2010 Plants of Distinction Presentations
These presentations from the 2010 Plants of Distinction will be availble for you to download for a brief time. They have been converted to PDF format and will require an application such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.

Edible Landscape Ornamentals (24MB)  presentation by Mark Dwyer

Hortus mustus: Plants You’ve Gotta Have! (13MB)   presentation by Dr. Laura Deeter

Container Cornucopia  (45MB)   presentation by Mark Dwyer

Unusual Conifers (15MB)   presentation by Dr. Bert Cregg

We suggest that you right-click on the presentation name that you would like to download. From the pop-up list select (Save Target As..., Save Link As..., Download Linked File As...) and save to your computer. Due to the large size of these files and your internet connection speed it will take some time to complete downloads.

2010 Master Naturalist Program
Registrations for the 2009 Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program is now closed but if you are interested in the program, please ask to be placed on the 2010 Master Naturalist Waiting List. 
In case you are not familiar with the Master Naturalist program, it is similar to the Master Gardener program with a focus on conservation and the environment. 
The program consists of 25 hours of Education and then there is a 30-hour volunteer requirement to complete Master Naturalist certification.

The Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program is composed of a series of six classes which are offered on six different Saturdays mornings.  (In 2009, the classes were offered one a month from April through August.) 
The 2010 classes will be offered on a Saturday morning from 8:00-12:30 but the actual dates have not been determined.
The six locations vary but all locations are considered nature settings around the Grand Rapids area. 
The titles of the six classes are as follows: 
  Introduction & Conservation Theory and Practice
  Woodland Wildflowers
  Trees and Shrubs
  Wetlands
  Invasives Plants
  Prairie Environments.
 
Information on the 2010 Master Naturalist will be available after March 8, 2010.  
If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for the 2010 Master Naturalist class, then download the 2010 Waiting list registration form. 
Fill out the form and mail it back to Ginny Wanty at 775 Ball Avenue, Grand Rapids MI 49503.  Once placed on the waiting list then you will receive the 2010 class brochure earlier than others.
 
If you have questions regarding the Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program, please contact Ginny Wanty, Master Naturalist Program Coordinator at 616-336-3108 or at wanty@msu.edu

Forms and Documents to download:
    2010 Master Naturalist Waiting list registration form
 
 

These are pre-approved volunteer opportunities, please obtain approval from the Master Gardener Coordinator to apply your volunteer hours on a project that is not listed here. 
** Indicates a newer project. Please notify John Choals at 336-3283 if you reply to a posting.

Volunteer Opportunities (Extension Related):

Opportunities coming soon...

Volunteer Opportunities (Personal Choice):

Opportunities coming soon...

Kent/MSU Extension horticulture staff assist county residents in accessing research-based educational programs, information and materials that applies to

• home gardens
• lawns
• landscaping
• annuals
• bulbs
• perennials
• diseases
• insects
• pruning
• turf grass
• vegetable gardening
• small tree fruits
• soil testing
• other plant-related topics.

Another resource your Kent County Extension office has is access to the Michigan Master Gardener Program. You may ask "what is the Master Gardener Program?" and the answer would be: "Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application. Applicants attend classes in their county, learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community." Contact your county Extension office and talk with a Master Gardener volunteer with your specific questions, or talk about your interest in being a volunteer involved with this program!

MSU Extension Staff with Horticulture Expertise:

Rebecca Finneran, Horticulture Agent
finneran@msu.edu
616-336-3265

Master Gardener Program & Hotline
616-336-3881

"The Mission of the Kent/MSU Extension Master Gardener Program is to reach out to educate our diverse community by integrating research-based, horticultural knowledge and volunteer experiences to inspire gardening and environmental stewardship."

If you would like to visit the Grand Ideas Garden you may use one of the following links for a map.
775 Ball Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Google Map
Mapquest
Microsoft Live Map
 

Online Volunteer Record Keeping System
Volunteer Record Keeping Help

The newsletter will be mailed to active Kent/MSU Extension Master Gardeners. If you would like an additional copy, please download one below:

Green Pages Winter 2010

Green Pages Summer 2009
 
 

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

 Master Gardener
The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension. 

Ornamental Plants Plus
MSU Extension full text database on cultivars, diseases, and pests, management and planting. Very comprehensive. 

MSU Diagnostic Center
From the Diagnostic Center, information on the kinds of tests they run, how to take them, and the costs.

MSU Gardens
Links to many of the gardens, some with virtual tours. You will need to scroll down to see the listing.

MSU Bulletin System
Many bulletins on gardening topics, some online.