Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu Nov 20 09:45:32 1997


                        November 20, 1997
 
Master Gardener Program Begins Jan. 17 in North Dakota
 
     North Dakota's Master Gardener program will run from Jan. 17
to Feb. 28 at Interactive Video Network sites in Fargo, Grand
Forks, Wahpeton, Jamestown, Bismarck and Minot, according to Ron
Smith, horticulturist at North Dakota State University and
coordinator of the program.
     The course will cover the basics of horticultural practice,
from flower to vegetable gardening, and will be taught through
lectures and demonstrations.  Cost of the program is $60 for
participants who agree to use the knowledge they acquire in the
course to help others in their community by doing 48 hours of
volunteer service.  The cost is $120 for those who do not sign up
for the volunteer program.  
     Any participant may also take the course for continuing
education units. In this case an additional fee will be charged
based on the units granted.
     Registration forms are available at county offices of the
NDSU Extension Service, or from Ron Smith, NDSU Department of
Plant Sciences, Box 5051, Fargo, ND 58105.  Registration is due
Jan. 5, after which a late fee of $15 will be charged.
     "The subjects for this year's Master Gardener program will
be taught by specialists, including some of the best teachers in
the College of Agriculture at NDSU," says Smith.  "The Master
Gardener program received very good reviews in 1996.  About 156
people completed the course.  We expect enrollment to be about
the same this year.  Space is limited in the classrooms, so
participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served
basis."
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NDSU Agriculture Communication
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866