Becoming a Master Gardener

Penn State Cooperative Extension is starting its recruitment drive for a new class of Master Gardeners early this year. This year’s set of classes will be taught via a remote video connection with Extension horticulture educators from throughout the state and the University. Franklin County Cooperative Extension is looking for 15 motivated people willing to become a part of our volunteer force to help in its land grant mission to bring research-based knowledge about consumer horticulture to the general public. In exchange for extensive training, Master Gardeners are asked to provide throughout the first program year, 50 hours of volunteer time, selected among the following activities: covering the phone hot-line during the growing season (April 15-October 15), teaching workshops, manning information booths, assisting in research, establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens, fulfilling speaker requests, and helping with funding-raising and publicity efforts, like our Plant Sale, Tomato Taste Day, and Fall Garden Tour that help keep the program sustainable. In subsequent years, 20 hours of volunteer time, and 8 hours of continuing education are required to maintain your Master Gardener status.

This year’s classes will be on Tuesdays here at the Extension Office from 1:00-4:00 p.m., starting on March 1, 2011 and continuing weekly for 13 weeks.   The fee is $100.00.

If you are interested in becoming a Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, we invite you to attend one of two information sessions that have been scheduled, either Tuesday, January 11th, or Tuesday, January 18th, both at 1:00 p.m.  Follow the links above for more information about us.   Penn State Cooperative Extension of Franklin County can be reached at 263-9226.