The Alaska Correspondence Master Gardener Program

The classroom Master Gardener courses taught by District Agents are a FAR SUPERIOR educational experience than taking the Master Gardener course by  correspondence! You just can't get the sharing of personal experiences, really up-to-date information, and familiarization with people who are good information contacts in the correspondence  materials. Not to mention the hands-on stuff and the fun of  meeting other people with similar interests! However, Agents can't reach every one who is interested in a state  as large as Alaska, so the correspondence option is still a good one..... for some self-motivated people!

Presently, the correspondence version of the Master Gardener Course is available only to those who live outside of areas where the course is regularly taught. Extension Agents feel that the one-on-one contact with students is a very important part of the training, as is the contacts made with the other students taking the course. The Master Gardener training course has been offered in 29 communities in Alaska. If you would like to have a course taught in your community, contact your closest Extension office and let them know do so a course can be scheduled.
 

The Alaska Master Gardener  Correspondence Program consists of twelve lessons that will guide you through some of the important principles that an Alaska Master Gardener should know. The materials are meant to compliment the "real gardening information" found in the recently updated Alaska Gardener's Manual. You may purchase this manual from:

Cooperative Extension Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO BOX 75-8155
Fairbanks, AK 99775-8155

You can also find lots of information in Alaska's public libraries (in remote areas, contact Regional Services at 907-459-1037 or email regional@muskox.alaska.edu) and on the world wide web. Check-out the Alaska Master Gardeners' website too!

If you have any questions, or just want to chat about what's happening in your garden or landscape, give me a call at Phone: 907-746-9461
email ffhbr@uaf.edu

Happy Gardening!

Introductory Packet (pfd)

1) If you are interested in the course, contact Heidi Rader, Correspondence Program Coordinator:
 
    Heidi Rader
    Agriculture and Horticulture Agent with CES
    Tanana Chiefs Conference
    122 1st Avenue, Suite 600
    Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

    Phone:   (907) 452-8251, Ext. 3477
    Fax:       (907) 459-3954
    Email:    ffhbr@uaf.edu
 
Enrollment materials, a pre-test, and the first lesson will then be mailed to you.

2) Order the Alaska Gardener's Manual  from:

Cooperative Extension Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO BOX 75-8155
Fairbanks, AK 99775-8155

3) Fill-in the enrollment materials, take the pre-test, study the lesson material and complete the lesson review activity.

4) Return the enrollment materials, the pre-test, and the lesson review to:

Heidi Rader
Agriculture and Horticulture Agent with CES
Tanana Chiefs Conference
122 1st Avenue, Suite 600
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

6) A comprehensive, open-book exam will be mailed when all of the lessons are completed.

7) Once all of the lessons and the open-book exam are satisfactorily completed, and your volunteer activity is underway, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and you will be an Alaska Master Gardener!

1)    Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy: Chapters 1, 22 and glossary

2)    Soil and Fertilizers: Chapter 2

3)    Plant Propagation and Pruning: Chapter 3 and 4

4)    Composting and Water Quality: Chapters 5 and 6

5)    Vegetables: Chapter 7

6)    Landscape Gardening: Chapters 8 and 9

7)    Fruit and Berry Crops: Chapters 10 and 11

8)    Lawn Care: Chapter 12

9)    Houseplants: Chapter 13

10)    Entomology and Vertebrate Pest: Chapters 14 and 18

11)    Plant Disease: Chapters 15 and 16

12)    Weed Management, IPM, Pesticides: Chapters 17, 19 and 20.

13)    Comprehensive Open-Book Exam