniTree Gardens is the site of Forest ReLeaf of Missouri s 4-acre tree nursery, now located in Creve Coeur Park at the intersection of Creve Coeur Mill Road and State Highway 364 (Page). The nursery was established by Forest ReLeaf in 1996 to grow donated seedlings into viable young trees to be given away at no cost for planting on public or nonprofit properties. Volunteers at the nursery assist with the overall care of the 3-gallon seedlings, working closely with more than 30 different species of native Missouri trees and shrubs. Regular tasks include potting, pruning and weeding. In addition, volunteers help the forester take inventory, tag trees, supervise short burst volunteer groups, and harvest trees. Volunteers may also assist with nursery maintenance, such as upkeep of the irrigation system and cleaning and repairing tools, and with the production of trees in a unique 15- gallon pot-in-pot system, where larger trees are grown for financially-underserved communities. Each year, approximately 5,000 free trees are distributed from the nursery for community plantings throughout the state and region. Volunteers work at the nursery year-round on most Wednesday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon. There are also some Monday, Friday and Saturday workdays scheduled on a seasonal basis during the potting and harvesting seasons. The Forestry Programs Manager takes advantage of teachable moments during the workdays to educate volunteers about community forestry and related arboriculture topics. Forest ReLeaf can accommodate volunteers who can assist once a month, once a week, or each workday. Nursery volunteers should have the ability and willingness to work in a variety of weather conditions and perform strenuous tasks. Light tasks can be assigned for volunteers with special needs. Individuals who plan to volunteer on a long-term basis are encouraged to complete the free, six-week TreeKeepers course offered by Forest ReLeaf in partnership with the St. Louis Community College system each year. An interest in trees and in improving communities is desired. Refreshments and water are provided for volunteers and ample parking is available on site. For more information about Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, visit www.moreleaf.org.