Learning has never been so fun . . . . . . . . .

With hands-on lessons, a community garden is better than a textbook and beats a dry lecture any day. DUG offers training and education programs that make learning interactive and engaging. Through DUG, gardeners can take part in workshops about herbs, composting, tractors, food preservation, water conservation, gardening with children and more.

Workshop topics include:

Horticulture and organic gardening
Urban ecology and resource conservation
Youth skills training and entrepreneur programs
Composting and recycling
Horticulture therapy for challenged individuals
Effective community garden management

Introducing DUG's newest program, Master Community Gardener Program:

DUG's Master Community Gardener Training Program is a 10-week course designed to train community leaders in community organizing as well as basic horticultural skills growing vegetables and fruits in Colorado. This hands-on course teaches participants the skills they need to create and maintain strong, vibrant and sustainable community gardens.

For an informational flyer, click here. For an application and class schedule, click here.

Applications are now being accepted until January 16, 2009.

Master Composter Program: changing the culture of waste

Ready to dig in the dirt? DUG, in partnership with Denver Recycles and Metro Wastewater, facilitates the Master Composter Program Training and Outreach program.

The Master Composter Program is a ten-session course training individuals to be Master Composters and, in turn, equipping participants to share their newly acquired knowledge with others in the community.

Through hands-on sessions, Master Composter Program participants learn about a broad range of compost and recycling topics, including resource conservation and the effective use of recycled household materials in gardens and home landscapes.

Once trained, participants spread the word and share conservation information with others at the Gove Community Garden Compost Demonstration site, as well as at schools and outdoor markets. In addition, DUG and the trained volunteers will present a series of Master Composter seminars throughout the Denver metro-area.

The 2009 program is currently accepting applications. Click here for more information and for the class schedule. If you have reviewed this information and are still interested, call Judy Elliott at DUG at 303.292.9900 to schedule an interview.

Free Learn to Compost Classes

Composting is good for your yard and garden, good for the environment, easy to do and fun! Compost can retain 100% of its weight in water and is an important component of gardening in a drought.

Backyard "Learn to Compost" classes are free, but participants are asked to register at least one week before the class, so proper staffing can be arranged.

All classes are held at the Denver Backyard Composting Demonstration Site located in Denver Urban Gardens' Gove Community Garden at E. 13th Ave. and Colorado Blvd.

These classes are sponsored by Denver Recycles/Solid Waste Management, Denver Urban Gardens and the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.

The 2008 classes are now over. Check back in early spring for the 2009 schedule. They will start in May and continue until October 2009.