The Catskill Chronicle

Master Gardeners will train county educators and youth workers

FERNDALE, NY (April 2, 2012) – The Master Gardener’s Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County is holding a new garden training series for county educators and youth workers.

The first session is from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Ferndale. 

The $50 cost includes lunch. Educators can earn up to .5 Continuing Education Units per session.

The first session is an introduction to garden based learning entitled “Plant a Seed, Inspire Interest.”  All the information is research based and connects gardens to all sectors of work and education. In this class, educators will learn how to develop a garden program that promotes positive youth development, opportunities for community leadership and volunteer participation, and review tips on effective teaching methods.

An in depth overview of Cornell Garden-Based Learning (CGBL) will be reviewed. Groups new to garden-based learning or groups struggling to get participants involved in their efforts and program structure will particularly benefit from this session.

The second session will be titled “Tend the Garden,” while the last session will be “Building Capacity/Train the Trainer.”  These will be offered at a later date.

The fee must be included with registration, which should include name, address, phone, e-mail and school district. Checks should be payable to “CCE Sullivan County/ MGP” and sent to Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754. For more information, call 845-292-5250.