What's New

RECYCLE!

 Do something good for your community and our earth!

CASS COUNTY GOING GREEN

recycle trailer will be located on these dates in the following towns:

Murray:

Beaver Lake:

Union:

 Nehawka:

Murray residents should either use the curbside bins that PREMIER WASTE SOLUTIONS delivered or continue to use the Cass County Recycle trailer at the Murray Fire Station per the above schedule.)

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER?

In 2013 Extension Educators Vaughn Hammond, located at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City and Gary Lesoing from Nemaha County conducted the third Master Gardener Training Class in Southeast Nebraska since 2005. Forty-six new Master Gardeners have been trained in these classes and became certified Master Gardeners.

We are again making plans for a 2014 session if there is sufficient interest. Classes planned for the 2014 include 6 training sessions offered via computer. This method enables participants from all across Nebraska to receive the same initial core training. The presenters give programs from their offices and it is sent out live to the Master Gardener Training sites across Nebraska. Over 20 sites are connected to training using this technique. While this strategy is more efficient in reaching several people, participants in the program still want part of the program to be face- to- face meetings.

The Connect training is scheduled to begin on Tuesday evening, February 11th from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. These first Connect computer training sessions will be held on the following Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. (February 11, 18, 25 and March 4, 11, and 25).

Topics that will be covered during the Connect training include: Weed Identification, In-depth IMP (Integrated Pest Management), Pollinators and Beneficials/Flowers, Turf Basics, Diseases of Landscape Ornamentals and Basic Plant Propagation, respectively. Participants will be able to attend these Connect trainings in Auburn or Nebraska City. Following these computer Connect sessions, there will be face to face Master GardenerTraining classes beginning on April 1st.

These classes will be held each Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. from April 1st through May 20th. These classes will cover topics such as: Physiology and Morphology of Plants, Vegetables, Fertilizer and Soils, Small Fruit, Tree Fruit, Flower Bulbs and Trees for Southeast Nebraska.

These classes will be held in in Auburn or Nebraska City. The cost is $150 and includes a Master Gardener Training Manual and resources from UNL Extension that contain a wealth of information about horticultural issues. The remainder of the cost is used to pay a state fee of $5 for Master Gardeners and for administrative expenses, such as copying, postage and mileage for speakers.

There is one requirement with the Master Gardener Program that everyone needs to know. The Master Gardener Training is not just a gardening or horticulture class. Once a person completes the Master Gardener training, they are required to complete 40 hours of volunteer service in the area of gardening or horticulture. There will be a number of opportunities in the area to volunteer as a Master Gardener and complete the hours of service required for the program.

If you are interested in this program and becoming a Master Gardener or have questions about the schedule and locations of the trainings, feel free to contact Vaughn Hammond at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City at (402) 873-3166 or Gary Lesoing at the Nemaha County Extension office at 1824 'N' St. in Auburn (402) 274-4755. You can also find out about the program on the Internet at:http://www.mastergardener.unl.edu/become-a-master-gardener.