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- Ascension Gardeners Complete Master Gardener Training
Members of the 2024 Ascension Master Gardener Course pose for a picture at LSU Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge. Photo by Mariah Simoneaux.
The Ascension Master Gardener Association and Ascension LSU AgCenter are happy to announce the completion of their recent Louisiana Master Gardener Training Course. A graduation ceremony was held to celebrate and welcome the twenty-seven new Louisiana Master Gardeners on November 20 in conjunction with the Ascension Master Gardener Harvest Social. Congratulations to Tabitha Adams. Keith Beaucoudray, Carlos Bell, Mark Cavalier, Tracie Cavalier, Debi Coffman, Matthew Davidson, Rachel Davidson, Paula Dunn, Amber Franta, Stephanie Gardner, Flo Hernandez, Stacey Jackson, Hellen Kabati, Michael Latiolas, Jacqueline Lea, Cynthia Mahony, Linda Marchand, Gary Marchand, Patrick Nerney, Kay'd Odland, Ugomma Joy Okolie, Diane Roark, Charlotte Sanchez, Chandan Sharma, Francelia Smith, and Wendell Smith on completing this year’s course.
This year’s course was held August 6 – November 5. Classes were conducted each Tuesday at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The curriculum was composed of approximately 40 hours of coursework. Students also enjoyed two field trips during the course, the first to the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, where they were joined by members of the Livingston, Tangipahoa and the Feliciana classes, and the second to Hilltop Arboretum. Lectures and labs were presented by LSU AgCenter agents and specialists and a few very knowledgeable Ascension Master Gardeners. Dale Bowman, Richard Babin and Marilyn Rice taught the highly anticipated and hands-on plant propagation class and Craig Roussel who shared his years of experience during the vegetable class.
Louisiana Master Gardener is a volunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service. Master Gardener volunteers are highly trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs and outreach. The volunteer aspect of the Louisiana Master Gardener Program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to the citizens of their community by applying the science and art of horticulture. When the recent graduates complete their initial forty hours of volunteer service they will earn the title of Certified Louisiana Master Gardener.