If you're a farmer or gardener living in Tompkins County, you're in luck – we have a group of trained Master Gardeners ready to help answer your questions about identifying and growing flowers, fruits, herbs, ornamental plants, turf, trees and wildlife.
County residents can take advantage of Growline, a program of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service of Tompkins County (CCETC), by emailing volunteers at growline@cornell.edu.
According to CCETC Agriculture and Horticulture Educator Ali Trombitas, the Growline is staffed with Master Garden Volunteers, “These MGVs also have access to CCE Tompkins Agriculture and Horticulture staff and Extension professionals across the state to answer their questions. So far this year, we've fielded over 250 inquiries.”
To get Growline's help with your garden troubles, send us a message detailing the problem, including multiple photos of the issue so our experts can diagnose it. Also include your phone number and email address so our experts can call you back to clarify any questions or forward any information if necessary.
You can also have Growline contact you by calling the Cooperative at (607) 272-2292, extension 161. If you get to voicemail, please provide your name, email address and phone number and a Growline volunteer will contact you.
Growline's booth at the Cornell Cooperative Extension plant sale this May.
How to join CCETC
If you think you or someone you know has what it takes to become a Master Gardener volunteer, hold on a moment's breath: To become a Master Gardener volunteer, you must complete a training course and commit 20 volunteer hours each year.
If you love gardening, have a desire to share your knowledge and skills, and are willing to volunteer in the community, please apply. Applications for this year's position will open at the end of June, according to the cooperative's website.
The cost of the training is $75, with an additional $50 deposit refunded upon completion of the required 20 volunteer hours. Full and partial scholarships are also available.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County also offers horticulture education programs, workshops and clubs for those interested in learning from certified experts and community guides on a wide range of topics, from parenting to pickling.
They are also seeking applicants for several full-time and part-time positions, ranging from assistant day camp director to 4-H issues leader to finance manager.
This article originally appeared in the Ithaca Journal: Grow Lines Grow from Cornell Cooperative Extension
