Penn State Cooperative Extension in Carbon County is now accepting applications for the 2021 Penn State Extension Master Gardener program.

This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others. Weekly classes will be held from Nov. 1 through April 18, 2022.

No prior experience is required, as all volunteers go through a 40-hour basic training in horticultural science. Trainees must then complete 50 hours of volunteer service within their first year to achieve their official Master Gardener certification. The best qualifications for an applicant are a love for learning and a passion for sharing horticultural knowledge with others.

Volunteer activities currently carried out by Master Gardeners in Carbon County include the Food Security project, in which participants learn to grow food in their home gardens with the help of Master Gardeners, and the Green Line, a free service that individuals can call or email for help with plant diagnostics as well as general gardening advice.

There is a program fee of $200 to cover the cost of training materials and expenses (financial aid available upon request). Applications are being accepted through Sept. 24.

Contact Josie Marino for an application by calling 570-325-2788.

A virtual information session will be held on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.