Do you live in the Marquette, Michigan, area and want to learn more about gardening? Do you enjoy meeting others who have a passion for gardening? Would you like to share the knowledge and skills you learn and know about gardening with others? If so, then register now for the upcoming Master Gardener class in Marquette. Online registration has been extended to Aug. 15. The class meets once a week and offers 14 weeks of instruction on informational garden topics, such as plant science, vegetables, annuals and perennials, fruit and many more.

All participants receive a more than 1,000-page instruction manual with valuable resources and they can connect with a variety of Michigan State University Extension professionals who teach the class. The Marquette program will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 through Nov. 16. It will be held at the Learning Resource Center on the Northern Michigan University campus. Partial scholarships are available, but they must be applied for online by July 31.

The Master Gardener program is a volunteer training program offered through Michigan State University Extension that focuses on all aspects of gardening. Participants complete a 14-week educational course and then complete a 40-hour volunteer community project that educates the public about gardening. To remain certified as a Master Gardener in subsequent years, one must annually complete additional educational and volunteer hours. Within the Upper Peninsula, there are over 80 certified Master Gardeners and trainees gaining certification. Volunteer projects and education include environmental stewardship, youth gardening, improving communities and increasing food security.

In the Marquette area, a group of Master Gardeners from the 2015 course initiated a volunteer project at the Women’s Federated Club House. Together, Susan Becker, Brenda Hershey, Linda Roncaglione and Ron Rossway designed and created a garden at the Club House, and now they guide others on how to maintain it. Currently, this project involves 100 people from various groups, such as American Association of University Women, Zonta International, Lake Superior Partnership, the Lions Club and students from elementary schools. Future plans include creation of an educational brochure.