Even though the gardening season is winding down, we can still immerse ourselves in garden-themed activities.

WSU Extension in Kitsap County is offering Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Overview Course. Registration forms can be found at http://kitsap.wsu.edu/ag/sustainable_ag_class.htm. This course is for anyone interested in developing a small acreage farm or ranch using sustainable practices. Learn what it takes to have a sustainable small acreage farm or ranch and take a realistic look at goals, resources needed and opportunities available. Guest farmers speak to the class and field trips are taken to local farms.

The course is offered at two locations: Thursdays Sept. 18 through Dec. 11 at Long Lake Community Hall and Wednesdays Sept. 17 through Dec. 10 at Island Lake Community Center. Classes are from 6-9 p.m. The course is open to academic students and community members for continuing education units. Course fee is $225 for individual, family or farm. The cost includes textbooks and materials. For more information contact Arno Bergstrom (360) 337-7225 or awbergstrom@wsu.edu. This course is offered as part of the Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Education program.

The 2009 WSU Extension Kitsap Master Gardener Program volunteer educator training begins on Fridays from Jan. 9 through April 10. The classes are 8:30 a.m. through 4:15 p.m. Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who bring WSU research-based information and education to the public. Master Gardeners are one of the faces of the university in our community. Each person who completes the Master Gardener program 13-week course completes 72 hours of horticulture education. Course tuition and materials fee is $225. Scholarships and/or payment options are available.

When classes are complete, between the months of April through October, Master Gardener interns spend a minimum of 50 hours in their communities teaching people to garden successfully and to use environmentally friendly techniques. Additionally, Master Gardeners learn how to identify plants, insects, plant diseases and plant problems. They also learn about native plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and weeds. They don’t become overnight experts on plants and the environment, but they do become able resources and researchers of answers for citizens of Kitsap County. They may not always have an immediate answer, but they’ll always find the answer or someone who knows the answer.

We have 232 Master Gardeners in Kitsap County ranging from the fairly young age of 20 to the more mature age of older than 80. Half of our Master Gardeners work full time and 35 percent of the Master Gardeners make their living in the field of horticulture. As the horticulture educator for WSU Kitsap County, and the coordinator of the Master Gardener Program here, I am honored to know these 232 individuals. Their energies, ideas, expertise and community service are dedicated to their families, friends, neighbors and residents in Kitsap and Pierce County on our peninsula. Application packets are mailed out via e-mail (or postal mail for those without e-mail) on October 15 each year. Visit http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/mg_application_request.htm to place your name on the list to receive an application. You can also call the Extension Office at (360) 337-7224 to be placed on the application request list. If you reach voice mail, please leave your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

• Civil
• Smart
• On-topic
• Free from profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by registering for an account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and drive-by commenters.

As a community site, we ask that the community help by using the "Flag" button on each comment if they feel the comment has violated the rules. You can also use the up and down arrows on each comment to voice your opinion about that particular comment.

Want to tell us something but you don't want it to be public? Talk to us privately.