The Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Kalamazoo County has approximately 300 active Master Gardeners at this time.  The Michigan Master Gardener office sets the guidelines for becoming and maintaining certification as a Master Gardener.   For more interesting facts about the Kalamazoo County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, click here.

After completing the Master Gardener classes, candidates volunteer their time in the community and report their hours either in the online reporting system, or on hardcopy forms (for those who do not have Internet access).  Volunteer and education opportunities are made available to the volunteers to assist them in completing the hours needed to obtain and maintain their certification.

 HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE MASTER GARDENER CLASS:

The Winter 2010 Class is full

Watch this spot for Fall 2010 class information or contact one of the staff below to be put on the notification list for the fall class.

Linda Whitlock, Coordinator at whitlo13@msu.edu (269-383-8815)

or Karen Smeltzer at smeltze6@msu.edu (269-384-8197)

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PICTURES OF MASTER GARDENERS AT 'WORK' - Click here to view pictures

 

Community Gardens around Kalamazoo County in 2009

Several gardening projects were undertaken this year in Kalamazoo County with the assistance from our Program Educators and Master Gardeners.  Gardens included home vegetable gardens to help promote healthy eating, flower gardens for community beautification, and community project gardens which donated produce to local families and food banks.

 

Click here to view pictures of this year's gardening projects around our area and some of the volunteers who made it happen!  (photographs by Maureen Cartmill, Master Gardener)

 

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Master Gardener Volunteer and Education Opportunities - click here

                                                                                                                                   Online Master Gardener Volunteer and Education Hours Reporting System

 Certification Requirements and Volunteer Categories

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!! SHOW YOUR MASTER GARDENER SPIRIT !!

Order your Master Gardener Apparel "spirit wear" (click here)

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COOKING WITH THE MASTERS!

Recipes from Master Gardeners' kitchens 

Cookbooks are available to purchase 

$15 each

Click here for an order form 

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~  GARDENING BOOKS FOR SALE ~

Build or update your Gardening Library.

Books are available to order through the Master Gardener program.

Click here for complete order form.

Summer 2007,  Fall 2007,  Winter 2008,

Winter 2009, Summer 2009, Fall 2009

The Kalamazoo County Master Gardener Association (KCMGA) was started by Master Gardeners in Kalamazoo County to serve as an opportunity for certified Master Gardeners to come together as a group to share experiences  and comaraderie, share education with the community, and provide education to its membership by scheduling speakers to present information at their monthly meetings.  The KCMGA also sponsors summer garden walks in the community showcasing a variety of gardens and landscaping as educational opportunities to its membership.

Contact Julie Simonds, Membership Chairman with questions:  668-4467 or Juliesi2@msn.com. 

 2009 Meeting Schedule

PLEASE NOTE NEW MEETING LOCATION:

Meetings will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - 1747 W. Milham, Portage

September 21 - Annual Pot luck and plant exchange.  Doors open at 5:30; Pot luck at 6:00; meeting at 7:00 p.m. 

                              Program will be a recap of summer activities by local Master Gardeners.

October 19 - Meeting; doors open at 6:30; meeting at 7:00. 

                       Program will be Food Preservation by Paula and David Harper.

November 16 - Meeting; doors open at 6:30; meeting at 7:00.

                            Program will be Foods from Michigan Soils by Deanna House (reservations needed).

                     Contact Patti Pittman, President at pattipitt@aol.com or call 388-5880

The KCMGA participates with the MSU Extension-Kalamazoo County Master Gardener Volunteer program.   

General Meeting Minutes                                                            

2008  -  January   March   May   September  October   November      

2009 -  January    March   May   September  October   November                                              

Association Newsletters

 2008 -  September 2008      October 2008     November 2008

 2009 -  January 2009      March 2009      May 2009      September 2009     October 2009  November 2009

 2010 -  January 2010

 Board Meeting Minutes   

 2008 - February   April   November    December 

2009 - February       November

Upcoming workshops & events: 

VEGGIE 101 CLASSES

6-week series (12 total hours):  Mondays, March 22-April 26 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

at the Health & Community Services Bldg., Georgian & Walnut Room

3299 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo

OR

1 ^1/2 day session (12 total hours):  Friday, March 26 & Saturday, March 27

at the Health & Community Services Bldg., Georgian & Walnut Room

3299 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo

~ Click Here for Brochure/Registration Form~

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State Master Gardener Conference at MSU

Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1

~ Watch this spot for more details and registration information ~

To see a complete calendar of special events coming up for Master Gardeners, click here.

Watch this site for the next Training Program available.

Helpful researched horticulture information  links are available regarding insect and plant disease questions as well as other gardening information.

Your facility may request Master Gardener Volunteers to help design your garden areas, teach to a group or at an event, or be part of an on-going gardening beautification project.  Click here for a form to request Master Gardener Volunteer assistance.  After filling out the form, you may fax it to the Kalamazoo County MSU Extension office at (269) 384-8035 or mail it to:  Linda Whitlock, MSU Extension-Kalamazoo County, PO Box 42, Nazareth, MI  49074-0042.

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Donations are also accepted to help with costs to run the Kalamazoo County Master Gardener program.  Donation forms are available here or you may contact Linda Whitlock, Coordinator, for more information.

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