OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Master Gardeners recently elevated intern Veronica Grim to certification as an Iowa Master Gardener.  She took Master Gardener training in Fall 2022 and recently completed the 40 hour volunteer requirement and was presented with certificate and permanent name badge.  Veronica is a former Master Gardner who had been inactive for a number of years and took the training a second time to reinstate herself as an active member.

Iowa Master Gardener is a job title, describing a volunteer who has been trained to educate the public about horticulture and gardening.  To achieve Master Gardener Certification, candidates complete 40 hours of educational training and 40 hours of volunteer time in their inaugural year.  In ensuing years, a Master Gardener must complete 20 hours of volunteer time plus ten hours of approved advanced training, to maintain their certification.

Master Gardener training switched to online in 2020 and continues to be hybrid (meaning both online and in person).  Mahaska County will participate in the upcoming Winter Master Gardener training.  Persons interested in the Master Gardener Program can learn more by contacting Suzette Striegel at the Mahaska County  Extension office by email striegel@iastate.edu, phone 641-673-5841or by visiting the website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/   Online enrollment for the winter training is February 12, 2024.