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Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener?
Take the first step with UW Extension!
Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening is an online, complete-at-your-own-pace introductory course offered by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program. The course is designed for anyone who wants to improve their gardening skills, regardless of experience level. Participants learn key concepts for selecting, growing, and maintaining plants—from trees to houseplants to vegetables and everything in between! The course runs Sept. 8–Dec. 7, 2024.
This course also serves as an approved learning opportunity to become a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener. It is the first step in a two-step process to join the program. For more information on how to become a Master Gardener, visit mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/join.
At the end of Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening, participants will be able to:
Link gardening practices and biology concepts to prevent plant problems.
Explain how to select, grow, and maintain a wide range of plants.
Identify strategies to reduce and manage plant problems.
Explain what Integrated Pest Management is and how it benefits gardeners and the environment.
The course includes 14 modules with videos featuring Extension specialists, virtual activities, readings, and additional resources. This course also incorporates live webinars with Extension specialists who present on their areas of expertise and answer questions from participants.
Participants can dig deeper into important horticulture concepts by registering for additional online lab sessions led by Extension educators. In these labs, learners apply knowledge from the online modules to real-life gardening situations. Labs are held via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing. The online labs are available for purchase for an additional fee.
Early bird registration is open from July 15-Aug. 12, 2024. Register at the early bird rate of $299, which includes an electronic version of course manual (PDF). Hard copies of the manual can be purchased at time of registration. Need-based scholarships are available during early bird registration, for those who are eligible for financial assistance. Find more information about this course at go.wisc.edu/ExtGardenFoundations.
Questions? Contact the course moderator, Amy Freidig at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu
The UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program provides research-based horticulture information to Wisconsin gardeners so they can make informed decisions that keep their plants healthy while protecting the environment.
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!
Scholarship applications for the Fall 2024 course cycle will become available beginning July 15, 2024 through August 12. Please see the course website for up-to-date scholarship information.
Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis only during the Early Bird course registration window (July 15- August 12, 2024). Scholarships will not be awarded after the Early Bird registration period, ending on August 12, 2024.
If applying for a scholarship, do not register for the class using the general registration link! UW Extension will send scholarship awardees their own personal registration link. Wait to hear from UW Extension before registering.
After you fill out the scholarship application form, a staff person from UW Extension will be in contact with you within one business week. If you have any questions, please contact them at: gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu
UW Extension cannot guarantee all applicants will receive scholarships due to their limited availability.
A scholarship brings the course fee down to $199 + additional optional fees (hard copy of manual, labs). (Early Bird course fee is $299/regular course fee is $325 + additional optional fees (hard copy of manual, labs).
Still have questions? Contact the course moderator, Amy Freidig at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu