Anyone with a lively interest in gardening and a desire to learn by helping others can apply to become an Arkansas Master Gardener through a new Saturdays-only summer training program offered in Little Rock.
Master Gardeners is the service corps of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. In exchange for a training fee, county dues (where they apply) and an agreement to give 40 hours a year to Master Gardener projects in their home counties, recruits receive 40 hours of horticulture training, an informative notebook and a chance to be part of a crew of local gardeners.
People accepted for the class will train in Little Rock at the state extension office at 2301 S. University Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays from July 12 through Aug. 9.
But they will belong to their county's Master Gardeners group. They'll pay county dues (in counties that charge them), attend an orientation session in their county and take 20 hours of continuing education programs there.
The $125 training fee covers materials and daily lunch. Cooperative Extension Service employees, horticulture professionals and other specialists will conduct the training in basic botany, principles of horticulture, soils and fertilizers, vegetables, home fruit production, ornamental plants, lawns, pest control and pesticide use.
Participants will be selected based upon county needs and the results of interviews.
County Master Gardener leaders will review the applications and decide whom to interview. Deadline for applying is June 6.
For more information, contact Janet Carson at (501) 671-2174 or email at [email protected].
HomeStyle on 05/10/2014