Master gardener class offered in Big Lake
August 8, 2016
Debbie Carter
907-474-5406
Gardeners who wish to develop their green thumbs may sign up now for master gardener
training that begins Sept. 6 in Big Lake.
Classes will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, through Dec. 6, at the Big Lake Library.
Stephen Brown, the agriculture and horticulture agent for the University of ÐÓ°Épro
Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service in Palmer, will lead the classes.
The training provides a broad horticultural background. Topics include botany, soils,
vegetable production using organic and conventional techniques, integrated pest management,
greenhouses, lawns, houseplants, trees/shrubs, flowers and invasive plants.
Participants must complete 40 hours of community service involving horticulture to
become an ÐÓ°Épro master gardener. The fee of $300 includes materials and a copy of
Extension’s sustainable gardening handbook. Students who complete their community
service within one year of the class start date will receive a 50 percent registration
rebate.
Individuals may register online at or at the Extension district office at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, 1509 S. Georgeson
Road. For more information, contact Brown at 907-745-3639 or scbrown4@alaska.edu, or Melissa Clampitt at 907-745-3551 or mrclampitt@alaska.edu.