Cooperative Extension celebrates 100 years of service

This Thursday, May 6, from 3:30 to 7 p.m., WSU Extension is having a celebration and you're invited.

They are celebrating 100 years of service to the community, in the form of agricultural research and garden assistance. There are several programs under the WSU Extension umbrella. One of the most visible is the Master Gardener program, of which I'm pleased to be a member.

As Master Gardeners, we provide assistance to local gardeners who need plant problems diagnosed, or plant material ideas for their landscape, or education on the many different aspects of gardening. We man the plant clinic in the Extension office at 222 N. Havana St. every Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from March through October.

Clients can walk into the clinic for help, call us or email us. It's a fabulous, FREE service! There's more information about the plant clinic and links to free gardening fact sheets on our website.

We also have information booths at plant sales, home and garden shows, the county fair and other events. Late in April, we hosted our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale, which was a huge success.

If you'd like to come to the Extension's centennial celebration on Thursday, here are the types of events that will be taking place: classes on raising goats in the urban environment; food tastings, recipes and demonstrations from the Food $ense program; information tables on the Community Gardens and Small Farms programs; demonstrations in the raised bed demonstration garden (I'll be working there); Master Composters will show how to turn pine needles and yard debris into a soil amendment; and a tasting of baked tree bark.

I hope you can come learn more about all of the marvelous programs WSU Extension has to offer and also show your support!