Abstract
University of Idaho Extension's Idaho Master Gardener Program in Latah County fulfills a long-term need for local horticultural knowledge and service. The Situation Latah County is predominantly rural with over a century of agricultural and gardening activity. Recent generations have relied more heavily on the purchase of fresh food rather than growing it themselves. Gaining knowledge on the most effective methods for home-based fruit and vegetable production as well as landscaping are important to the citizens of Latah County and the Palouse region. This has become even more imperative since a large influx of new residents in the county have come from different climates. The UI Extension office receives over 100 requests for help each year with plant and tree problems. Master gardeners are trained to help with these issues. The master gardener program was started by Washington State University Extension in 1973. All 50 states, including 36 out of 44 Idaho counties, have a formal master gardener certification program. Our Response University of Idaho Extension's Idaho Master Gardener Program is offered annually from February to May for Latah County. The UI Extension office has offered a master gardener program since the 1980's. The classes are held once per week for a total of 42 hours of instruction. Master gardener students receive research based education in horticulture and gardening on a range of topics including entomology, pesticide use, landscape design, water conservation methods, fruit tree pruning, weed identification, plant diseases and how to diagnose plant problems. These courses are taught mainly by UI Extension faculty and a few other volunteer experts. Students who complete the course and 30 hours of service within the year can become a certified Idaho master gardener. Latah County partners with UI Extension to provide a part-time master gardener coordinator who organizes the annual course, plant clinic and certification process. Latah County's small farms and horticulture UI Extension educator teaches and oversees the program. Certified Idaho Master Gardeners renovated a demonstration garden in downtown Moscow in 2023.