Nine residents become

Courtesy Photo

The master gardeners are pictured: Rhonda Johnson, Nikki Morlas, Gretchen McDonald, RobertUsher,Mike Humphreys, Beverly Beard, Shirley Gautreaux, Shirley Hopper and Linda Boudreaux.

St. Charles Parish County Agent, Rene' Schmit of the LSU AgCenter, presented certificate awards to nine graduates in recognition of their completing 64 hours of course work toward certification as a Louisiana Master Gardener.

The course work involved participants receiving instruction on 16 horticulture subject matter areas that included Botany, Plant Propagation, Soils and Fertility, Insects, Lawn Management, Weeds, Plant Diseases, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Pesticides and Safety, Butterfly Gardening, Vegetable Gardening, Garden Tools and Tips, Tree Care and Maintenance, Fruit Tree Production, and Organic Gardening.  Instructional training was provided by Ph.D. horticulture specialists, County Agents and certified Louisiana Master Gardeners of the LSU AgCenter with training sessions conducted at the St. Charles Parish County Agent's Extension office in Luling.  In addition to the specialized training, graduates will donate 40 hours of volunteer service in assisting the horticulture educational efforts of the LSU AgCenter. 
 The master gardeners were: Rhonda Johnson, Nikki Morlas, Gretchen McDonald,  RobertUsher,Mike Humphreys, Beverly Beard, Shirley Gautreaux, Shirley Hopper and Linda Boudreaux.