As we approach 2004, it is time to train another group of Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Extension Master Gardeners are Douglas County gardening enthusiasts who share an interest in giving back to their community. They come from all walks of life and have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The Douglas County Extension office is recruiting residents to become part of the E.M.G. program. Take the following quiz to see if you are a good candidate for the program. If you answer “yes” to one or more of the questions, then consider becoming an E.M.G. volunteer.

• Do you already have the Extension horticulture hotline number on your speed dial?
• When attending your child’s soccer game, do you inspect the field for crabgrass?
• Do you have at least one garden tool held together with duct tape?
• Do you know the precise botanical name of every plant in your yard but have difficulty remembering the names of your spouse and grandchildren?
• Do you clip your child’s hair into topiary forms?
• Have you ever been overheard discussing the pros and cons of sterilizing garden soil in your oven at a dinner party?
• Do you enjoy receiving a load of well-rotted manure for a special occasion?
• Do you have a bumper sticker that reads: “I brake for worms,” “I’d rather be weeding” or “Manure Happens.”
• Were you disappointed to learn that you could not order vegetable seeds from L.L. Bean?

The Extension Master Gardener program has been an active part of our community for more than 15 years. There are more than 75 E.M.G. volunteers who donated more than 3,800 hours of their time this year helping to educate fellow gardeners. If you are interested in learning more about becoming an E.M.G. volunteer, contact my office.