Feb. 1 - 5
Mon - Fri

Gardening for Dummies: 5-class series | 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This series of classes provides information on how to successfully plant a vegetable garden, care for your lawn, tips to correctly prune trees and shrubs, and other topics. See class schedule for detailed information.

Cost: $25.00
Instructor: Norma Samuel, Urban Horticulture agent
Place: Extension Office
Registration required
Deadline: January 16
Contact: Norma Samuel, 671-8400

Feb. 2
Tuesday

ServSafe® Commercial Food Handler Certification Training & Exam | 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Provides training which enables food manager and staff to offer Florida consumers food that is prepared in a clean and safe environment. more...

Cost: $110.00 for class and exam; $165.00 for class, exam and textbook
Instructor: Nancy Gal, FCS food safety and nutrition agent
Place: Extension classroom
Registration required
Contact: toll-free 888-232-8723

Mar. 4
Thursday

Home Buying Short Course: 4-class series | 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This series of classes is essential for home buyers who wish to avoid stressful, discouraging, time consuming, and costly road blocks. This short course consist of a series of four classes addressing issues related to purchasing a home. Dates/topics covered:

• Mar. 4: Goal Setting - In terms of the home buying process, this program will help the home buyer sort out the differences between wishes and goals in order to prepare for a realistic outcome.



• Mar. 11: Assembling Your Home Team - Learn how to select your home-buying professionals including realtors, inspectors, lenders, insurance agents.



• Mar. 18: Pre-purchase Preparation - This program breaks down the steps and tasks associated with the home search and selection. The intent is to inform and achieve goals specific to the individual’s home selection.



• Mar. 25: Financing and Closing - Considering closing costs and the duration of the mortgage agreement, it is essential to be an informed consumer. This program addresses concerns specific to the financial part of home buying.

Cost: $15.00
Instructor: Lynda Spence, FCS finance and housing agent
Place: Extension Service
Registration: required
Deadline: February 26
Contact: Lori Ball, 352-671-8400

Mar. 13 & 14
Sat - Sun

Master Gardener Spring Festival | Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Biggest plant sale and gardening expo in the area! Large variety of plants and garden décor, educational booths, in-garden talks and seminars including Growing Local, Eating Local, Solutions to Common Lawn Problems, Dooryard Fruit Production and more...

Admission: $1.00, kids 12 and under free
Place: Extension Service
Contact: Natasha Masciarelli, 352-671-8400
* No pets allowed

Apr. 13
Tuesday

Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate? | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The transfer of non-titled property is an issue that impacts families on multiple levels. All families have objects they place a sentimental value on. Having a plan in place has the potential for a casual exchange rather than a heated familial debate. This course teaches you how to put a plan in place for those sentimental items that are passed along in families.

Cost: FREE
Place: On Top of the World
Instructor: Lynda Spence, FCS Finance & Housing Agent
Place: Extension Office
Registration: required
Contact: www.masterthepossibilities.com or call 352-854-3699

Apr. 20
Tuesday

Automotive Upkeep for Dummies | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

This course teaches basic automobile upkeep, to keep your vehicle running good.

Cost: FREE
Place: On Top of the World
Instructor: Lynda Spence, FCS Finance & Housing Agent
Place: Extension Office
Registration: required
Contact: www.masterthepossibilities.com or call 352-854-3699

Dec. 7
Tuesday

4-H Holiday Bake Sale | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The annual 4-H Bake Sale is a community service project, where 4-H’ers compete for awards in different categories including drop, bar and roll. The cookies are then packaged in a large mixed variety and sold to the public. With the holidays fast approaching, these make great gifts. You will also be helping those less fortunate in our community, because all proceeds will be donated to the "Food 4 Kids" program.

Cost: $5.00 per container
Place: Extension auditorium
Contact/Pre-order*: 671-8413
*Due to limited quantities, pre-ordering is encouraged. Cookies MUST be picked up at the Extension Service.

Dec. 19
Friday

Agricultural Hall of Fame 2011 Deadline

Do you know someone, living or deceased, who has made tremendous achievements in the furtherance of agriculture in Marion County? The Marion County Extension Service is accepting nominations for the 2011 Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Selected candidates are inducted at the annual Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet, held in mid April.

Anyone can submit a nomination on behalf of a candidate. Application forms are available online.

Cost: Free
Place: Extension Service
Nomination Deadline: December 19
Contact: 352-671-8400